98-24-22: Grip Assemblies

98-24-22 AGUSTA S.p.A.: Amendment 39-10907. Docket No. 98-SW-14-AD. Applicability: Agusta A109C helicopters, all serial numbers (S/N) through 7670, excluding S/Ns 7630, 7633, 7645, 7651, 7653, 7657, 7661, 7663, 7665, 7667, and 7669, with tail rotor grip assembly (grip assembly), part number (P/N) 109-8131-05-109 or -113, 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 (c) 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: Within the next 5 hours time in service, unless accomplished previously. To prevent cracks from developing on the grip assemblies that could result in separation of a tail rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following: (a) Install airworthy grip assemblies, P/N 109-8131-29-101, or airworthy rotor grip and bushing assemblies, P/N 109-8131-02-129; and airworthy tail rotor blades, P/N 109-8132-01-107. NOTE 2: Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 109-100, dated March 21, 1997, pertains to the subject of this AD. (b) This AD revises the Limitations Section of the maintenance manual by establishing new retirement times for the tail rotor huband blade assembly components as follows: Part Number Nomenclature Retirement Life (Hours) 109-8132-01-1 Blade 3000 109-8131-07-1 Retention Strap Assembly 2000 109-8131-08-1 Strap Pin 5000 109-8131-06-1 Strap Plug 5000 109-0131-06-7 Hub Assembly 3600 109-8131-09-1 Bolt, Retention Strap 5000 109-8131-29-101 Grip Assembly 3000 (c) 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 Standards Staff, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff. NOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff. (d) 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. NOTE 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Registro Aeronautico Italiano (Italy) AD 97-084, dated March 28, 1997. (e) This amendment becomes effective on December 9, 1998.