Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16515 · MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD900 Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD900 Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2011-14-05. Comply with the one in force.
Model MD900 helicopters, with lower main rotor hub (hub), part number 900R2101008-103, -105, and -107, installed, certificated in any category.
This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-18-52 which was sent previously to all known owners and operators of MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model MD900 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires visually inspecting the main rotor hub (hub) for a crack. If a crack is found, this AD requires, before further flight, replacing the unairworthy hub with an airworthy hub. Additionally, if a cracked hub is found, this AD requires reporting the finding to the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office within 10 days of finding the crack. This AD is prompted by two reports of cracks detected in the hub in the area near the flex beam bolt hole locations during maintenance on two MDHI Model MD900 helicopters. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect a crack in the hub and prevent failure of the hub and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To detect a crack in the hub and prevent the failure of the hub and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following:
(a) Within 4 hours time-in-service, visually inspect the hub for a crack, paying particular attention to the area of the 5 flex beam bolt hole locations. If you find a crack, before further flight, replace the hub with an airworthy hub.
(b) If you find a crack, within 10 days, report the finding to Roger Durbin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe Branch, e-mail Roger.Durbin@faa.gov or fax (562) 627-5210.
(c) A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
(d) 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, Aviation Safety Engineer, 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.
(e) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 6220: Main Rotor Head.
