Airworthiness Directive 2011-06-06 on Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. Airplanes Equipped With Pratt & Whitney Canada, Corp. PW610F-A Engines

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. Model EA500 airplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada, Corp. (P&WC) Model PW610F-A engines. The existing AD currently requires incorporating an operating limitation of a maximum operating altitude of 30,000 feet into Section 2, Limitations, of the airplane flight manual (AFM). Since we issued that AD, P&WC has developed a design change for the combustion chamber liner assembly. This new AD retains the requirements of the current AD, clarifies the engine applicability, and allows the option of incorporating the design change to terminate the current operating limitation and restore the original certificated maximum operating altitude of 41,000 feet. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 23, 2012.

2011-06-06_r1.pdf

Airworthiness Directive 2011-25-01 for Apical Industries, Inc., (Apical) Emergency Float Kits

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Apical emergency float kits installed on certain model helicopters under supplemental type certificates. This AD requires adding placards on each side of the fuselage to identify the location and operation of the liferaft external inflation handle. This AD also requires replacing each liferaft operation placard to state that external liferafts are installed. This amendment is prompted by a report of a helicopter that crashed into the water, and the pilot did not deploy the floats and liferafts. Two external T-handles were available for deployment of the liferafts but were not used by the passengers because they were unaware of their location. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent helicopter occupants from further injury due to unnecessary exposure to harsh water conditions and to aid in deploying liferafts when liferafts are available on the helicopter and can be activated after a water landing.

DATES: Effective January 17, 2012.

Below are some affected Models

Agusta AB412, AB412 EP Bell 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 407, 427, 210, 212, 412, 412CF, 412EP Eurocopter BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105LS A-, BO-105S, EC135

2011-25-01.pdf

Airworthiness Directive 2011-25-01 for Apical Industries, Inc., (Apical) Emergency Float Kits

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Apical emergency float kits installed on certain model helicopters under supplemental type certificates. This AD requires adding placards on each side of the fuselage to identify the location and operation of the liferaft external inflation handle. This AD also requires replacing each liferaft operation placard to state that external liferafts are installed. This amendment is prompted by a report of a helicopter that crashed into the water, and the pilot did not deploy the floats and liferafts. Two external T-handles were available for deployment of the liferafts but were not used by the passengers because they were unaware of their location. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent helicopter occupants from further injury due to unnecessary exposure to harsh water conditions and to aid in deploying liferafts when liferafts are available on the helicopter and can be activated after a water landing.

DATES: Effective January 17, 2012.

Below are some affected Models

Agusta AB412, AB412 EP Bell 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 407, 427, 210, 212, 412, 412CF, 412EP Eurocopter BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105LS A-, BO-105S, EC135

2011-25-01.pdf

Airworthiness Directive 2011-25-51 for Continental Motors, Inc. (CMI) Reciprocating Engines

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Continental Motors, Inc. (CMI) models TSIO-520, TSIO-550-K, TSIOF-550K, and IO-550-N series reciprocating engines. This emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these engines. This AD requires replacing affected CMI starter adapters with starter adapters eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by 5 reports received of fractures in starter adapter shaft gears in certain part number (P/N) CMI starter adapters.

This AD is to prevent failure of the starter adapter gear shaft, leading to an inoperable oil scavenge pump and engine in-flight shutdown.

DATES: This AD is effective December 28, 2011 to all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2011-25-51, issued on November 29, 2011, which contained the requirements of this amendment.

2011-25-51.pdf

Airworthiness Directive 2011-25-12 for Pratt & Whitney Canada Turboprop Engines

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-15AG, -27, -28, -34, -34AG, -34B, and -36 series turboprop engines. This AD requires the removal of certain affected part manufacturer approval (PMA) replacement Timken Alcor Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (TAATI) first stage reduction sun gears and/or the interacting planetary gear sets from the propeller reduction gearbox assembly. This AD was prompted by a failure report of a certain TAATI PMA sun gear, installed since December 22, 2008. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the sun gear, which will result in an engine in-flight shut down, possible uncontained engine failure, aircraft damage, and serious injuries.

DATES: This AD is effective December 28, 2011.

2011-25-12.pdf