Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, LLC Helicopters
Key claim: The FAA proposes to expand an existing airworthiness directive for MD Helicopters models to require replacing or reidentifying certain overrunning clutch assemblies and updating maintenance manuals to address an unsafe condition.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration) The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 90- 19-02, which applies to all MD Helicopters, LLC (type certificate previously held by McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company) Model 369, 369A, 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, and 369HS, helicopters, that are equipped with a cargo hook. AD 90-19-02 requires replacing the overrunning clutch assembly and sprag assembly with airworthy parts and repetitively inspecting the sprag assembly, clutch inner and outer races of the overrunning clutch assembly. Since the FAA issued AD 90-19-02, after further analysis the FAA determined that additional helicopter models are affected by this unsafe condition. This proposed AD would expand the applicability and would require removing certain overrunning clutch assemblies and certain overrunning clutch subassemblies from service, installing or replacing parts, and reidentifying certain overrunning clutch assemblies, as applicable. This proposed AD would also require for certain model helicopters, revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the existing aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Why this matters
The proposal would change component-handling and maintenance-documentation requirements for operators of affected MD Helicopters models to address an identified unsafe condition involving overrunning clutch assemblies. The expanded requirements are not yet final and should be distinguished from the separate MD Helicopters coupling-spline and torque-tube actions already logged.