2020-17-10: Tail Rotor System

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: 0 a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-02-06, Amendment 39-18387 (81 FR 5367, February 2, 2016); and 0 b. Adding the following new AD: \n\n2020-17-10 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39- 21215; Docket No. FAA-2019-0589; Product Identifier 2017-SW-020-AD. \n\n(a) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters with a tail rotor (T/R) pitch link assembly (link) part number (P/N) 429-012-112-101, -101FM, -103, -103FM, -111, - 111FM, -113, or -113FM installed, certificated in any category. \n\n(b) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a T/R link. This condition could result in loss of T/R flight control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. \n\n(c) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tThis AD replaces AD 2016-02-06, Amendment 39-18387 (81 FR 5367, February 2, 2016). \n\n(d) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD becomes effective September 21, 2020. \n\n(e) Compliance \n\n\n\tYou are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time. \n\n(f) Required Actions \n\n\n\t(1) For T/R link P/N 429-012-112-101 and -103, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS): \n\t(i) Remove each T/R link. Prior to cleaning the T/R link bearing bores, using 10X or higher power magnification, inspect each T/R link bearing bore for aluminum oxide corrosion extruding from between the roll staked lip of the bearing outer race and the link bearing bore. Aluminum oxide corrosion appears as a white crystalline material in contrast with the black finish and any accumulated soot. An example of this corrosion is shown in Figure 1 of Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-15-26, dated December 7, 2015 (ASB 429-15-26). \n\t(ii) If there is any aluminum oxide corrosion, replace the T/R link before further flight. \n\t(iii) If there is no aluminum oxide corrosion, clean each T/R link bearing bore with isopropyl alcohol, and using 10X or higher power magnification, inspect each cleaned T/R link for pitting. \n\n((Page 49944)) \n\n\n\t(A) If there is any pitting, replace the T/R link before further flight. \n\t(B) If there is no pitting, apply corrosion preventative sealant by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 5. of Part I, of ASB 429-15-26. \n\t(2) For all T/R link P/Ns listed in paragraph (a) of this AD, within 50 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS, using 10X or higher power magnification, inspect each T/R link bearing bore for missing corrosion preventative sealant. If any corrosion preventative sealant is missing, perform the actions in paragraphs (f)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD before further flight. \n\t(3) For all T/R link P/Ns listed in paragraph (a) of this AD, within 12 months since date of manufacture, except if paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD have already been done for T/R link P/N 429-012-112-101 or -103 within the last 12 months and except if paragraph (f)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD have already been done for T/R link P/N 429-012-112-101FM, -103FM, -111, -111FM, -113, or -113FM within the last 12 months; and thereafter for all T/R link P/Ns listed in paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 12 months: \n\t(i) Remove each T/R link; and \n\t(ii) Remove all corrosion preventative sealant, and perform the actions in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD. \n\t(4) After the effective date of this AD: \n\t(i) Do not install T/R link P/N 429-012-112-101 or -103 on any helicopter before complying with the actions in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD. \n\t(ii) Do not install T/R link P/N 429-012-112-101FM, 103FM, -111, 111FM, -113, or -113FM on any helicopter before complying with the actions in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD. \n\n(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Scott Franke, Aviation Safety Engineer, International Validation Branch, Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email scott.franke@faa.gov. \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 InformationThe subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD No. CF-2016-01R2, dated April 12, 2017. You may view the Transport Canada AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2019-0589. \n\n(i) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6400, Tail Rotor System. \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 February 2, 2016 (81 FR 5367, February 2, 2016). \n\t(i) Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-15-26, dated December 7, 2015. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(4) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4; telephone 450-437-2862 or 800-363-8023; fax 450-433- 0272; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com. \n\t(5) You may view this service information at the 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(6) 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 fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on August 10, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-17779 Filed 8-14-20; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P