AD 98-26-02

final rule
Data completeness: 60%

Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V Helicopters

AD Number
98-26-02
Status
final_rule
Effective Date
Product Category
aircraft
Docket
96-SW-29-AD

Applicability

TypeManufacturerModelDetails
aircraft Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation S-61A Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V Helicopters
aircraft Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation S-61D Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V Helicopters
aircraft Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation S-61E Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V Helicopters
aircraft Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation S-61L Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V Helicopters
aircraft Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation S-61N Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V Helicopters
aircraft Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation S-61NM Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V Helicopters
aircraft Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation S-61R Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V Helicopters
aircraft Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation S-61V Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V Helicopters

Unsafe Condition

Fatigue crack in the main rotor shaft could result in shaft structural failure, loss of power to the main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Required Actions

Within 30 calendar days or 240 hours time-in-service after the effective date, determine if the shaft has been used in repetitive external lift (REL) operations. For shafts used in REL operations, within 1,100 hours time-in-service after the effective date, conduct a non-destructive inspection (NDI) for cracks in the shaft per the Overhaul Manual. Remove and replace any cracked shaft with an airworthy one, and mark shafts per Sikorsky ASB 61B35-68.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Compliance Time

Within the next 30 calendar days or 240 hours time-in-service after the effective date, whichever occurs first; and within 1,100 hours time-in-service after the effective date for shafts used in REL operations.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Affected Aircraft

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V helicopters with main rotor shaft part numbers S6135-20640-001, S6135-20640-002, or S6137-23040-001.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Source: Official FAA Source ↗

Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026

Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain

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