Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15669 · Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 Helicopters
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 Helicopters
Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 helicopters, with a main rotor hydraulic actuator support (support), part number (P/N) 222-040-125-001, installed, certificated in any category.
We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 helicopters. That AD currently requires visually inspecting the main rotor hydraulic actuator support (support) to verify the presence of all dowel pins and sealant between the support and transmission and verifying the proper torque of each attaching nut (nut). This AD requires the same actions as the existing AD and also requires repetitive actions at intervals not to exceed 600 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 12 months, whichever occurs first. This AD is prompted by the discovery that a 12-month compliance requirement was correctly included in an Emergency AD (EAD) that we issued but was inadvertently omitted when we published the Final rule; request for comments following the issuance of the EAD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the support and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent failure of the support 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 600 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first, accomplish the following:
(1) Visually inspect the support for the presence of all dowel pins and for sealant between the support and transmission. If any pin is missing, or if no sealant is visible, before further flight, remove the support and further inspect the support, transmission case, studs, and dowel pins in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 5 through 7, of the applicable Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 222-00-86, 222U-00-57, 230-00-18, or 430-00-17, all dated May 19, 2000 (ASB's). Repair or replace any unairworthy support, transmission case, stud, or dowel pin before further flight.
(2) Verify the torque of the support attaching nuts (nuts). Upper nuts must not rotate at a torque less than 40 in-lbs. Lower nuts must not rotate at a torque less than 90 in-lbs.
(i) If two or more upper nuts rotate at a torque less than 40 in-lbs. or two or more lower nuts rotate at a torque less than 90 in-lbs., before further flight, remove the support and further inspect the support, transmission case, studs, and dowel pins in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 5 through 7, of the applicable ASB's. Repair or replace any unairworthy support, transmission case, stud, or dowel pin before further flight.
(ii) If less than two upper nuts rotate at a torque less than 40 in-lbs. or less than two lower nuts rotate at a torque less than 90 in-lbs., before further flight, retorque the upper nut to 50 to 70 in-lbs. plus tare and the lower nut to 100 to 140 in-lbs. plus tare.
(b) At not less than 20 hours TIS nor more than 30 hours TIS after reinstalling a support for any reason, verify the torque of the nuts in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this AD.
(c) 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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Tyrone Millard, telephone (817) 222-5439, fax (817) 222-5961, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
(d) You must use the specified portions of Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 222-00-86, 222U-00-57, 230-00-18, or 430-00-17, all dated May 19, 2000, to do the required inspections.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of these service bulletins on March 2, 2001 (66 FR 10361, February 15, 2001).
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4, telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax (450) 433-0272.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
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.
