2021-23-06: Rotor flight controls

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2021-23-06 Various Model 234 and Model CH-47D Helicopters: Amendment 39-21804; Docket No. FAA-2021-0951; Project Identifier AD-2021-01047-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 4, 2022. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Model 234 and Model CH-47D helicopters, regardless of type certificate holder, certificated in any category. Type certificate holders include, but are not limited to: (1) Columbia Helicopters, Inc., (2) Billings Flying Service, Inc., (3) Tandem Rotor, LLC, and (4) Unical Aviation, Inc. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code: 6710, Rotor flight controls. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by inadequate maintenance, which resulted in mechanical failure of the longitudinal cyclic trim actuator (LCTA). The FAA is issuing this AD to correct this unsafe condition, which if not addressed, could result in loss of control of the rotor blades and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter or the rotor blades striking the fuselage. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) Within 3 calendar days after the effective date of this AD, determine the hours time-in-service (TIS) and lift cycles since last overhaul for each LCTA on your helicopter. If lift cycles cannot be determined, count 6 lift cycles for each hour TIS for each LCTA. For purposes of this AD, a lift cycle is defined as any of the following: (i) Takeoff from ground for flight; (ii) Lift of a new external load while in flight; or (iii) Lift of a new internal load while in flight ( e.g., fluid drawn into an internal tank). (2) If the last overhaul of any LCTA was not approved for return to service by a person that meets the requirements of 14 CFR part 43, or, if you are unable to establish hours TIS and lift cycles since last overhaul of an LCTA ( e.g., hours TIS and lift cycles for each LCTA were not tracked), within 10 calendar days after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,000 hours TIS or 18,000 lift cycles, whichever occurs first, overhaul that LCTA. For purposes of any overhaul required by this AD, the overhaul must include: (i) An inspection of each acme screw for wear and cracking; (ii) Lubricating all drive threads and gears; and (iii) A test to ensure proper operation of the extend and retract travel limit switches. (3) If the last overhaul of an LCTA was approved for return to service by a person that meets the requirements of 14 CFR part 43, overhaul the LCTA (to include the overhaul requirements specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) through (iii) of this AD) within 500 hours TIS or 3,000 lift cycles since last overhaul, whichever occurs first; or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Thereafter, overhaul each LCTA at intervals not to exceed 3,000 hours TIS or 18,000 lift cycles, whichever occurs first. (4) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any LCTA on any helicopter unless it has been approved for return to service by a person that meets the requirements of 14 CFR part 43 after an overhaul that includes the overhaul requirements specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) through (iii) of this AD, and that LCTA has not been in service for more than 3,000 hours TIS or 18,000 lift cycles since that overhaul. (5) Within 10 days after completing each LCTA overhaul required by this AD, provide the following information by email to vaughn.n.schmitt@faa.gov and ian.a.hansen@faa.gov; or by mail to Vaughn Schmitt and Ian Hansen, Aircraft Evaluation Group, Safety Standards Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177: (i) Helicopter Owner/Operator name, email, address, and telephone number, (ii) LCTA model, part number and serial number, (iii) Months TIS since last LCTA overhaul, (iv) Operating hours and lift cycles since last LCTA overhaul, (v) Date and location of last LCTA overhaul, (vi) LCTA repairs since last LCTA overhaul, (vii) LCTA condition when removed, (viii) LCTA reports of failures or degraded functions, (ix) LCTA part replacements, (x) Point of contact information for additional information, (xi) Any additional notes or comments, and (xii) Pictures, if available. (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Seattle ACO 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. (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. (i) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact David Herron, Aerospace Engineer, Systems & Equipment Section, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: (206) 231-3554; email david.herron@faa.gov. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference None. Issued on December 6, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2021-27539 Filed 12-16-21; 11:15 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P