Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16587 · 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
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
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) having a part number and serial number, installed, as 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 | B | November 29, 2010 | 206A and 206B Series. |
| 206L-07-148 | B | November 29, 2010 | 206L, L-1, L-3, and L-4. |
| 222-07-106 | D | November 29, 2010 | 222 and 222B. |
| 222U-07-77 | D | November 29, 2010 | 222U. |
| 230-07-38 | D | November 29, 2010 | 230. |
| 407-07-81 | B | November 29, 2010 | 407. |
| 427-07-18 | B | November 29, 2010 | 427. |
| 430-07-41 | D | November 29, 2010 | 430. |
This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-26-51, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of the specified model helicopters by individual letters. This AD also supersedes existing AD 2009-08-03. This AD is prompted by another incident in which the tail rotor blade (blade) tip weight separated from a blade during flight causing vibration. This unsafe condition led to the determination that additional blades could be affected and should be added to the applicability. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of the blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent loss of a blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following:
(a) 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 attached to each ASB listed in the Applicability section of this AD.
(b) 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, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, 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.
