2021-04-12: Tail Rotor Drive Shaft

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\n2021-04-12 Robinson Helicopter Company: Amendment 39-21433; Docket No. FAA-2017-0682; Product Identifier 2017-SW-028-AD. \n\n(a) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R66 helicopters, certificated in any category, with a tail rotor (T/R) drive shaft assembly part number (P/N) D224-3 without B900-11 modification installed. \n\n\n\tNote 1 to paragraph (a): Helicopters with serial number (S/N) 0631 and subsequent had T/R drive shaft assembly P/N D224-4 installed during production, which is notaffected by this AD. \n\n(b) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a T/R drive shaft forward hanger bearing. This condition could result in failure of the T/R drive shaft and subsequent loss of helicopter control. \n\n(c) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective April 12, 2021. \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\n\t(e) Required Actions \n\n\n\t(1) Within 100 hours time-in-service, do one of the following: \n\t(i) Install Robinson kit P/N KI-235 using KI-235 R66 TRDS Forward Yoke Assembly and Hanger Installation Kit Instructions, Revision A, dated June 23, 2015, except where the service information specifies discarding parts, you are required to remove those parts from service instead. \n\t(ii) Replace the entire T/R drive shaft assembly with T/R drive shaft assembly P/N D224-4. \n\t(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a T/R drive shaft assembly P/N D224-3 without B900-11 modification on any helicopter. \n\n((Page 13165)) \n\n(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Danny Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone 562-627-5247; email 9-ANM-LAACO-AMOC-REQUESTS@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) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor service information identified in this AD, contact Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505; telephone 310-539-0508; fax 310-539-5198; or at https://www.robinsonheli.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\n(h) 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(i) Robinson KI-235 R66 TRDS Forward Yoke Assembly and Hanger Installation Kit Instructions, Revision A, dated June 23, 2015. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505; telephone 310-539-0508; fax 310-539-5198; or at https://www.robinsonheli.com. \n\t(4) You may viewthis service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. \n\t(5) 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(i) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6510, Tail Rotor Drive Shaft. \n\n\n\tIssued on February 8, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-03656 Filed 3-5-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P