2020-09-01: Main Rotor Gearbox

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-24-04, Amendment 39-15744 (73 FR 71530, November 25, 2008), and adding the following new AD: \n\n2020-09-01 Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France): Amendment 39-21112; Docket No. FAA-2017-0404; Product Identifier 2015-SW-066-AD. \n\n(a) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France) Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters, certificated in any category, with a main gearbox (MGB) lubrication pump (pump) part number 355A32-0700-01, 355A32-0700-02, or 355A32-0701-00, except helicopters with Modification (MOD) 077222 installed. \n\n(b) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD defines the unsafe condition as insufficient lubrication within an MGB. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in failure of the MGB pump, seizure of the MGB, loss of drive to an engine and main rotor, and subsequent loss of helicopter control. \n\n(c) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tThis AD replaces AD 2008-24-04, Amendment 39-15744 (73 FR 71530, November 25, 2008). \n\n(d) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD becomes effective May 28, 2020. \n\n(e) Compliance \n\n\n\tYou are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the \n\n((Page 22586)) \n\nspecified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time. \n\n(f) Required Actions \n\n\n\t(1) Before the first flight of each day and at intervals not to exceed 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), check the MGB magnetic chip detector plug (chip detector) for any sludge. Also, check for dark oil in the MGB oil-sight glass. The actions required by this paragraph may be performed by an owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Sec. Sec. (thinsp)43.9 (a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. ''Sludge'' is a deposit on the chip detector that is typically dark in color and in the form of a film or paste, as compared to metal chips or particles normally found on a chip detector. Sludge may have both metallic or nonmetallic properties, may consist of copper (pinion bearing), magnesium (pump case), and steel (pinion) from the oil pump, and a nonmetallic substance from the chemical breakdown of the oil as it interacts with the metal. \n\t(i) Before further flight, if any sludge is found on the chip detector, remove, open, and inspect the pump. \n\t(ii) Before further flight, if the oil appears dark in color when it is observed through the MGB oil-sight glass, take an oil sample. If the oil taken in the sample is dark or dark purple, before further flight, remove, open, and inspect the pump. \n\t(2) Within 25 hours TIS, after operating both engines at normal operating revolutions per minute (RPM) for at least 20 minutes to ensure the MGB oil temperature has stabilized, inspect the oil pump for wear by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2., steps 1. through 6., of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05.00.51, dated July 9, 2007 (ASB 05.00.51), or Airbus Helicopters ASB No. 05.00.51, Revision 1, dated July 29, 2015 (ASB 05.00.51 Rev 1). \n\t(i) Record the outside air temperature (OAT) and rotor speed (NR RPM) and plot the point at which they intersect using the graph in Figure 1 or 2 of ASB 05.00.51 or ASB 05.00.51 Rev 1. \n\t(ii) If the point on the graph at the intersection of the recorded OAT and the NR RPM falls within: \n\t(A) Zone 3--Before further flight, replace the MGB and pump with an airworthy MGB and pump. \n\t(B) Zone 2--At intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS, repeat the inspection procedures by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2, steps 1. through 6., of ASB 05.00.51 or ASB 05.00.51 Rev 1. After being classified in ''Zone 2,'' you must obtain two successive inspections separated by at least 24 hours TIS that fall within Zone 1 before you can begin to inspect at intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS by following paragraph (f)(2)(ii)(C) of this AD for Zone 1. \n\t(C) Zone 1--At intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS, repeat the inspection procedures by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2., steps 1. through 6., of ASB 05.00.51 or ASB 05.00.51 Rev 1. \n\t(iii) Compliance with paragraphs (f)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the checks and inspections required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. \n\t(3) As an optional terminating actionfor the requirements in this AD, alter the lubrication system for the MGB in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.2.a. through 3.B.3 of Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin No. AS355-63.00.25, Revision 1, dated July 29, 2015, or Revision 2, dated June 22, 2017. Mineral oil 0-155 is required after compliance with this alteration. \n\n\n\tNote 1 to paragraph (f)(3) of this AD: Airbus Helicopters identifies alteration of the lubrication system as MOD 077222. \n\n(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations & Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected]. \n\t(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC. \n\n(h) Additional Information \n\n\n\t(1) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.40, Revision 3, dated July 9, 2007, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the subject of this AD. For service information identified in this AD, use the contact information in paragraphs (j)(5) and (6). \n\t(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (previously European Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD No. 2007-0209R1, dated September 11, 2015. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2017-0404. \n\n(i) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6320, Main Rotor Gearbox. \n\n(j) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on May 28, 2020. \n\t(i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.51, Revision 1, dated July 29, 2015. \n\t(ii) Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin No. AS355-63.00.25, Revision 1, dated July 29, 2015. \n\t(iii) Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin No. AS355-63.00.25, Revision 2, dated June 22, 2017. \n\t(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on December 30, 2008 (73 FR 71530, November 25, 2008). \n\t(i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.51, dated July 9, 2007. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(5) For Airbus Helicopters and Eurocopter service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone 972-641-0000 or 800-232- 0323; fax 972-641-3775; or at https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. \n\t(6) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N- 321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 817-222-5110. \n\t(7) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on April 17, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-08531 Filed 4-22-20; 8:45 am) \n\tBILLING CODE 4910-13-P