AD/HU 269/98 - Tailboom Centre Attachment Fitting (Cth)

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters

AD/HU 269/98 Tailboom Centre Attachment Fitting 6/91

DM

Applicability: All model 269C series.

Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 91-05-18 Amdt 39- 6857.

Note: Schweizer SB B-239 refers.

Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document but with a revised effective date of 17 April 1991 for Australian registered aircraft.

Note: This Directive shall be entered on the Maintenance Release as maintenance required. The visual inspection required by Para (b)(2) may be performed by the pilot in command, in which case certification is to be made by entering AD/HU269/98 against the daily inspection certification of the Maintenance Release. A copy of this Airworthiness Directive is to be kept in the aircraft.

Background: This AD requires an immediate visual inspection, a repetitive dye penetrant and visual inspection for cracks, and a terminating action by requiring replacement of the tailboom centre attachment (saddle) fitting. The FAA has received four reports of fatigue damage in the tailboom centre attachment saddle fitting. This damage could result in the complete failure of the fitting and the resultant loss of the tailboom and consequently, control of the helicopter. The effective date required by the FAA is extended by three weeks.