AD 2008-17-51 Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD900 Helicopters

Models named: MD900. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model MD900 helicopters, serial numbers 900-00008 through 900-00128, with part number (P/N) 900C3010045-105 forward directional control cable (control cable), P/N 900C2010582-103 rotating cone control rod, and P/N 9000F2318021 (all dash numbers) tailboom assembly, installed, certificated in any category.

Before further flight, unless done previously. To prevent loss of yaw control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following: (a) Remove the rotating cone, the thruster extension, the rotating cone control rod, and the NAS1193K4CP lock device (2 parts). Do not reinstall the lock device. Use your hand and turn the telescopic part on the aft end of the control cable until it is fully forward on the control cable. Note: The MDHI maintenance manuals CSP-900RMM-2, Sections 67-20-00, 29-00-00, 53-40-00; CSP-SPM, Section 20-30-00; and CSP-900IPL-4 Illustrated Parts pertain to the subject of this AD. (b) Do a fluorescent magnetic particle inspection for a crack in the aft threads of the control cable as depicted in Figure 2 and by following MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Service Bulletin SB900-108R1, dated August 13, 2008, Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions (SB), paragraphs (5)(a) through 5(j). The inspection must be done by an inspector qualified under the guidelines established by MIL-STD-410E, ATA Specification 105, AIA-NAS-410, or an FAA-accepted equivalent for qualification standards of NDT Inspection/Evaluation Personnel. The inspector that accepts or rejects the inspected part must be certified to a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) UT minimum Level II. The part must be inspected to the inspection facilities written procedure approved by a person certified to a Level III. For the magnetic particle examination process and qualifications, follow the American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) E 1444-93  ε1 . (1) If you find a crack, replace the control cable with an airworthy part. (2) If you do not find a crack, demagnetize the cable threads by following paragraphs (6)(a) or (6)(b) of the SB until you reach a gauss level of +/−3. (c) Visually inspect the aft cable attach bracket, depicted in Figure 3 of the SB, for a crack. Inspect for interference with the movement of the control cable or for deformation of the aft cable attach bracket by following paragraphs (9)(a) through (9)(c) of the SB. If a crack or interference with the movement of the control cable or deformation of the aft cable attach bracket exists, replace the bracket with an airworthy part. (d) Cut and modify the aft end of the control cable conduit as depicted in Figure 4 of the SB by following paragraphs (10)(a) through (10)(g) of the SB. (e) Modify the rotating cone control rod by drilling lock wire holes as depicted in Figure 5 of the SB by following paragraphs (11)(a) through (11)(g) of the SB. Using permanent ink, mark the rotating cone control rod with “900C2010582-105.” (f) Inspect the control cable for proper adjustment by following paragraphs (12)(a) through (12)(c), of the SB. (g) Install the rotating cone control rod as depicted in Figure 6 of the SB by following paragraphs (13)(a) through (13)(c) of the SB. Make sure the control cable threads are past the witness hole in the rotating cone control rod. (h) Install the thruster extension. (i) Install the rotating cone. If you adjust the control cable at the attach brackets, inspect for interference with the movement of the control cable or for deformation of the aft cable attach bracket by following paragraph (15) of the SB. If interference with the movement of the control cable or deformation of the aft cable attach bracket exists, replace the bracket with an airworthy part. (j) Rerig the antitorque directional control system. (k) 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: Eric D. Schrieber, Aviation Safety Engineer, Airframe Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone 562-627-5348, fax 562-627-5210, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance. (l) Special flight permits will not be issued. (m) The inspections and modification must be done by following the specified portions of MD Helicopters, Inc. Service Bulletin SB900-108R1, dated August 13, 2008. Copies of this service bulletin may be obtained from MD Helicopters Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9734, telephone 1-800-388-3378, fax 480-346-6813, or on the Web at http://www.mdhelicopters.com . The inspection must also be done by following the magnetic particle examination process and qualifications found in American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) E 1444-93  ε1 , approved February 15, 1993, Standard Practice for Magnetic Particle Examination. Copies of this information may be purchased from AMST International on the Web at http://www.astm.org/ . 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 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. (n) This amendment becomes effective on January 8, 2009, to all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2008-17-51, issued August 14, 2008, which contained the requirements of this amendment. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 19, 2008. Scott A. Horn, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-28367 Filed 12-23-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P