2021-10-14: Main Rotor System

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\n2021-10-14 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-21547; Docket No. FAA-2021-0143; Product Identifier 2019-SW-024-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 24, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tThis AD affects AD 2016-25-14, Amendment 39-18740 (81 FR 94944, December 27, 2016) (AD 2016-25-14). \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model BO- 105A, BO-105C, BO-105S, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters, certificated in any category, equipped with a tension torsion strap (TT-strap) as identified in European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2019-0024, dated February 4, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0024). \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6200, Main Rotor System. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that aging of the elastomeric material in a TT-strap could affect the structural characteristics of the TT-strap. The FAA is issuing this AD to address aging of the elastomeric material in a TT-strap, which could lead to premature failure of a TT-strap, resulting in loss of control of the helicopter. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Requirements \n\n\n\tExcept as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2019-0024. \n\n(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0024 \n\n\n\t(1) Where EASA AD 2019-0024 refers to itseffective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. \n\t(2) The ''Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0024 does not apply to this AD. \n\t(3) Where EASA AD 2019-0024 and the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-0024 specify contacting Airbus Helicopters Deutschland if the storage time for a TT-strap is equal to or greater than 5 years, this AD requires repair using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to this AD. \n\t(4) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019- 0024 specifies to scrap certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service instead. \n\t(5) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2019-0024 specifies to replace each Lord TT-Strap and Bendix TT-Strap ''in accordance with the instructions of the applicable ASB,'' the replacementmust be done using FAA-approved procedures. \n\t(6) Where EASA AD 2019-0024 refers to the airworthiness limitations items of the airworthiness limitations section of the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) for the definition of service life limit (SLL), this AD requires using the life limits specified in paragraphs (h)(6)(i) through (iii) of this AD, as applicable: \n\t(i) For Bendix TT-Strap part number (P/N) 2604067 and P/N 117- 14110: Before 10 years or 40,000 flight cycles on the part, whichever occurs first. \n\t(ii) For Bendix TT-Strap P/N 2602559 and P/N 2606576: Before 10 years, 2,400 hours time-in-service, or 40,000 flight cycles on the part, whichever occurs first. \n\t(iii) For Lord TT-Strap P/N J17322-1 and P/N 117-14111: Before 12 years or 40,000 flight cycles on the part, whichever occurs first. \n\t(7) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0024 specifies that installation of a Lord TT-Strap is allowed provided the first flight of that helicopter after that installation is accomplished before the storage life of that Lord TT-Strap exceeds 5 years, for this AD, the installation of a Lord TT-Strap is allowed provided the first flight of that helicopter after that installation is accomplished before 5 years since the TT-strap's date of manufacture. \n\t(8) Where EASA AD 2019-0024 defines ''serviceable part'' as a Lord TT-Strap having a storage life not exceeding 5 years, for this AD, a serviceable part is Lord TT-straps P/N J17322-1 and P/N 117- 14111 having less than 5 years since that TT-strap's date of manufacture. \n\t(9) Where EASA AD 2019-0024 specifies that the ''cure date'' of a TT-Strap can be determined using the information provided in the applicable service information specified in EASA AD 2019-0024, or contacting Airbus Helicopters for applicable instructions, for this AD, the option of contacting Airbus Helicopters is not required. \n\n(i) Repetitive Replacement \n\n\n\tAfter accomplishing the replacement specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2019-0024,thereafter, replace the Lord TT-straps P/N J17322-1 and P/N 117-14111, at intervals not to exceed: Before 12 years or 40,000 flight cycles on the part, whichever occurs first. \n\n(j) Terminating Action for AD 2016-25-14 \n\n\n\tFor Model B0-105LS A-3 helicopters: After accomplishing the replacement specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2019-0024 all of the actions required by AD 2016-15-14 are terminated for that helicopter only. \n\n(k) Special Flight Permit \n\n\n\tSpecial flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, are not allowed. \n\n(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (m) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. \n\t(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. \n\n(m) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Blaine Williams, Aviation Safety Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712 4137; telephone 562-627-5371; email blaine.williams@faa.gov. \n\n((Page 27271)) \n\n(n) 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 this AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0024, dated February 4, 2019. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For EASA AD 2019-0024, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer- Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; Internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. \n\t(4) 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. This material may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA- 2021-0143. \n\t(5) You may view this material 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 April 30, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-10605 Filed 5-19-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P