2020-22-19: Main Rotor Head--Main Rotor Spindle Cuff

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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: \n\n2020-22-19 Various Restricted Category Helicopters: Amendment 39- 21315; Docket No. FAA-2020-0625; Product Identifier 2016-SW-007-AD. \n\n(a) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) applies to various restricted category helicopters originally manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Model EH-60A, HH-60L, S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S-70C(M), S- 70C(M1), and UH-60A helicopters with a main rotor (M/R) blade spindle cuff part number 70150-09109-041 installed; type certificate holders include but are not limited to ACE Aeronautics, LLC; BHI H60 Helicopters, LLC; Billings Flying Service Inc.; Carson Helicopters; Delta Enterprise; High Performance Helicopters Corp.; Northwest Rotorcraft LLC; Pickering Aviation, Inc.; PJ Helicopters Inc.; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation; SixtyHawk TC, LLC; Skydance Blackhawk Operations, LLC; Timberline Helicopters, Inc.; and Unical Aviation, Inc. \n\n(b) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in an M/R blade spindle cuff. This condition could result in failure of an M/R blade spindle cuff, loss of an M/R blade, and loss of control of the helicopter. \n\n(c) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD becomes effective December 3, 2020. \n\n(d) 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(e) Required Actions \n\n\n\tBefore further flight, unless already done within the last 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS from the last inspection: \n\t(1) Using 10X or higher power magnification, visually inspect each M/R blade spindle cuff for a crack. Pay particular attention to the area around each bolt hole and the upper and lower surfaces of the leading and trailing edges of each M/R blade spindle cuff. \n\t(2) If there is a crack, replace the M/R blade spindle cuff before further flight. \n\n((Page 68431)) \n\n(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Kristopher Greer, Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone 781-238-7799; email kristopher.greer@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(g) Additional Information \n\n\n\tSikorsky Safety Advisory No. SSA-S70-08-002, dated December 11, 2008, and Sikorsky Technical Manual Preventative Maintenance Services 10 Hour/14 Day (30 Hour/42 Day) Inspection Checklist 1-70- PMS-1, dated December 1, 2014, which are not incorporated by reference, contain additional information about the subject of this AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact your local Sikorsky Field Representative or Sikorsky's Service Engineering Group at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, 124 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-946-4337 (1-800-Winged-S); email wcs_cust_service_eng.gr-sik@lmco.com. Operators may also log on to the Sikorsky 360 website at https://www.sikorsky360.com. You may view a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N- 321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. \n\tJoint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220, Main Rotor Head--Main Rotor Spindle Cuff. \n\n\n\tIssued on October 23, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-23929 Filed 10-28-20; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P