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2000-04-15 BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA: Amendment 39-11598. Docket No. 99-SW-77-AD.
Applicability: Model 222, serial number (S/N) 47006 through 47089; Model 222B, S/N 47131 through 47156; Model 222U, S/N 47501 through 47574; and Model 230, S/N 23001 through 23038, helicopters, with swashplate drive pin (drive pin), part number (P/N) 222-010-455-003, installed, certificated in any category.
NOTE 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent fatigue failure of a drive pin and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 150 hours TIS, inspect for damage or looseness and torque test any drive pin, P/N 222-010-455-003, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Alert Service Bulletins 230-99-16, 222-99-84, or 222U-99-55, all dated February 15, 1999, as applicable. Replace any unairworthy drive pin with an airworthy drive pin.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Regulations Group, RotorcraftDirectorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Regulations Group.
NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Regulations Group.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) The inspection and torque test shall be done in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Alert Service Bulletins 230-99-16, 222-99-84, or 222U-99-55, all dated February 15, 1999. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from BellHelicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec JON1LO, telephone (800) 463-3036, fax (514) 433-0272. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on March 14, 2000.
NOTE 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada (Canada) AD CF-99-19, dated June 9, 1999.
