Is AD 97-16568 a recurring Airworthiness Directive?

No — AD 97-16568 is a one-time directive. Verify it was complied with in the aircraft's records.

Which aircraft does AD 97-16568 apply to?

AD 97-16568 applies to Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems — models MD-900. Serial/part conditions may narrow it to specific aircraft.

Airworthiness Directive 97-16568

one-time

AD 97-16568 · 1997-06-25 · airframe

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems Model MD-900 Helicopters

What this AD requires

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems (MDHS) Model MD- 900 helicopters. This action requires applying specified serial numbers to the left and right vertical stabilizer control system (VSCS) bellcrank assemblies, the forward and aft deck-fitting assemblies, and the mid-forward and mid-aft truss strut assemblies; and establishes new life limits for the non-rotating swashplate assembly, the collective drive link assembly, and the self-aligning, spherical/slider main rotor bearing. This amendment is prompted by additional manufacturer's analysis which indicates a need for the reduction of the life limit on several parts and the addition of non-serialized parts to the life- limited parts list. The actions specified in this AD are intended to establish a life limit for various parts and reduce the current life limit on other parts.

Which aircraft AD 97-16568 applies to

MakesMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems

ModelsMD-900

Serial-conditional — narrows to serials 0002–0012, 0002–0048.

Part-conditional — 900F2401200-102, 900F2401500-103, 900F2401600-103, 900F2341712-101, 900FP341712-103, 900F2401300-103, 900C2010192-105, 900C2010192-107.

Establishes/reduces life limits for MD-900 main rotor system components. S/N 0002-0012: apply S/Ns to mid-forward truss assembly and forward/aft deck-fitting assemblies. S/N 0002-0048: apply S/Ns to VSCS bellcrank assemblies and mid-aft truss strut assembly. Retirement lives set for non-rotating swashplate (554 hrs TIS), collective drive link (1,480 hrs TIS), main rotor bearing (480 hrs TIS), and VSCS bellcrank/arm assembly (2,700 hrs TIS). Per McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems SB900-039 Rev 2.

Whether AD 97-16568 actually applies to your aircraft (by serial and installed parts) and whether it’s already complied with comes from that aircraft’s records.

How AD compliance is recorded

A valid compliance record (14 CFR 43.9) states:

Method of compliance — The specific action taken (inspected, replaced, modified) and to what revision.

Date — When the work was done.

Aircraft time — Total time in service / tach at compliance — how recurring next-due is computed.

Signature & certificate — The A&P/IA who returned it to service, with certificate number.

Is AD 97-16568 complied with on your aircraft?

Tailplate reads a tail number’s logbooks and matches every applicable AD — including this one — to its compliance evidence, with recurring next-due dates computed.

Look up a tail number →Read the full directive (Federal Register)

Applicability is derived from the FAA directive corpus and is advisory, not a legal airworthiness determination. Compliance is established only from an aircraft’s actual records.