Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21711 · Tail rotor control system
Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters, certificated in any category, serial numbers 57001 and subsequent.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. This AD was prompted by three reports of unexpected forces or uncommanded inputs to the directional (yaw) control system. This AD requires revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual for your helicopter as follows:
(i) In Section 2, Normal Procedures, under 2-4. INTERIOR AND PRESTART CHECK, add the following as item 25: “25. Depress the cyclic force TRIM REL button and collective FORCE REL button (4-axis only) to center actuators and extinguish any active out of detent indications.”
(ii) In Section 2, Normal Procedures, under 2-5. ENGINE START and under 2-8. TAKEOFF, add the following above item 1: “CAUTION: WHEN MANIPULATING FLIGHT CONTROLS WITH FORCE TRIM SELECTED ON, DO NOT RELEASE AFFECTED FLIGHT CONTROL UNTIL THE OUT OF DETENT INDICATION EXTINGUISHES. THE FLIGHT CONTROLS MAY BE RESET BY DEPRESSING THE CYCLIC FORCE TRIM REL BUTTON AND COLLECTIVE FORCE REL BUTTON (4-AXIS ONLY) UNTIL THE OUT OF DETENT INDICATION EXTINGUISHES.”
(iii) In Section 3, Emergency and Malfunction Procedures, under 3-9. AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM, add the information in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of this AD as item 3-9-D:
(iv) In Section 4, Performance, under 4-2. POWER ASSURANCE CHECK, add the following above the instructions for performing a power assurance check: “CAUTION: WHEN MANIPULATING FLIGHT CONTROLS WITH FORCE TRIM SELECTED ON, DO NOT RELEASE AFFECTED FLIGHT CONTROL UNTIL THE OUT OF DETENT INDICATION EXTINGUISHES. THE FLIGHT CONTROLS MAY BE RESET BY DEPRESSING THE CYCLIC FORCE TRIM REL BUTTON AND COLLECTIVE FORCE REL BUTTON (4-AXIS ONLY) UNTIL THE OUT OF DETENT INDICATION EXTINGUISHES.”
(2) Using a document with information identical to the information in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD is acceptable for compliance with the actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
(3) The actions required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with § 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and § 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by § 91.417, § 121.380, or § 135.439.
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.
