AD 98-07-11 Airworthiness Directives; GKN Westland Helicopters Limited WG-30 Series 100 and 100-60 Helicopters

Westland 30 Series 100 and 100-60 helicopters with main rotor head and spider assemblies, part number (P/N) WG1369-0062-all dash numbers, and main rotor head assemblies, P/N WG3069-0011, 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 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 use the authority provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any helicopter from the applicability of this AD.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent failure of a main rotor tie-bar (tie-bar), loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following: (a) Before further flight, visually inspect all tie-bars for bulging or swelling in accordance with Steps 2(B)(1) through 2(B)(4) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Westland Helicopters Limited (Westland) Service Bulletin (SB) No. W30-62-34, dated November 29, 1995. Replace any unairworthy tie bar(s) with airworthy tie bar(s). (b) At intervals not to exceed 220 hours time-in-service (TIS), replace each tie-bar with a zero-time airworthy tie-bar or an airworthy tie-bar which has been inspected in accordance with Westland SB No. W30-62-35, dated November 29, 1995, Annexe A through Annexe C. (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Rotorcraft Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff. Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff. [[Page 15758]] (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with Sec. Sec. sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (e) The inspections shall be done in accordance with Westland SB No. W30-62-34 and SB No. W30-62-35, both dated November 29, 1995. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from GKN Westland Helicopters Limited, Customer Support Division, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 2YB, England, telephone (01935) 703884, fax (01935) 703905. 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 Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 16, 1998. Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Civil Aviation Administration (United Kingdom) AD 010-11-95 and AD 011-11-95, both dated January 31, 1996. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 24, 1998. Eric Bries, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 98-8468 Filed 3-31-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U