COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Sikorsky S-76 Series Helicopters

AD/S76/62 Tail Gearbox Forward Fairing to Pylon Attachment Angle

Applicability: All Model S-76A, B, and C helicopters.

12/99

DM

Requirement: Perform a visual inspection of the attachment angle on each tail gearbox forward fairing in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph A, of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 76-55-16, dated May 12 1999.

If the inspection reveals a disbond area that equals or exceeds 1.0 square inch, before further flight, repair or replace the attachment angle with a serviceable angle in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph B, of ASB 76-55-16.

Note: FAA AD 99-19-30 Amdt 39-11317 refers.

Compliance: Within 50 hours time in service after 20 October 1999, unless the initial inspection is already accomplished. Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1500 hours time in service.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 October 1999.

Background: The FAA received reports of incidents, two in flight and eight on the ground, of tail gearbox forward fairing bonding failures. Separation of the fairing could result in damage to the tail rotor blades and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.