Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15312 · Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 430 Helicopters
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 430 Helicopters
Model 430 helicopters, serial numbers 49001 through 49106, with a servo actuator-to-actuator support attachment bolt (bolt), part number (P/N) 50-047C8-31, installed, which attaches the lower two cyclic servo actuators and the lower collective servo actuator to the three lower actuator supports, certificated in any category.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 helicopters that requires replacing a certain servo actuator-to-actuator support attachment bolt (bolt) with an airworthy bolt. This action also requires establishing a retirement life for certain bolts and recording the retirement life on a component history card or equivalent record. This amendment is prompted by further evaluation of certain fatigue- critical parts, resulting in establishing a life limit of 5,000 hours for the affected bolts. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of the bolt and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent fatigue failure of the bolt and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following:
(a) Within 150 hours time-in-service (TIS), replace all three affected bolts, as depicted for one of these bolts in Figure 1 of this AD, with airworthy, zero-time bolts, P/N 50-047C8-31.
Note 1: Only the right servo lower attach bolt (1) is shown. The collective and left cyclic servo lower attach bolts are also to be replaced. (This AD does not apply to the same part-numbered bolts at the upper end of each servo.)
Note 2: Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 430-05-33, dated February 16, 2005, pertains to the subject of this AD.
(b) This AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual by establishing a retirement life of 5000 hours TIS for each bolt.
(c) Record a 5000-hour TIS life limit for each bolt on the component history card or equivalent record.
(d) 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 Safety Management Group, FAA, ATTN: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, 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.
