Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15264 · Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 Helicopters
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2009-08-03. Comply with the one in force.
Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 helicopters, with a tail rotor blade (blade) having a part number and serial number as listed in the following Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs), installed, certificated in any category.
| ASB No. | Revision | Date | Helicopter model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 206-07-116 | September 11, 2007 | 206A and 206B. | |
| 206L-07-148 | September 11, 2007 | 206L, L-1, L-3, and L-4. | |
| 222-07-106 | A | September 13, 2007 | 222 and 222B. |
| 222U-07-77 | A | September 13, 2007 | 222U. |
| 230-07-38 | A | September 13, 2007 | 230. |
| 407-07-81 | September 11, 2007 | 407. | |
| 427-07-18 | September 11, 2007 | 427. | |
| 430-07-41 | A | September 13, 2007 | 430. |
This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-19-52, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of the specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) model helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires replacing each affected tail rotor blade (blade) with an airworthy blade with a serial number not listed in the Rotor Blades, Inc. (RBI), attachment to the BHTC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB), listed in the applicability section of this AD. This amendment is prompted by three incidents in which blade tip weights were slung from blades during flight causing significant vibration. The actions specified are intended to prevent loss of a blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent loss of a blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Before further flight, replace any affected blade with an airworthy blade with a serial number not listed in the Rotor Blade, Inc. (RBI), attachment to an ASB listed in the applicability section of this AD.
(b) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Manager, Regulations and Guidance Group, FAA, ATTN: Sharon Miles, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
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.
