Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22227 · Nose/tail landing gear structure/axle
Bell Textron Inc., Erickson 214 Holdings, LLC, Leonardo S.p.a., and Various Restricted Category Helicopters
This AD applies to the helicopters identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD with a Dart Aerospace Ltd. high gear forward crosstube part number (P/N) D212- 664-101 or P/N D212-664-101B installed under Supplemental Type Certificate No. SR01298NY:
(1) Bell Textron Inc., Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters, certificated in any category;
(2) Erickson 214 Holdings, LLC, Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters, certificated in any category;
(3) Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB412 and AB412 EP helicopters, certificated in any category; and
(4) Various restricted category helicopters:
(i) Model HH-1K helicopters; current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to, Rotorcraft Development Corporation;
(ii) Model TH-1F helicopters; current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to, Robinson Air Crane Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; and Tamarack Helicopters, Inc.;
(iii) Model TH-1L helicopters; current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to, Bell Textron Inc.; Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc.; and Rotorcraft Development Corporation;
(iv) Model UH-1A helicopters; current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to, Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.;
(v) Model UH-1B helicopters; current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to, International Helicopters, Inc.; Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc.; Red Tail Flying Services, LLC; Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc.; and WSH, LLC (type certificate previously held by San Joaquin Helicopters);
Note 1 to paragraph (c)(4)(v): Helicopters with an SW204 or SW204HP designation are Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc., Model UH-1B helicopters.
(vi) Model UH-1E helicopters; current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to, Bell Textron Inc.; Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; Smith Helicopters; and West Coast Fabrications;
(vii) Model UH-1F helicopters; current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to, AST, Inc.; California Department of Forestry; Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; and Tamarack Helicopters, Inc.;
(viii) Model UH-1H helicopters; current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to, Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc.; Global Helicopter Technology, Inc.; Hagglund Helicopters, LLC; JJASPP Engineering Services LLC; Northwest Rotorcraft, LLC; Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc.; Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc.; and Tamarack Helicopters, Inc.;
Note 2 to paragraph (c)(4)(viii): Helicopters with an SW205 designation are Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc., Model UH-1H helicopters.
(ix) Model UH-1L helicopters; current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to, Bell Textron Inc.; Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc.; and Rotorcraft Development Corporation; and
(x) Model UH-1P helicopters; current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to, Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; and Rotorcraft Development Corporation.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Inc., Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters; certain Erickson 214 Holdings, LLC, Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters; certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB412 and AB412 EP helicopters; and certain various restricted category helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of two in-service failures of forward crosstubes due to fatigue damage and the issuance of newly established life limits. This AD requires determining the total number of landings on certain part-numbered forward crosstubes and incorporating requirements (airworthiness limitations) into existing maintenance records. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions in paragraph (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
(i) Determine the total number of landings on the forward crosstube. For the purposes of this AD, a landing is counted anytime a helicopter contacts the ground regardless of the duration of the landing and regardless of whether the engine is shutdown. If the total number of landings cannot be determined, calculate the total number of landings by multiplying the total hours time-in-service on the forward crosstube by 10.
(ii) For a forward crosstube that has accumulated 20,000 or more total landings or if the total number of landings of a forward crosstube cannot be calculated as required in paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this AD, before further flight, remove the forward crosstube from service.
(2) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, incorporate into maintenance records required by 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2) or 135.439(a)(2), as applicable for your helicopter, the requirements (airworthiness limitations) specified in Chapter 4—Airworthiness Limitations (04-00-00), approved March 23, 2022, of Dart Aerospace Ltd., Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, ICA-D212-664, Crosstube Installation, Revision 12, dated September 30, 2021.
After the actions required by this paragraph (g)(2) of this AD have been done, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits, may be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
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.
Aircraft
Appliances and equipment
