96-12-26: Clean and Inspect Tail Rotor Blade

96-12-26 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY; ERICKSON AIR CRANE CO.; GARLICK HELICOPTERS; HAWKINS AND POWERS AVIATION, INC.; INTERNATIONAL HELICOPTERS, INC.; SMITH HELICOPTERS; SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AVIATION; WEST COAST FABRICATIONS; WESTERN INTERNATIONAL AVIATION, INC.; WILLIAMS HELICOPTER TECHNOLOGY, INC.; AND UNC HELICOPTERS: Amendment 39-9741. Docket No. 96-SW-11-AD. Applicability: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.-manufactured Model AH-1, HH-1K, TH-lF, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P helicopters, with tail rotor (T/R) blade (blade), part number (P/N) 204-011-702-015 or -121, serial numbers (S/N) A-20262 through A-20268, A-20270 through A-20282, A-20284 through A-20287, A-20289 through A-20422, A-20424 through A-20428, A-20430 through A-20433, A-20435 through A-20464, A-20466 through A-20497, A-20499 through A-21019, A-21027 through A-21031, A-21041, A-21047, A-21049 and A-21059, installed, certificated in any category. NOTE 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (d) to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any helicopter from the applicability of this AD. Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent debonding of the main spar internal leading edge doubler, which could lead to failure of a T/R blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following: (a) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals of not more than 7 calendar days, clean each T/R blade using a mild detergent and water to remove soot and grime. (b) Visually inspect each T/R blade for peeling, flaking, or bubbling paint, or corrosion along the bond lines viewed from the root and tip ends of the blade, and at the abrasion strip bond line on both sides of the blade from the root to the tip. (c) If the visual inspection indicates peeling, flaking, or bubbling paint, remove the paint from the affected area and perform a visual inspection for corrosion. (1) If no corrosion is noted, refinish the blade. (2) If corrosion is noted in the bond lines of the affected areas, remove the blade and replace it with an airworthy blade. Replacement with an airworthy bladethat has a serial number not listed in the Applicability section of this AD constitutes a terminating action for this AD. NOTE 2: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB No. 204-96-48, Revision A, dated February 12, 1996, which pertains to Model 204B helicopters, also pertains to this AD. (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office. NOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office. (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 23, 1996, to all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 96-12-26, issued June 5, 1996, which contained the requirements of this amendment.