# Proposed AD FAA-2012-0221: Spectrolab Nightsun XP Searchlight

- Type: Proposed airworthiness directive (not in force)
- Status: Became AD 2013-10-01
- Products: Spectrolab Nightsun XP Searchlight Assembly
- Product type: Appliance
- Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
- Published: March 8, 2012, 77 FR 13993
- Comments due: May 7, 2012
- Became: [AD 2013-10-01](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2013-10-01)
- Docket: FAA-2012-0221 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2012-0221, where comments are filed)
- Project: 2010-SW-082-AD
- FR document: 2012-5621
- Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/66/aa/66aa0d571dea44132b3ffa260c61050418fbfffc87467423787473064c6b0baf (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2012-03-08/pdf/2012-5621.pdf)
- Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2012/03/08/2012-5621/airworthiness-directives-spectrolab-nightsun-xp-searchlight
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/59961491383E4FC9862579BB004ABA4A.0001
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2012-0221

## Summary

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for a certain Spectrolab Nightsun XP Searchlight Assembly (searchlight) installed on, but not limited to, Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 and Model AW139 helicopters, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters, and Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model EC135 and Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require, before further flight, inserting information into the Normal Procedures section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), a daily check of the searchlight, and at a specified time interval or if you find certain conditions, modifying any affected searchlight gimbal assembly. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of a searchlight vibrating and an investigation that revealed that the gimbal azimuth top nut was loose. A loose nut, if not detected and corrected, could result in a gap between the rubber edging of the top shroud and the gimbal frame, leading to degredationof pointing accuracy and stability performance of the searchlight, and excessive vibration. If the nut were to entirely disengage, the searchlight could disconnect partially or totally from the helicopter, resulting in damage to the helicopter and injury to persons on the ground.

## Notices in this docket

- Mar 8, 2012: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). (first notice), FR document 2012-5621, comments due May 7, 2012 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2012/03/08/2012-5621/airworthiness-directives-spectrolab-nightsun-xp-searchlight)

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