Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11598 · Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, and 230 Helicopters
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, and 230 Helicopters
Model 222, serial number (S/N) 47006 through 47089; Model 222B, S/N 47131 through 47156; Model 222U, S/N 47501 through 47574; and Model 230, S/N 23001 through 23038, helicopters, with swashplate drive pin (drive pin), part number (P/N) 222-010-455-003, installed, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 222, 222B, 222U, and 230 helicopters. This action requires inspecting the swashplate assembly drive pin (drive pin) for damage or looseness, torque testing to determine if the interference fit between the drive pin and rotating ring (ring) is adequate, and replacing any unairworthy drive pin. This amendment is prompted by an accident investigation that revealed fatigue failure of a drive pin. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of a drive pin and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent fatigue failure of a drive pin and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 150 hours TIS, inspect for damage or looseness and torque test any drive pin, P/N 222-010-455-003, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletins 230-99-16, 222-99-84, or 222U-99-55, all dated February 15, 1999, as applicable. Replace any unairworthy drive pin with an airworthy drive pin.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
