Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17579 · Rotorcraft flight controls and 6710 main rotor control
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Helicopters
This AD applies to Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 helicopters as follows, certificated in any category.
(1) Model 206A, Model 206B helicopters converted from Model 206A, and Model 206B with Bellcrank Assembly, part-number (P/N) 206-001-526-001 or 206-001-538-009; Idler Link Assembly, P/N 206-010-336-109; or Link Assembly, P/N 206-031-589-001, installed.
(2) Model 206L, Model 206L-1, Model 206L-3, and Model 206L-4 with Idler Assembly, P/N 206-001-549-101; Bellcrank Assembly, P/N 206-001-552-001; or Link Assembly, P/N 206-010-336-109, installed.
(3) Model 222 and Model 222B with
(i) Cyclic Link Assembly, P/N 222-010-419-110; or
(ii) Bellcrank Assembly Directional Controls, P/N 222-001-734-001 or 222-001-736-005, installed.
(4) Model 222U with
(i) Cyclic Link Assembly, P/N 222-010-419-110; or
(ii) Bellcrank Assembly Directional Controls, P/N 222-001-734-001 or 222-001-736-005, installed.
(5) Model 230 with
(i) Fitting Assembly Engine Bipod Mount, P/N 230-060-113-101, 230-060-113-102, 230-060-114-101, or 230-060-114-102; Cyclic Link Assembly P/N 222-010-419-110; or
(ii) Bellcrank Assembly Directional Controls, P/N 222-001-734-001, or 222-001-736-005, installed.
(6) Model 407 with
(i) Bearing and Liner Assembly, P/N 406-010-417-101; Cyclic Mixer Follower Assembly, P/N 407-001-325-101; Bellcrank Assembly, P/N 407-001-524-105, 407-001-524-109, 407-001-526-105, 407-001-526-109, 407-001-528-101, or 407-001-528-105; or
(ii) Beam Assembly, P/N 407-001-723-101, installed.
(7) Model 427 with Swashplate Lateral Link Assembly (upper and lower bearing), P/N 427-001-021-101; Swashplate Longitudinal Link Assembly (upper and lower bearing), P/N 427-001-022-101; Transmission Mounted Longitudinal Bellcrank Assembly (pivot bearing), P/N 427-001-521-105/-109; Transmission Mounted Lateral Bellcrank Assembly (pivot bearing), P/N 427-001-520-109/-113; or Bearing and Liner (lower drive link bearing), P/N 406-010-417-109, installed.
(8) Model 427 with Tail Rotor Actuator Output Idler, P/N 427-001-723-101, installed.
(9) Model 430 with
(i) Fitting Assembly Engine Bipod Mount, P/N 230-060-113-101, 230-060-113-102, 230-060-114-101, or 230-060-114-102; Bearing Assembly M/R Rotating Controls, P/N 430-010-449-101; Rod End Assembly Lift link, P/N 430-010-204-101 or 430-010-204-103, or
(ii) Bellcrank Assembly Directional Controls, P/N 222-001-734-001, or 222-001-736-005, installed.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each bearing to determine if it has been properly staked and replacing the bearing or assembly if it has not been properly staked. This AD was prompted by bearings not being properly staked and migrating out of their proper position, which may limit the functionality of the affected part. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent failure of a bearing and the assembly in which it is installed and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
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) Perform each action required by this AD within the compliance time for each part listed in the applicability paragraph of this AD as follows: (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(6)(i), (a)(7), and (a)(8), within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 30 days, whichever occurs first; (a)(3)(i), (a)(4)(i), (a)(5)(i), and (a)(9)(i), within 5 hours TIS or 30 days, whichever occurs first; (a)(3)(ii), (a)(4)(ii), (a)(5)(ii), and (a)(9)(ii) within 150 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first; and (a)(6)(ii) within 300 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first.
(2) Using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass or using a boroscope, inspect each bearing and determine if the bearing has been properly staked for each part that contains a part serial number with a prefix of either “TI” or “TIFS.”
(i) If a part does not contain a serial number, inspect the bearing of that part even if that part contains a supplier marking.
(ii) If you cannot access the bearing while the part is installed on the helicopter to make a determination as to whether the bearing in the part is properly staked, remove the part and inspect the bearing using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass or using a boroscope.
(iii) If you find a part that is not properly staked, replace the bearing or the assembly with an airworthy bearing or assembly before further flight.
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.
