Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-13217 · Schweizer Aircraft Corporation Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, and TH-55A Helicopters
Schweizer Aircraft Corporation Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, and TH-55A Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2003-13-15 R1. Comply with the one in force.
Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, and TH-55A helicopters, certificated in any category, with a tailboom support strut (strut) assembly, part number (P/N) 269A2015 or 269A2015-5; or with a center frame aft cluster fitting, P/N 269A2234 or 269A2235, and an aft cluster fitting listed in the following table: Helicopter serial With aft cluster Helicopter model number number fitting, P/N Model 269C.................. 0570 through 1165... 269A2234-3 Model 269C.................. 0500 through 1165... 269A2235-3 Model 269A, A-1, B, or C, or All................. 269A2234-3 or TH-55A. 269A2235-3 Exception: For the Model 269A, A-1, B, or C or TH-55A helicopters with Hughes-manufactured cluster fittings, P/N 269A2234- 3 or P/N 269A2235-3, installed, if there is written documentation in the aircraft or manufacturer's records that shows the cluster fitting was originally sold by Hughes after June 1, 1988, the requirements of this AD are not applicable.
This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Schweizer Aircraft Corporation (Schweizer) Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, and TH-55A helicopters, that currently requires inspecting the lugs on certain aft cluster fittings and each aluminum end fitting on certain tailboom struts. Modifying or replacing each strut assembly within a specified time period and serializing certain strut assemblies are also required by the existing AD. This amendment requires the same actions as the existing AD, and also requires a one-time inspection and repair, if necessary, of certain additional cluster fittings, and replacement and modification of certain cluster fittings within 150 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 6 months, whichever occurs first. This amendment is prompted by the need to expand the applicability to include certain Hughes-manufactured cluster fittings and to provide a terminating action for the repetitive dye-penetrant inspections of the cluster fittings. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of a tailboom support strut or a cluster fitting, which could cause rotation of a tailboom into the main rotor blades, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Aircraft
