Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15463 · MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD900 Series Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD900 Series Helicopters
Model MD900 series helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 900-00008 through 900-00111, 900-00113, and 900-00114, certificated in any category.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model MD900 series helicopters that requires modifying the pilot and co-pilot dual-control directional pedal assemblies, or the pilot single-control directional pedal assembly (directional control pedal assembly). This amendment is prompted by an accident which has been attributed to loss of directional control due to failure of the welds in the directional control pedal assembly. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracking in the welds that connect the directional control pedal to the pedal shaft, resulting in loss of directional control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Required within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent fatigue cracking in the welds which connect the pilot and co-pilot dual-control, or pilot single-control directional control pedal (directional control pedal) to the pedal shaft, resulting in loss of directional control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Modify each directional control pedal assembly, part number (P/N) 900C1012007-107, -109, -111, -113, or 900C6012007-111 (pilot dual control); or P/N 900C1012207-105, -107, -109, -111, or -113 (co-pilot dual control); or P/N 900C1010007-107, -109, -111, -113, or 900C6010007-111 (pilot single control), by removing the existing pedals, removing the welded pedal support plate from the pedal shafts, and installing a directional control pedal modification kit, P/N SBK-010, in accordance with part 2, Accomplishment Instructions, in MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-100, dated April 5, 2006. One modification kit is required to be installed on helicopters with single controls and two modification kits are required to be installed on helicopters with dual controls.
(b) Using a permanent ink, ink stamp the P/N, 90005340111-101, on the pedal shaft of each modified directional control pedal assembly.
(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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, ATTN: Roger Durbin, Airframe Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 627-5233, fax (562) 627-5210, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with the specified portions of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-100, dated April 5, 2006. 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 MD Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9734, telephone 1-800-388-3378, fax 480-346-6813. 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 June 2, 2008.
