Fri, Sep 07, 2012
Action Prompted By EASA, Transport Canada ADs
The FAA is proposing to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105S, BO-105LS A-1, BO-105LS A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-1, MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A- 4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK-117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters to require inspections for corrosion or thread damage to each tail rotor balance weight (weight) and each tail rotor control lever (lever).
This proposed AD is prompted by an EASA AD and a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD, both issued based on a report that corrosion was detected on a weight in the area of the attachment thread on a model BO-105 helicopter. The proposed actions are intended to detect corrosion and thread damage in the threaded area of the weight and lever, and to prevent failure of a weight or lever, separation of tail rotor parts, severe vibration, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
The proposed AD would require compliance with specified portions of the manufacturer's service bulletin in conducting repetitive visual inspections of each weight and lever and would provide procedures for installing a weight or lever. Additionally, it proposes allowable tolerances for corrosion or thread damage on the threaded portion of a weight or lever and would require that a part with corrosion or mechanical damage in excess of allowable tolerances be replaced with an airworthy part.
The FAA's proposed AD does not provide an extra 60 flight hours or 6 months beyond the repetitive compliance time of 600 flight hours or 48 months for the repetitive inspections, as stipulated by both the European and Canadian ADs. These proposals only apply to those model helicopters type-certificated in the United States.
Comments are due on the proposed AD by October 29.
More News
Instrument Runway A runway equipped with electronic and visual navigation aids for which a precision or nonprecision approach procedure having straight-in landing minimums has been>[...]
Aero Linx: Alaska Airmen's Association The Alaska Airmen's Association includes over 2,000 members—we are one of the largest General Aviation communities in the country. We s>[...]
Also: Flt School Security, G600 Steep-Approach, Honduran Aid, PW545D Cert Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooki>[...]
Also: SkyReach Parts Support, Piper Service Ctr, Airliner Near-Miss, Airshow London The Judge overseeing Icon's convoluted Chapter 11 process has approved $9 million in Chapter 11 >[...]
Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh! The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway >[...]