2022-20-04: Tail Rotor Drive Shaft

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) 2021-26-08, Amendment 39-21867 (86 FR 72833, December 23, 2021); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2022-20-04 Bell Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-22188; Docket No. FAA-2022-0807; Project Identifier AD-2022-00214-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 23, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2021-26-08, Amendment 39-21867 (86 FR 72833, December 23, 2021) (AD 2021-26-08). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 206, 206A, 206A-1 (OH-58A), 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6510, Tail Rotor Drive Shaft. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of cracked or missing nuts installed on the tail rotor drive shaft (TRDS) disc pack (Thomas) couplings. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure or loss of a nut on the TRDS Thomas couplings. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of the tail rotor and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15, dated May 13, 2020 (Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15). (h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15 (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15 requires compliance in terms of air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service (TIS). (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15 refers to the effective dates specified in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (i) October 9, 2019 (the effective date of Transport Canada AD CF-2019-34, dated September 25, 2019). (ii) The effective date of Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15. (3) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15 defines Group 1 helicopters as those models "that have not been modified by installing STC SH2750NM or STC SH99-202," replace "that have not been modified by installing STC SH2750NM or STC SH99-202" with "that have not been modified by installing STC SH2750NM." (4) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15 defines Group 4 helicopters as those models "that have been modified by installing STC SH2750NM or STC SH99-202," replace "that have been modified by installing STC SH2750NM or STC SH99-202" with "that have been modified by installing STC SH2750NM." (5) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15 requires compliance within 600 hours air time or 24 months, whichever occurs first, this AD requires compliance within 600 hours TIS only and does not allow a compliance time of 24 months. (6) Where any paragraph of Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15 specifies to replace part number (P/N) MS21042 nuts with P/N NAS9926 nuts, this AD requires removing P/N MS21042 nuts from service and replacing with P/N NAS9926 nuts. (7) Where any paragraph of any service information referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15 specifies to replace P/N MS21042L4 nuts with P/N 90-132L4 nuts, this AD requires removing P/N MS21042L4 nuts from service and replacing with P/N 90-132L4 nuts, in accordance with Air Comm Corporation Service Bulletin SB 206EC-092619, Revision NC, dated September 26, 2019 (SB 206EC-092619 Rev NC). (8) Where any paragraph of any service information referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15 specifies to replace P/N MS21042L5 nuts with P/N 90-132L5 nuts, this AD requires removing P/N MS21042L5 nuts from service and replacing with P/N 90-132L5 nuts, in accordance with SB 206EC-092619 Rev NC. (9) Where any paragraph of any service information referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15 specifies if any P/N MS21042L4 nuts are found loose or damaged, report at which location and provide the information to Product Support Engineering at [email protected], this AD requires if any P/N MS21042L4 nuts are found loose or damaged, before further flight, inspecting each TRDS Thomas coupling, including each bolt, nut, and washer, for any elongated holes, fretting on the fasteners, and damaged fasteners. If there is any elongated hole, fretting on the fasteners, or damaged fasteners, this AD requires before further flight, removing from service each affected part and replacing it with an airworthy part. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (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 (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. (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. (k) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected]. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (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. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (i) Air Comm Corporation Service Bulletin SB 206EC-092619, Revision NC, dated September 26, 2019. (ii) Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15, dated May 13, 2020. (3) For Air Comm Corporation service information identified in this AD, contact Air Comm Corporation, 1575 West 124th Ave. #210, Westminster, CO 80234; telephone (303) 440-4075; email [email protected]; or at aircommcorp.com . For Transport Canada AD CF-2020-15, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K1A 0N5, CANADA; telephone 888-663-3639; email [email protected]; internet tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. You may find the Transport Canada material on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. (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 at regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0807. (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 [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on September 19, 2022. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-25028 Filed 11-17-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P