Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11894 · Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 412, 412EP, and 412CF Helicopters
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 412, 412EP, and 412CF Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2024-16-01. Comply with the one in force.
Model 412, 412EP, and 412CF helicopters with upper left-hand cap angle (cap angle), part number (P/N) 212-030-191-001, 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) for Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) Model 412, 412EP, and 412CF helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the upper left-hand cap angle (cap angle) and adjacent structure for a crack and, before further flight, replacing any cracked cap angle and repairing any crack in the adjacent structure. This AD is prompted by a report of a fatigue crack in a tailboom attachment cap angle. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent failure of a cap angle, loss of the tailboom, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent failure of a cap angle, loss of the tailboom, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, inspect the cap angle and adjacent structure for a crack in the area shown in figure 1. Use a 10-power or higher magnifying glass.
Note 2: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin 412-00-100, dated March 24, 2000, pertains to the subject of this AD.
(1) If a crack is found in the cap angle, replace it with an airworthy cap angle before further flight.
(2) Repair any crack found in the adjacent structure before further flight.
(3) Report any crack found to the Manager of the Rotorcraft Certification Office within 10 days of the inspection. Reporting requirements have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget and assigned OMB control number 2120-0056.
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.
