2021-10-24: Tail Rotor Control 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\n((Page 26367)) \n\n\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) 2015-25-04, Amendment 39-18342 (80 FR 76381, December 9, 2015); and 0 b. Adding the following new AD: \n\n2021-10-24 Leonardo S.p.a (Type Certificate Previously Held by Agusta S.p.A.): Amendment 39-21557; Docket No. FAA-2021-0127; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00829-R. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 18, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tThis AD replaces AD 2015-25-04, Amendment 39-18342 (80 FR 76381, December 9, 2015). \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. (Type Certificate previously held by Agusta S.p.A.) Model A109A and A109A II helicopters, certificated in any category, with a slider assembly pitch control (slider) part number (P/N) 109-0130-11-7 installed, except those sliders marked with an ''R'' after the serial number. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6720, Tail Rotor Control System. \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD defines the unsafe condition as play on a slider. This condition could result in loss of tail rotor pitch control and consequently loss of helicopter control. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Required Actions \n\n\n\t(1) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS, inspect the slider for play. If there is play greater than 2.3 millimeters (0.09 inch), before further flight, replace the slider with a slider P/N 109-0130-11-7 with suffix''R'' marked after the serial number. \n\t(2) Within 800 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, if not previously required per paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, replace slider P/N 109-0130-11-7 with slider P/N 109-0130-11-7 with suffix ''R'' marked after the serial number. \n\t(3) Installing slider P/N 109-0130-11-7 with suffix ''R'' marked after the serial number is a terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. \n\t(4) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install slider P/N 109-0130-11-7 on any helicopter unless the slider is marked with suffix ''R'' after the serial number. \n\n(h) 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 (i)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. \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(i) Related Information \n\n\n\t(1) For more information about this AD, contact Matthew Fuller, AD Program Manager, Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected]. \n\t(2) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 109-149, Revision A, dated May 18, 2020, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the subject of this AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters, Emanuele Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone +39- 0331-225074; fax +39-0331-229046; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/home. You may view this referenced 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(3) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0142, dated June 25, 2020. You may view the EASA AD at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2021-0127. \n\n\n\tIssued on May 6, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-10191 Filed 5-13-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P