FAA Issues Emergency AD For Sikorsky S-92 Helicopters | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.14.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.15.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.16.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.17.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Wed, Jan 18, 2017

FAA Issues Emergency AD For Sikorsky S-92 Helicopters

Follows Multiple Reports Of Issues With Tail Rotors

The FAA has issued an emergency AD (2016-24-51) following three reports of operators losing tail rotor (TR) control caused by a failed tail rotor pitch change shaft (TRPCS) assembly bearing.

Following the first two reports, the FAA issued and subsequently published as a final rule Emergency AD 2016-24-51 (81 FR 95425, December 28, 2016). That AD applies to Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters with a TRPCS assembly that has less than 80 hours time-in-service (TIS) with bearings that were manufactured prior to November 3, 2016. Emergency AD 2016-24-51 is intended to address an unsafe condition with low-time bearings by requiring removal of TRPCS assemblies that have less than 5 hours TIS and one-time inspections for certain conditions.

Since Emergency AD 2016-24-51 was issued, a third report of an S-92A helicopter losing TR control was reported, and a preliminary investigation determined that the bearing failed despite having more than 80 hours TIS. The FAA has determined that the unsafe condition can exist on TRPCS bearings regardless of hours TIS. Therefore, this Emergency AD applies to all TRPCS assemblies.

This Emergency AD requires a one-time visual inspection and a repetitive borescope inspection of the TRPCS assembly bearing. The repetitive inspection is intended to detect bearing deterioration. The actions in this Emergency AD are intended to detect a binding bearing, prevent loss of TR control, and possible loss of control of the helicopter.

The Emergency AD requires, before further flight, removing the TRPCS assembly and inspecting the bearing. If the bearing does not rotate freely; the bearing sounds rough or chatters; there is any purged grease with metal particles; a nick or dent; or if there is a cut, tear, or distortion in the bearing seal, before further flight, replacing the TRPCS assembly is required. It also requires, within 10 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS, inspecting the TRPCS assembly with a borescope. If the white Teflon seal or snap ring is missing, or if there is a rip, tear, or heat damage on the seal or if there is no gap in the snap ring, replacing the TRPCS assembly is required before further flight.

The FAA considers this Emergency AD to be an interim action. If final action is later identified, it might consider further rulemaking at that time.

(Image from file)

FMI: Emergency AD

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (07.15.25): Charted Visual Flight Procedure Approach

Charted Visual Flight Procedure Approach An approach conducted while operating on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan which authorizes the pilot of an aircraft to proceed >[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (07.15.25)

“When l became the Secretary of Defense, I committed to rebuild our military to match threats to capabilities. Drones are the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation, >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.15.25)

Aero Linx: Stearman Restorers Association Welcome to the Stearman Restorers Association. The Stearman Restorers Association is an independent “Not for Profit” 501C-3 Co>[...]

NTSB Final Report: Kjelsrud Gary Kitfox

Airplane Exhibited A Partial Loss Of Engine Power When It Was About Halfway Down The Runway Analysis: The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane was departing from his pr>[...]

NTSB Prelim: Cessna A150L

The Flight Path Was Consistent With Low-Altitude Maneuvering On June 18, 2025, about 0922 mountain standard time, a Cessna A150L airplane, N6436F, was substantially damaged when it>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC