Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15163 · Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S92-A Helicopters
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S92-A Helicopters
Model S-92A helicopter, with a tail rotor pitch change shaft and bearing assembly (shaft and bearing assembly) part number 92358-06303-041, installed, certificated in any category.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S92-A helicopters. This action requires, within a specified time, borescope inspecting a certain part-numbered tail rotor pitch change shaft and bearing assembly (shaft and bearing assembly) and also inspecting after any installation. This amendment is prompted by an incident involving failure of a shaft and bearing assembly and servo clevis shaft resulting in loss of tail rotor control. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent failure of a shaft and bearing assembly, loss of tail rotor pitch and yaw control, and subsequent loss of control of a helicopter.
Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent failure of a shaft and bearing assembly, loss of tail rotor pitch and yaw control, and subsequent loss of control of a helicopter, do the following:
(a) Within 20 hours time-in-service (TIS), borescope inspect as follows:
(1) Inspect each affected shaft and bearing assembly at tail rotor side by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A.(1) through (7) and Figure 4 of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service Bulletin No. 92-64-002, dated August 3, 2007 (ASB). If the shaft bearing fails the inspection, replace the shaft and bearing assembly before further flight.
(2) Inspect each shaft and bearing assembly on the servo side through the oil filler cap by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs B.(1) through (9) and Figures 2 and 3, of the ASB. If the shaft bearing fails the inspection, replace the shaft and bearing assembly before further flight.
Note: Maintenance Manual SA S92A-ANM-000 pertains to the subject of this AD.
(b) Between 10 and 15 hours TIS after installing a shaft and bearing assembly, borescope inspect it by following paragraph (a) of this AD.
(c) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, ATTN: Wayne Gaulzetti, Aviation Safety Engineer, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7156, fax (781) 238-7170, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
(d) The inspections of the shaft and bearing assembly shall be done by following Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 92-64-002, dated August 3, 2007. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, Connecticut, phone (203) 383-4866, e-mail address tsslibrary@sikorsky.com. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on August 21, 2007.
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
