AD 86-01-04

86-01-04 HUGHES HELICOPTERS, INC. (Hughes Helicopters): Amendment 39-5187. Applies to Model 369 series helicopters including military Models YOH-6A and OH-6A, certificated in any category, equipped with tail rotor blades Part Numbers (P/N) 369A1613-3,- 7, -501, and -503, Serial Numbers (S/N) 6928 and prior; P/N's 369D21613-11, -41, and -51, S/N's 5144 and prior; P/N 369D21606, S/N's 0077 and prior; P/N 369D21615, S/N's 0480 and prior; and P/N's 421-088-BSC and -3, all serial numbers.

Compliance is required within the next 100 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent the loss of a tail rotor blade tip cap in flight and subsequent loss of tail rotor control, accomplish the following:

(a) Remove, inspect, and modify blades in accordance with paragraphs a through g, Part I "PROCEDURE" section of Hughes Service Information Notices (SIN) DN-132.1, EN-21.1, FN-9.1, HN-199.1 dated May 1, 1985, or SIN's DN-129, EN-18,and HN-195 dated August 27, 1984.

(b) An alternate method of compliance which provides an equivalent level of safety may be used when approved by the Manager of the Western Aircraft Certification Office, Hawthorne, California.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR Sections 21.197 and 21.199 to ferry aircraft to a maintenance base in order to comply with the requirements of this AD.

The manufacturer's specifications and procedures identified and described in this directive are incorporated herein and made a part hereof pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1). All persons affected by this directive who have not already received these documents from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company, Centinela Avenue and Teale Street, Culver City, California 90230. These documents also may be examined at the FAA, Southwest Region, Room 158, Building 3B, 4400 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76106, or at the Western Aircraft Certification Office, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Hawthorne, California 90250.

This amendment supersedes Amendment 39-4940 (49 FR 43046; October 26, 1984), AD 84-18-08. This amendment becomes effective February 14, 1986.