Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15510 · Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, S-61D, S-61E, and S-61V Helicopters
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, S-61D, S-61E, and S-61V Helicopters
Model S-61A, S-61D, S-61E, and S-61V helicopters with GE CT 58 series engines installed, certificated in any category.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) model helicopters that requires installing an electric chip detector on each engine and an on-board chip detector annunciation system. The AD also requires revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to add procedures for crew response to the illumination of an on-board chip detector warning light. This AD also requires testing the engine chip detector system at specified intervals. This amendment is prompted by reports of Number 5 engine bearing failures. Failure of the bearing resulted in erratic movement of the high-speed, engine-to-transmission shaft (shaft), an oil leak, an in-flight fire, and an emergency landing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect an impending bearing failure, which if undetected and not addressed by appropriate crew action may result in an oil leak, a severed shaft housing, an uncontained in-flight fire, and a subsequent emergency landing.
Required within 60 days, unless accomplished previously.
To detect an impending Number 5 engine bearing (bearing) failure, which if undetected and not addressed by appropriate crew action may result in an oil leak, severed shaft housing, an uncontained in-flight fire, and a subsequent emergency landing, do the following:
(a) Remove engine chip detector, part number (P/N) 2005T33P01, and install engine chip detector, P/N 3049T42P01 or 3018T72P01, in the engine power turbine accessory drive assembly of each engine. Install the chip detector by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B., of General Electric Aircraft Engines CT58 Service Bulletin Number 72-0195, dated May 1, 2003.
Note: This AD neither requires installing GE CT58 engines nor replacing an engine power turbine accessory drive assembly that has a 5/16 inch magnetic plug port and applies only to Sikorsky Model S-61A, S-61D, S-61E, and S-61V helicopters with GE CT58 series engines installed.
(b) Install an on-board engine chip detector annunciation system by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B. or 3.C., as appropriate for the different manufacturers of the master warning caution panel, of the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service Bulletin No. 61B30-15A, Revision A, dated October 20, 2003 (Sikorsky ASB).
(c) After doing paragraph (b) of this AD, before further flight, perform a functional test of the engine chip detector system. Repeat the test at intervals not to exceed 150 hours time-in-service. Conduct the tests following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.D., of the Sikorsky ASB.
(d) Insert the emergency procedures contained in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.F., of the Sikorsky ASB for an on-board engine chip detector warning indicator light into the Emergency Procedures section of the applicable Rotorcraft Flight Manual.
(e) 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, Engine and Propeller Directorate, FAA, ATTN: Kirk Gustafson, Aviation Safety Engineer, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7190, fax (781) 238-7170, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
(f) Installing an engine chip detector shall be done by following the specified portions of General Electric Aircraft Engines CT58 Service Bulletin Number 72-0195, dated May 1, 2003. Installing an on-board engine chip detector annunciation system and performing a functional test of the engine chip detector system shall be done by following the specified portions of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service Bulletin No. 61B30-15A, Revision A, dated October 20, 2003. 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.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on June 12, 2008.
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
