Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15876 · 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Superseded.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 2010-26-51. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to 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) installed that has a part number and serial number which is listed in the Rotor Blades, Inc. (RBI) document attached to the following Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs), certificated in any category:
| ASB No. | Revision | Date | Helicopter model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 206-07-116 | A | September 19, 2007 | 206A and 206B. |
| 206L-07-148 | A | September 19, 2007 | 206L, L-1, L-3, and L-4. |
| 222-07-106 | C | September 20, 2007 | 222 and 222B. |
| 222U-07-77 | C | September 20, 2007 | 222U. |
| 230-07-38 | C | September 20, 2007 | 230. |
| 407-07-81 | A | September 19, 2007 | 407. |
| 427-07-18 | A | September 19, 2007 | 427. |
| 430-07-41 | C | September 20, 2007 | 430. |
We are adopting a superseding airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 helicopters. That AD currently requires replacing each affected tail rotor blade (blade) with an airworthy blade that has a serial number not listed in the Rotor Blades, Inc. (RBI) document that is attached to each of the Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs) listed in the applicability section of the AD. That AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of Canada. The MCAI states that there have been three reports of blade tip weights departing from the blade during flight. Since issuing that AD, BHTC has issued revised service information to correct part numbers and serial numbers listed in the RBI document that is attached to each BHTC ASB and to add additional part-numbered and serial-numbered blades to the list. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent loss of a blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Before further flight, unless already accomplished, replace any affected blade with an airworthy blade. An airworthy blade is one that has a part number and a serial number that is not listed in the RBI document that is attached to each ASB listed in the Applicability section of this AD.
The actions required by this AD only apply to those blades listed in the RBI document that is attached to the ASBs listed in paragraph (c). The MCAI allows use of those ASBs, or “later revisions approved by Chief, Continuing Airworthiness, Transport Canada.”
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, ATTN: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
ATA Code 6410: Tail Rotor Blades.
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.
