AD 2020-15-06 Airworthiness Directives; PZL Swidnik S.A. Helicopters

This AD becomes effective August 11, 2020.

(1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests 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.

The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD No. 2018-0092-E, dated April 20, 2018. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2018-0753.

(1) Within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS), using a light source and mirror, and paying particular attention to the area above the Main XSMN mounting flange as shown in Attachment 1, Sketch 2 LH side and Sketch 2 RH side of Wytwórnia Sprzętu Komunikacyjnego “PZL-Świdnik” Spółka Akcyjna Mandatory Bulletin No. BO-37-18-294, dated April 12, 2018 (BO-37-18-294), visually inspect the Main XMSN case for a crack and indications of a crack. For purposes of this inspection, indications of a crack may be indicated by paint coat chipping or cracking, a surface scratch, or an oil leak. (i) If there is a crack, before further flight, remove from service the WR-3 Main XMSN. (ii) If there is any indication of a crack, before further flight, clean the Main XMSN case with a cotton cloth and washing or degreasing agent (extraction naphtha or equivalent), and using a 5X or greater power magnifying glass, visually inspect the area for a crack. (A) If there is a crack, before further flight, remove from service the WR-3 Main XMSN. (B) If there is no a crack, before further flight, apply white chalk on the area as described in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD and perform a powerplant ground run for 15 minutes with engines running at ground idle rating. After shutting down, either inspect the white chalk area for discoloration of the chalk or dye penetrant inspect the area for a crack. If the chalk is discolored or there is a crack, before further flight, remove from service the WR-3 Main XMSN. Note 1 to paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(B) of this AD: Wytwórnia Sprzętu Komunikacyjnego “PZL-Świdnik” Spółka Akcyjna service information refers to a dye penetrant inspection as a color penetrant inspection. (2) Thereafter following paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS, do the actions required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.

This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in the Main XMSN case. This condition could result in the structural failure and loss of load carrying capabilities of the Main XMSN and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.