2022-06-05: Main Rotor System

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: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-15-52, Amendment 39-21664 (86 FR 40779, July 29, 2021); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2022-06-05 Various Restricted Category Helicopters: Amendment 39-21971; Docket No. FAA-2022-0158; Project Identifier AD-2022-00199-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 16, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2021-15-52, Amendment 39-21664 (86 FR 40779, July 29, 2021). (c) Applicability This AD applies to the following various restricted category helicopters with a main rotor hub strap pin (pin) part number 204-012-104-005 with a serial number prefix "FNFS" installed: (1) Model HH-1K helicopters; current type certificate holders include but are not limited to Rotorcraft Development Corporation; (2) Model SW205A-1 helicopters; current type certificate holders include but are not limited to Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc.; (3) Model TH-1F helicopters; current type certificate holders include but are not limited to Robinson Air Crane Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; and Tamarack Helicopters, Inc.; (4) Model TH-1L helicopters; current type certificate holders include but are not limited to Bell Textron Inc.; Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc. (type certificate previously held by JTBAM, Inc.); and Rotorcraft Development Corporation; (5) Model UH-1A helicopters; current type certificate holders include but are not limited to Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.; (6) Model UH-1B helicopters; current type certificate holders include but are not limited to International Helicopters, Inc.; Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc.; Red Tail Flying Services, LLC; Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc.; and WSH, LLC (type certificate previously held by San Joaquin Helicopters); Note 1 to paragraph (c)(6): Helicopters with an SW204 or SW204HP designation are Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc., Model UH-1B helicopters. (7) Model UH-1E helicopters; current type certificate holders include but are not limited to Bell Textron Inc.; Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; Smith Helicopters; and West Coast Fabrications; (8) Model UH-1F helicopters; current type certificate holders include but are not limited to AST, Inc.; California Department of Forestry; Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; and Tamarack Helicopters, Inc.; (9) Model UH-1H helicopters; current type certificate holders include but are not limited to Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc.; Global Helicopter Technology, Inc.; Hagglund Helicopters, LLC; JJASPP Engineering Services LLC; Northwest Rotorcraft, LLC; Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc.; Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc., and Tamarack Helicopters, Inc.; Note 2 to paragraph (c)(9): Helicopters with an SW205 designation are Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc., Model UH-1H helicopters. (10) Model UH-1L helicopters; current type certificate holders include but are not limited to Bell Textron Inc.; Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc.; and Rotorcraft Development Corporation; and (11) Model UH-1P helicopters; current type certificate holders include but are not limited to Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; and Rotorcraft Development Corporation. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6200, Main Rotor System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a fatal accident in which a pin sheared off during flight, which resulted in the main rotor blade and the main rotor head detaching from the helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this unsafe condition and prevent loss of control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, remove from service any pin that is identified in the introductory text of paragraph (c) of this AD and inspect it for any deformity. If the pin is deformed, remove from service the mating strap fitting (P/N 212-010-103-ALL or 204-012-103-ALL). (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any pin that is identified in the introductory text of paragraph (c) of this AD on any helicopter. (h) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits are prohibited. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 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 DSCO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ASW-190-COS@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. (j) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management Program Manager, Certification & Program Management Section, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5198; email kuethe.harmon@faa.gov. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference None. Issued on March 8, 2022. Ross Landes, Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-05379 Filed 3-10-22; 11:15 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P