2009-12-01: Main rotor blade box beam clip (clip)

2009-12-01 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.: Amendment 39-15924. Docket No. FAA-2009-15924; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-44-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model 47, 47B, 47B3, 47D, 47D1, 47E, 47G, 47G-2, 47G-2A, 47G-2A-1, 47G-3, 47G-3B, 47G-3B-1, 47G-3B-2, 47G-3B-2A, 47G- 4, 47G-4A, 47G-5, 47G-5A, 47H-1, 47J, 47J-2, 47J-2A, and 47K helicopters with a main rotor blade, installed, with a part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N), listed as follows, certificated in any category: \n\n\nMain rotor blade, P/N\nWith a S/N of\n047-110-250-021\nA-303, A-304, A-312, or A-316\n047-110-250-023\nA-298, A-301, or A-305\n\n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless done previously. \n\tTo prevent a main rotor blade spar crack as a result of an incorrectly installed main rotor blade box beam clip (clip), loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following: \n\t(a) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), visually inspect the entire length of each upper and lower clip of each main rotor blade from the main rotor blade tip to the root by following Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 1. through 8., of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. 47-08-25, dated May 26, 2008 (ASB) and referring to the depictions in Figures 1 and 2 of the ASB and Figure 1 of this AD for correct installation. \n\n\tNote: Figure 3 of the ASB depicts a clip installed incorrectly. \n\n\n\n\n\t(b) Before further flight, if you find a main rotor blade with an incorrectly installed clip, replace that unairworthy main rotor blade with an airworthy main rotor blade that has a clip that is installed correctly. \n\t(c) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, ATTN: Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5170, fax (817) 222-5783.(d) Special flight permits may be issued under 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the requirements of this AD can be done provided the onetime ferry flight does not exceed 5 hours TIS. \n\t(e) The visual inspection shall be done by following the specified portions of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Alert Service Bulletin No. 47-08-25, dated May 26, 2008. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101, telephone (817) 280-3391, fax (817) 280-6466, or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. 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 National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http:// www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ ibr_locations.html. \n\t(f) This amendment becomes effective on June 29, 2009.