AD 2013-01-04

You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time.

(1) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS):

(i) For each crosstube, create a component history card or equivalent record. Begin to count and record the number of accumulated landings for each crosstube. For the purposes of this AD, a landing would be counted anytime the helicopter lifts off into the air and then lands again with any further reduction of the collective after the landing gear touches the ground.

(ii) Install CAUTION decals, P/N 212-070-600-143, on the pilot and co-pilot sides of each helicopter as depicted in Figure 3 of Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 412-09-135, dated August 25, 2009 (ASB), and by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part III—Towing, paragraph 1., of the ASB.

(2) Within 6 months and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months or 2,500 landings, whichever occurs first, determine the horizontal deflection of each crosstube from the centerline of the helicopter (BL 0.0) to the outside edge of each skid tube. Before further flight, replace any crosstube that exceeds any maximum allowable deflection limit contained in the maintenance manual.

(3) Within 6 months and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months or 2,500 landings, whichever occurs first:

(i) Remove and disassemble the landing gear assembly to prepare each crosstube for a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part I, paragraphs 1. through 9., of the ASB.

Note 1 to paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this AD: Abrasion strip, P/N 206-050-301-111; lower center support, P/N 412-050-007-101, with the incorporated Larson L101 abrasion strip; and lower center support, P/N 604-026-003, if installed on any crosstube, P/N 412-050-045-105, or reworked crosstubes, P/N 412-050-011-101, -103, -105, or -107, are only removed if required by following the instructions in the ASB (see items 2, 5, and 6 in Figure 1 of the ASB).

(ii) Clean and prepare the crosstube for the FPI by removing the sealant and paint in the area depicted in Figure 2 of the ASB by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part I, “Cleaning and Preparation,” paragraphs 1. through 5., of the ASB.

(iii) Perform an FPI of each crosstube and upper center support, P/N 412-050-006-101, for a crack, any corrosion, a nick, scratch, dent, or any other damage by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part I, “Inspection,” paragraphs 1. through 3. of the ASB. Use Table 2 in the ASB to determine the appropriate Inspection Criteria Table to use in the maintenance manual, which list the maximum repair damage limits for each crosstube P/N applicable to this AD.

(iv) Repair the crosstube or upper center support if there is any corrosion, a nick, scratch, dent, or any other damage that is within the maximum repair damage limits, before further flight, or replace the crosstube with an airworthy crosstube.

Note 2 to paragraph (e)(3)(iv) of this AD: The repair procedures are specified in the Component Repair and Overhaul Manual.

(v) If there is a crack or other damage beyond any of the maximum repair damage limits, before further flight, replace the crosstube with an airworthy crosstube.

(4) Before further flight, after completing paragraph (e)(3) of this AD, rework each crosstube P/N 412-050-011-101, -103, -105, or -107 by applying the bonding procedures and abrasion strips on the under side of the crosstubes at BL 0.0 and BL 14 by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part I, “Rework of Crosstubes,” paragraphs 1. through 10. of the ASB. Record on the component history card or equivalent record an “FM” to the end of the part number sequence of each crosstube that has been reworked (for example, 412-050-011-107FM). Omit the Larson L101 abrasion strip at BL 0.0 on each crosstube when installing lower center support, P/N 604-026-003 (see item 6 in Figure 1 of the ASB).