2021-11-22: Tail 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: 0 a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-11-21, Amendment 39-18548 (81 FR 36137, June 6, 2016); and 0 b. Adding the following new AD: \n\n2021-11-22 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-21584; Docket No. FAA-2019-0113; Product Identifier 2017-SW-140-AD. \n\n(a) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) applies Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters, certificated in any category. \n\n(b) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThe FAA is issuing this AD to prevent certain parts from remaining in service beyond their fatigue life, resulting in failure of the part and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. \n\n(c) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tThis AD replaces AD 2016-11-21, Amendment 39-18548 (81 FR 36137, June 6, 2016). \n\n(d) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective July 16, 2021. \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) Before further flight, establish a life limit for the tail rotor hub body (hub body), part number (P/N) L642A2003102, of 27,400 hours time-in-service (TIS). If you cannot determine the hub body's TIS, follow the instructions in Table 1, Examples and Calculations, Effectivity: The history of the hub body is not known or can't be identified, in Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB EC135- 04A-012, Revision 0, dated September 11, 2017, except where the service information specifies that you contact the manufacturer, you are required to remove the part from service instead. \n\t(2) Before further flight, revise the life limit for each part listed in paragraphs (f)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD in the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the existing maintenance manual for your helicopter and record the revised life limit on the component history card or equivalent record as follows: \n\t(i) For swashplate parts: \n\t(A) The life limit for the ring (control ring), P/N L623M2001213, is 10,700 hours TIS. \n\t(B) The life limit for the cardan ring (two-part), P/N L623M2005205, is 14,300 hours TIS. \n\t(C) The life limit for the bolt (control ring), P/N L671M7001215, is 14,300 hours TIS. \n\t(D) The life limit for the bolt (sliding sleeve), P/N L623M2006206 and P/N L623M2006213, is 14,300 hours TIS. \n\t(ii) For mixing lever gear unit parts: \n\t(A) The life limit for the forked lever assembly, P/N L671M3012102, is 10,400 hours TIS. \n\t(B) The life limit for the hinged support, P/N L671M7003210, is 19,000 hours TIS. \n\t(C) The life limit for the bolt, P/N L671M7001220, is 19,000 hours TIS. \n\t(3) Before further flight, remove from service any part listed in paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) of this AD that has reached or exceeded its revised life limit. \n\t(4) Thereafter, for any part listed in paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) of this AD that has not reached or exceeded its life limit, continue to record the life limit of the part on its component history card or equivalent record and remove any part listed in paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) of this AD from service before the part has reached or exceeded its revised life limit. \n\n(g) Special Flight Permits \n\n\n\tSpecial flight permits are limited to a onetime flight to a maintenance facility to replace a part that has reached its life limit. \n\n((Page 31103)) \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 usingthe 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) Additional Information \n\n\n\t(1) For more information about this AD, contact Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected]. \n\t(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2017-0243, dated December 6, 2017. You may view the EASA AD at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2019-0113. \n\n(j) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6400, Tail Rotor System. \n\n(k) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB EC135-04A-012, Revision 0, dated September 11, 2017. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For Airbus Helicopters service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone 972-641-0000 or 800-232-0323; fax 972- 641-3775; or at https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. \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. \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: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on May 21, 2021. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-12228 Filed 6-10-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P