Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-13118 · Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, and 230 Helicopters
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, and 230 Helicopters
Model 222 helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 47006 through 47089; Model 222B helicopters, S/N 47131 through 47156; Model 222U helicopters, S/N 47501 through 47574; and Model 230 helicopters, S/N 23001 through 23038, with main rotor pendulum weight support (pendulum weight support), part number (P/N) 222-011- 114-101 or -103, except for pendulum weight supports with a S/N having a prefix of "FN" and numbers 363 through 409, installed, certificated in any category.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 222, 222B, 222U, and 230 helicopters. This action requires inspecting the main rotor pendulum weight support (pendulum weight support) for file or grinding marks, gouges, and appropriate edge breaks. It also requires, if necessary, reworking and remarking or replacing the pendulum weight support. Regardless, this AD requires a magnetic particle inspection for a crack and replacing the pendulum weight support if a crack is found. This amendment is prompted by a pendulum weight support failure and shedding of the pendulum weight set in flight and a subsequent determination of manufacturing defects on certain serial-numbered pendulum weight supports. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the pendulum weights separating from the pendulum weight support and striking the vertical fin or tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
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.
