Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16762 · Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A Helicopters
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A Helicopters
Model S-92A helicopters with landing gear retract actuator (actuator), part number (P/N) 92250-00800-103, with a serial number (S/N) 101-00026 through 101-00237, without the modification letter “B” stamped on the nameplate, certificated in any category.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters. This action requires making pen and ink changes, inserting a copy of this AD, or inserting specified temporary revisions into the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) limiting the maximum rolling groundspeed for a normal landing or takeoff from 65 knots to 50 knots for helicopters with a certain serial-numbered landing gear retract actuator (actuator). Instead of limiting the groundspeed, replacing the affected actuator with a modified actuator is terminating action for the requirements of this AD. This amendment is prompted by a report of a main landing gear that would not retract. The manufacturer reports that certain actuators were manufactured with down-lock keys that did not meet the specified minimum hardness requirements. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a landing gear collapse following a roll- on landing that exceeds 50 knots groundspeed. These actions are intended to prevent collapse of a landing gear and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent a landing gear collapse and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following:
(a) Revise the operating limitations, “Airspeed Limits” section of the rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) by one of the following methods:
(1) Insert Sikorsky “Temporary Revisions” SA S92A-RFM-000, Revision 2; SA S92A-RFM-002, Revision 6; SA S92A-RFM-003, Revision 5; SA S92A-RFM-004, Revision 5; SA S92A-RFM-005, Revision 4; or SA S92A-RFM-006, Revision 3; all approved January 7, 2011; or
(2) Insert a copy of this AD; or
(3) Make pen and ink changes with the following limitations:
“Maximum rolling groundspeed for normal takeoff or normal landing is 50 knots.”
“After a landing with a rolling groundspeed in excess of 50 knots, any further takeoffs or towing operation is prohibited. Rolling ground taxi operations of less than 50 knots are permitted.”
(b) Following a landing with a rolling groundspeed in excess of 50 knots, or as an alternative to revising the operating limitations section of the RFM in compliance with this AD, before further flight, replace each affected actuator that does not have the modification letter “B” stamped on the nameplate with an airworthy actuator that has the modification letter “B” stamped on the nameplate.
(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: Michael Schwetz, Aviation Safety Engineer, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7761, fax (781) 238-7170, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
Note: Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 92-32-001, dated May 2, 2008, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the subject of this AD.
(d) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 3233: Landing Gear Actuator.
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
