Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15924 · Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 47, 47B, 47B3, 47D, 47D1, 47E, 47G, 47G-2, 47G-2A, 47G-2A-1, 47G-3, 47G-3B, 47G-3B-1, 47G-3B-2, 47G-3B-2A, 47G-4, 47G-4A, 47G-5, 47G-5A, 47H-1, 47J, 47J-2, 47J-2A, and 47K Helicopters
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 47, 47B, 47B3, 47D, 47D1, 47E, 47G, 47G-2, 47G-2A, 47G-2A-1, 47G-3, 47G-3B, 47G-3B-1, 47G-3B-2, 47G-3B-2A, 47G-4, 47G-4A, 47G-5, 47G-5A, 47H-1, 47J, 47J-2, 47J-2A, and 47K Helicopters
Model 47, 47B, 47B3, 47D, 47D1, 47E, 47G, 47G-2, 47G-2A, 47G-2A-1, 47G-3, 47G-3B, 47G-3B-1, 47G-3B-2, 47G-3B-2A, 47G-4, 47G-4A, 47G-5, 47G-5A, 47H-1, 47J, 47J-2, 47J-2A, and 47K helicopters with a main rotor blade, installed, with a part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N), listed as follows, certificated in any category:
| Main rotor blade, P/N | With a S/N of |
|---|---|
| 047-110-250-021 | A-303, A-304, A-312, or A-316. |
| 047-110-250-023 | A-298, A-301, or A-305. |
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) helicopters. This action requires visually inspecting each main rotor blade box beam clip (clip) for correct installation. This amendment is prompted by a report of a main rotor blade with an incorrectly installed clip. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent a main rotor blade spar crack as a result of an incorrectly installed clip, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent a main rotor blade spar crack as a result of an incorrectly installed main rotor blade box beam clip (clip), loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following:
(a) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), visually inspect the entire length of each upper and lower clip of each main rotor blade from the main rotor blade tip to the root by following Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 1. through 8., of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. 47-08-25, dated May 26, 2008 (ASB) and referring to the depictions in Figures 1 and 2 of the ASB and Figure 1 of this AD for correct installation.
Note: Figure 3 of the ASB depicts a clip installed incorrectly.
(b) Before further flight, if you find a main rotor blade with an incorrectly installed clip, replace that unairworthy main rotor blade with an airworthy main rotor blade that has a clip that is installed correctly.
(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 Certification Office, FAA, ATTN: Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5170, fax (817) 222-5783.
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.
