AD 2013-03-04

AD Final Rules - 2013-03-04.pdf
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AD Number:
2013-03-04
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
FAA-2012-0602
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Schweizer Aircraft Corporation
Subject:
Rotorcraft tailboom
Status:
Current
Citation:
Federal Register Volume 78, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 12, 2013)
Citation Publish Date:
02/12/2013
Effective Date:
03/19/2013
Make:
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Model:
269D
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Rotorcraft
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39
Comments:
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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 12, 2013)]


[Rules and Regulations]


[Pages 9789-9791]


From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[FR Doc No: 2013-02583]


––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION


Federal Aviation Administration


14 CFR Part 39


[Docket No. FAA-2012-0602; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-061-AD; Amendment 39-17338;


AD 2013-03-04]


RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Schweizer Aircraft Corporation


AGENCY:
 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.


ACTION:
 
Final rule.


––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


SUMMARY:
 
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Schweizer Aircraft


Corporation (Schweizer) Model 269D and Model 269D Configuration A helicopters. The type


certificate for these models is currently held by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky). This AD


requires inspecting the aft fuselage assembly in the area around the attachment point of the horizontal


stabilizer, including the paint, for a crack. This AD also requires inspecting the tailboom interior


support structure, and if necessary, installing an inspection panel kit in the aft fuselage assembly, and


installing doublers in the stabilizer support brackets. This AD is prompted by reports of loose


horizontal stabilizers and cracks in the stabilizer support structure for the extruded tailboom. The


actions are intended to prevent separation of the horizontal stabilizer from the helicopter and


subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.


DATES:
 
This AD is effective March 19, 2013.


The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain


document listed in this AD as of March 19, 2013.


ADDRESSES:
 
For service information identified in this AD, contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation,


Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT


06614; telephone (800) 562-4409; email tsslibrary@sikorsky.com; or at http://www.sikorsky.com.


You may review a copy of the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional


Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.


Examining the AD Docket


You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at


the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
2


holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, any incorporated-by-reference service information, the


economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the


Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket


Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue


SE., Washington, DC 20590.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
 
Stephen Kowalski, Aviation Safety Engineer,


New York Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1600 Stewart Ave., suite


410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-7327; email stephen.kowalski@faa.gov.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:


Discussion


On June 11, 2012, at 77 FR 34281, the Federal Register published our notice of proposed


rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to


Schweizer Model 269D and Model 269D Configuration A helicopters, serial numbers 0001 to


0062A, with aft fuselage assembly part number (P/N) 269D3300-1 installed. That NPRM proposed to


require inspecting the aft fuselage assembly in the area around the attachment point of the horizontal


stabilizer, including the paint, for a crack. That AD also proposed inspecting the tailboom interior


support structure, and if necessary, installing an inspection panel kit in the aft fuselage assembly, and


installing doublers in the stabilizer support brackets. The proposed requirements were prompted by


reports of loose horizontal stabilizers and cracks in the support structure of the extruded tailboom.


The proposed requirements were intended to prevent separation of the horizontal stabilizer from the


helicopter and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.


Comments


We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD, but we received no


comments on the NPRM (77 FR 34281, June 11, 2012).


FAA's Determination


We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is


likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type designs and that air safety and the


public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.


Related Service Information


We have reviewed Schweizer Service Bulletin DB-018.3, dated December 13, 2007 (SB), which


specifies inspecting for cracks in the fuselage assemblies and installing an inspection panel kit and


stabilizer mount doublers. The Type Certificate for these helicopters transferred from Schweizer to


Sikorsky on September 26, 2011.


Differences Between This AD and the Service Information


The Schweizer SB requires contacting the manufacturer if certain damage is found for repair


instructions. This AD does not.