AD 2014-24-02 Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters

This AD supersedes AD 2014-07-51, Amendment 39-17902 (79 FR 45329, August 5, 2014).

(1) For helicopters with the M/R rotating controls installed without special nut P/N 3G6230A06851, within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter before the first flight of each day or at intervals not exceeding 24 hours, whichever occurs later; and for helicopters with the M/R rotating controls installed with special nut P/N 3G6230A06851, within 25 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 25 hours TIS: (i) Visually inspect the M/R rotating scissors for damage using a light source and a magnifying glass, paying particular attention to the bearings. Some examples of damage are shown in Figures 4 through 8 of AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-392, dated September 23, 2014 (BT 139-392). If there is damage, before further flight, remove the bearing. (ii) Inspect the M/R rotating scissors for play of each bearing, paying particular attention to the bearing staking condition, by manually moving the lower half scissor along the axis of the spherical bearing. Refer to Figure 1 of BT 139-392. If there is play, before further flight, accomplish a detailed inspection of the M/R rotating scissors in accordance with steps 9.1 through 12.9 of AgustaWestland AW139 Document Code 39-C-62-31-00-00A-286C-A, Rotating control installation—Fixed swashplate and rotating scissors—Detailed inspection, issue 001, dated August 6, 2012. Any play beyond allowable limits requires removing the bearing before further flight. (2) Within 50 hours TIS from August 20, 2014, remove any bearing from a M/R rotating scissors with serial numbers (S/N) listed in Table 1 of AgustaWestland Bolletino Tecnico No. 139-368, dated March 19, 2014 (BT 139-368), on which the bearing has never been replaced; or from a M/R rotating scissors on which the bearing was replaced with a bearing with a S/N listed in Table 2 of BT 139-368. (3) Within 100 hours TIS, install special nut P/N 3G6230A06851 in accordance with steps 5.1. through 6., Part II, of the Compliance Instructions, of BT 139-392. (4) Prior to installing a M/R rotating scissors with a S/N listed in Table 1 of BT 139-368, replace the bearing and re-identify the M/R rotating scissors in accordance with paragraphs 4.2 through 4.4., Part II, of the Compliance Instructions of BT 139-368. (5) Do not install a bearing with a S/N listed in Table 2 of BT 139-368 into any M/R rotating scissors.

(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email robert.grant@faa.gov. (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC.

You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time.

This AD defines the unsafe condition as excessive play of the bearing in the M/R rotating scissors. This condition could result in failure of the M/R rotating scissors and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.