Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11523 · Kaman Aerospace Corporation Model K1200 Helicopters
Kaman Aerospace Corporation Model K1200 Helicopters
Model K-1200 helicopters, with clutch assembly, part number (P/N) K974002-701, installed, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Emergency Priority Letter Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-26- 04, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman) Model K1200 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, before the first flight of each day, inspecting for clutch assembly integrity. Replacing any unairworthy clutch assembly with an airworthy clutch assembly is required before further flight. This amendment is prompted by two incidents of engine adapter flange failure and loss of power to the main rotors. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the engine adapter flange, loss of power to the main rotors, and a subsequent forced landing.
To prevent failure of the engine adapter flange, loss of power to the main rotors, and a subsequent forced landing, accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect the integrity of the clutch assembly, in a location where background noise would not hinder evaluation, by firmly and uniformly rotating the Kaflex shaft in the anti-rotating direction (counter-clockwise looking forward) while maintaining hand contact. The anti-rotation speed should be approximately one-fourth to one-half revolution per second. An unairworthy clutch will feel rough with a continuous dry “raspy” feel and sound, or it may feel as though the clutch has heavy detents or “catches” on the interior surface that impede the free rotary motion.
(b) Remove any unairworthy clutch assembly, P/N K974002-701, before further flight and replace with an airworthy clutch assembly.
Note 2: Kaman K-1200 K-MAX Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision (TR) No. 284, dated November 5, 1999, which revises the procedures for engine area daily inspections and TR No. 289, dated November 12, 1999, which describes the method of inspecting the transmission assembly, pertain to the subject of this AD.
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
