Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15885 · Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 206A Series, 206B Series, 206L Series, 407, and 427 Helicopters
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 206A Series, 206B Series, 206L Series, 407, and 427 Helicopters
Bell Model 206A series, 206B series, and 206L series helicopters with a cyclic control lever assembly (lever assembly), part number (P/N) 206-001-401-111, 206-001-400-115, or 206-001-400-111, with less than 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) and Model 407 and 427 helicopters with a lever assembly, P/N 407-001-320-105 or 407-001-320-109, with less than 50 hours TIS, certificated in any category.
This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-07-52 and supersedes Emergency AD 2009-07-51, issued March 17, 2009, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 206A series, 206B series, 206L series, 407, and 427 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, before further flight, inspecting each cyclic control lever assembly (lever assembly) that has less than 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) to determine if it is correctly installed and properly staked in the lever assembly. This amendment is prompted by a Transport Canada AD report of a bearing incorrectly installed in the copilot lever assembly. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of a bearing, failure of the lever assembly, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent failure of a bearing, failure of the lever assembly, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following:
(a) Inspect the lever assembly and determine if the bearing, P/N 206-301-051-101, is correctly installed and properly staked in the lever assembly.
(b) Replace any bearing that is incorrectly installed or improperly staked in the lever assembly.
Note 1: Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-09-121 for the Model 206A and 206B series, No. 206L-09-155 for the Model 206L series, No. 407-09-85 for the Model 407, and No. 427-09-23, for the Model 427, pertain to the subject of this AD. All of the ASBs are dated March 10, 2009.
(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, Safety Management Group, FAA, ATTN: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, 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.
