The United States Federal Aviation Administration has issued two new airworthiness directives affecting certain Eurocopter BK117 and various restricted category helicopters.
The first AD affects Eurocopter Model MBB- BK117 A-3, MBB-BK117 A-4, MBB-BK117 B-1, and MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopters with a Metro Aviation vapor-cycle air conditioning kit installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate No. SH3880SW. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the air conditioning drive pulley for looseness and properly installed lockwire, and also requires reinstalling the pulley. This AD is prompted by two reports of the pulley detaching from the rotor brake disc on the tail rotor driveshaft. These actions are intended to prevent separation of the pulley, damage to the T/R driveshaft, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
This AD becomes effective July 24, 2013. To read the complete text of the AD on the FAA website, click here.
The second AD affects restricted category Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P helicopters with certain main rotor hub inboard strap fittings installed. This AD requires a magnetic particle inspection of the fittings for a crack, and if there is a crack, replacing the fitting with an airworthy fitting. This AD is prompted by reports of cracked fittings on Bell model helicopters and the determination that these same part-numbered fittings may be installed on various restricted category helicopters. These actions are intended to detect a crack in a fitting, which may lead to failure of a fitting, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.
This AD becomes effective July 24, 2013. To read the complete text of the AD on the FAA website, click here.
