AD 2006-19-05 Airworthiness Directives; Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc. (Previously Utah State University); Firefly Aviation Helicopter Services (Previously Erickson Air-Crane Co.); California Department of Forestry; Garlick Helicopters, Inc.; Global Helicopter Technology, Inc.; Hagglund Helicopters, LLC (Previously Western International Aviation, Inc.); International Helicopters, Inc.; Precision Helicopters, LLC;

Makes named: robinson. Models named: HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, UH-1P. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P helicopters, and Southwest Florida Model SW204, SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1 helicopters, with tail rotor (T/R) slider, part number (P/N) 204-010-720-3 or P/N 204010720-3, installed, certificated in any category.

Required as indicated. To prevent failure of the T/R slider, which could result in loss of T/R control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following: (a) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS), unless accomplished previously: (1) Review the helicopter records to determine the Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code of the T/R slider. If necessary, remove the installed T/R slider to determine the CAGE code. (2) If the T/R slider is an FAA approved part; for example, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part, and has a legible CAGE code other than Code 15716 or 26098; no further action is required. (3) If you cannot determine whether the T/R slider is an FAA approved part and it contains no stamped CAGE code, an illegible stamped CAGE code, or is stamped with a CAGE code 15716 or 26098: (i) Before further flight, unless accomplished previously, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS, magnaflux inspect the T/R slider for a crack. (ii) If a crack is found, before further flight, replace the cracked T/R slider with an airworthy T/R slider. Note 1: T/R sliders manufactured by Forest Scientific, Inc., were produced under a military contract and do not meet the OEM specifications. The machining process resulted in excess surface roughness. See Figure 1 of this AD. ER11SE06.033 Tail rotor sliders manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (left) and Forest Scientific, Inc. (right). Note the rough finish of the Forest Scientific, Inc.-manufactured T/R slider compared to the one shown on the left. Note 2: T/R sliders manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. have a vibro-etched P/N on them and do not have a CAGE code marking on the part. (iii) On or before accumulating 1000 hours TIS or on or before 12 months, whichever occurs first, replace each T/R slider that has an illegible CAGE code or Code 15716 or 26098 with an FAA approved airworthy slider without a CAGE code or with a legible CAGE code other than 15716 or 26098. Any T/R slider removed from service based on the requirements of this paragraph is not eligible for installation on any helicopter. (iv) Replacing the T/R slider with an FAA approved airworthy T/R slider without a CAGE code or with a legible CAGE code other than 15716 or 26098, constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD. (b) 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, Denver Aircraft Certification Office (ANM-100D), ATTN: Kreg Voorhies, Aerospace Engineer, 26805 E. 68th Ave., Room 214, Denver, Colorado 80249, telephone (303) 342-1092, fax (303) 342-1088, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance. (c) This amendment becomes effective on October 16, 2006. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 5, 2006. David A. Downey, Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 06-7577 Filed 9-8-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P