2022-22-12: Nose/Tail Landing Gear Structure/Axle

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: 2022-22-12 Bell Textron Inc., Erickson 214 Holdings, LLC, Leonardo S.p.a., and Various Restricted Category Helicopters: Amendment 39-22227; Docket No. FAA-2022-1402; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01094-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 22, 2022. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to the helicopters identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD with a Dart Aerospace Ltd. high gear forward crosstube part number (P/N) D212- 664-101 or P/N D212-664-101B installed under Supplemental Type Certificate No. SR01298NY: (1) Bell Textron Inc., Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters, certificated in any category; (2) Erickson 214 Holdings, LLC, Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters, certificated in any category; (3) Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB412 and AB412 EP helicopters, certificated in any category; and (4) Various restricted category helicopters: (i) Model HH-1K helicopters; current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to, Rotorcraft Development Corporation; (ii) 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.; (iii) Model TH-1L helicopters; current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to, Bell Textron Inc.; Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc.; and Rotorcraft Development Corporation; (iv) Model UH-1A helicopters; current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to, Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.; (v) 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)(4)(v): Helicopters with an SW204 or SW204HP designation are Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc., Model UH-1B helicopters. (vi) 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; (vii) 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.; (viii) 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)(4)(viii): Helicopters with an SW205 designation are Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc., Model UH-1H helicopters. (ix) 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 (x) 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: 3222, Nose/Tail Landing Gear Structure/Axle. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of two in-service failures of forward crosstubes due to fatigue damage and the issuance of newly established life limits. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of a forward crosstube, which could result in collapse of the landing gear and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter during landing. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements (1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions in paragraph (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD. (i) Determine the total number of landings on the forward crosstube. For the purposes of this AD, a landing is counted anytime a helicopter contacts the ground regardless of the duration of the landing and regardless of whether the engine is shutdown. If the total number of landings cannot be determined, calculate the total number of landings by multiplying the total hours time-in-service on the forward crosstube by 10. (ii) For a forward crosstube that has accumulated 20,000 or more total landings or if the total number of landings of a forward crosstube cannot be calculated as required in paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this AD, before further flight, remove the forward crosstube from service. (2) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, incorporate into maintenance records required by 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2) or 135.439(a)(2), as applicable for your helicopter, the requirements (airworthiness limitations) specified in Chapter 4-Airworthiness Limitations (04-00-00), approved March 23, 2022, of Dart Aerospace Ltd., Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, ICA-D212-664, Crosstube Installation, Revision 12, dated September 30, 2021. (h) Provisions for Alternative Requirements (Airworthiness Limitations) After the actions required by this paragraph (g)(2) of this AD have been done, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits, may be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. (i) 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 (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@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 Elizabeth Dowling, Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-7300; email 9-AVS-NYACO-COS@FAA.gov. (k) 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 the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Chapter 4-Airworthiness Limitations (04-00-00), approved March 23, 2022, of Dart Aerospace Ltd., Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, ICA-D212-664, Crosstube Installation, Revision 12, dated September 30, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Dart Aerospace Ltd. 1270 Aberdeen Street Hawkesbury, ON, K6A 1K7 Canada; telephone 1 613 632 5200; email support@dartaero.com; internet dartaerospace.com. (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. (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: fr.inspection@nara.gov ), or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on October 21, 2022. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-24342 Filed 11-3-22; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P