AD 80-15-12

80-15-12 COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE GIOVANNI AGUSTA: Amendment 39- 3854. Applies to Model A109A series helicopters, certificated in all categories, all serial numbers up to S/N 7165 inclusive, which have main rotor mast bearing inner race P/N 109-0404- 14 installed.

Compliance required as indicated.

To prevent failure of the main rotor mast upper thrust bearing, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 25 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished, visually inspect the area between the swashplate support, P/N 109- 0110-05, and the main transmission upper case flange, for evidence of oil leaks in accordance with "ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS," Part I, paragraph A, of Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109-12, Revision A, dated December 12, 1979 (hereinafter referred to as the Service Bulletin), or an FAA-approved equivalent.

(b) If no evidence of oil leaks is found, continue in service and comply with paragraph (d) of thisAD.

(c) If, as a result of the inspection required in paragraph (a) of this AD, or of a repetitive inspection required by paragraph (d) of this AD, evidence of oil leaks is found, raise swashplate support, P/N 109-0110-05, and carefully inspect, using the visual method, the entire exposed surface of the bearing inner race, P/N 109-0404-14, for evidence of damage or cracks.

(i) If no cracks or damage are found, replace the packing P/N 109-0406-68, with new packing in accordance with "ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS," Part I, paragraph B.2 of the Service Bulletin, or an FAA-approved equivalent.

(ii) If cracks or damage are found, before further flight, except that the helicopter may be flown to a base in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 where the repairs may be accomplished, replace the bearing inner race with a new part number inner race, P/N 109- 0404-14-15, in accordance with "ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS," Part II, of the Service Bulletin, or an FAA-approved equivalent.

(iii) Upon accomplishment of paragraph (c)(i) or (c)(ii) of this AD, return to service and comply with paragraph (d) of this AD.

(d) After the termination of each flight, conduct the inspection described in paragraph (a) of this AD on all helicopters up to S/N 7165, inclusive.

(e) Within the next 200 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished, for all helicopters up to S/N 7165 inclusive, and except for helicopters S/N 7140, 7142, 7148, 7150, 7152, 7158, 7160, 7161, 7162, 7163 and 7164, remove the main rotor mast upper bearing inner race, P/N 109-0404-14, and replace with a new part number bearing inner race, P/N 109-0404-14-15, in accordance with Part II of the Service Bulletin, or an FAA-approved equivalent, and continue to comply with paragraph (d) of this AD.

(f) For all main transmission gearboxes S/N 58 and below, held as spares, replace the main rotor mast upper bearing inner race, P/N 109-0404-14, with a newinner race P/N 109- 0404-14-15 in accordance with Part II of the Service Bulletin before release of the gearbox to service.

(g) Upon request of an operator, the Chief, Aircraft Certification Staff, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office, c/o American Embassy, Brussels, Belgium, may adjust the compliance time specified in paragraph (d) of this AD provided such requests are made through an FAA maintenance inspector and the request contains substantiating data to justify the request for that operator.

(h) For the purpose of this AD, and FAA-approved equivalent may be approved by the Chief, Aircraft Certification Staff, AEU-100, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office, Federal Aviation Administration, c/o American Embassy, Brussels, Belgium.

This amendment becomes effective August 7, 1980.