AD 93-18-05

93-18-05 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER COMPANY and HUGHES HELICOPTERS, INC.: Amendment 39-8690. Docket Number 92-ASW-33.

Applicability: Model 369D, 369E (Serial No. 0001E thru 0508E), 369F (Serial No. 0003 thru 0091), 369FF (Serial No. 0003 thru 0091), and 369H series helicopters, equipped with fuel vent line emergency shutoff valve assemblies, part number (P/N) 369H8108, 369H8108-501 or 369H8108-503, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Helicopters with less than 2,400 hours' time-in-service on the effective date of this AD shall be inspected on or before attaining 2,500 hours' time-in-service, and thereafter, at an interval not to exceed 100 hours' time-in-service from the last inspection until an improved fuel vent line emergency shutoff valve assembly (assembly) is installed in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. Helicopters with 2,400 hours' or more time-in-service on the effective date of this AD shall be inspected in accordance with this AD within thenext 100 hours' time-in-service, and thereafter, at an interval not to exceed 100 hours' time-in-service from the last inspection until an improved assembly is installed in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD.

To prevent erroneously high inflight fuel quantity indications due to a blocked fuel vent line in the assembly, accomplish the following:

(a) Remove the assembly from the helicopter as required by the appropriate Model 369 maintenance manual.

(b) Inspect the fuel vent line emergency shutoff valve (valve) in accordance with Part I, Fuel Vent Line Emergency Shutoff Valve Inspection, of McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company Service Information Notice HN-234, DN-181, EN-73, FN-60, dated January 17, 1992.

(c) If the inspections conducted in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (b) uncover an incorrectly closed or obstructed valve, before further flight install an airworthy assembly in accordance with the appropriate Model 369 maintenance manual.(d) Install assembly, P/N 369H8108-505 or higher dash number, as follows, unless already accomplished:

(1) For helicopters with 2,400 hours' or more time-in-service on the effective date of this AD, install the assembly on or before attaining the next 600 hours' time-in-service.

(2) For helicopters with less than 2,400 hours' time-in-service on the effective date of this AD, install the assembly before attaining 3,000 hours' time-in-service.

(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time, which provides an acceptable level of safety, may be used when approved by the Manager, Propulsion Branch, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 E. Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-2425. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Propulsion Branch, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

NOTE: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Manager, Propulsion Branch, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

(f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(g) The inspection shall be done in accordance with MDHC Service Information Notice HN-234, DN-181, EN-73, FN-60, dated January 17, 1992. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies may be obtained from McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company, 5000 East McDowell Road, Mesa, Arizona 85205-9797, Attention: Field Service Department. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 4400 Blue Mound Road, bldg 3B, room 158, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(h) This amendment becomes effective December 21, 1993.