2012-22-11: Main Rotor

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): 2012-22-11 Bell Helicopter Textron: Amendment 39-17247; Docket No. FAA-2012-0530; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-075-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Model 412 and 412EP helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 33001 through 33213, 34001 through 34036, and 36001 and higher; and Model 412CF helicopters, S/N 46400 and higher; with a collective lever part number (P/N) 412-010-408-101 installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a cracked collective lever, which could result infailure of the collective lever and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective December 20, 2012. (d) Compliance 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. (e) Required Actions Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 30 days, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS: (1) Using cleaning compound (C-318) or equivalent, thoroughly clean the collective lever. (2) Using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass, inspect the collective lever in the areas shown in Figure 1 of Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 412-11-148, Revision A, dated December 12, 2011 or Bell Helicopter Textron ASB 412CF-11-47, Revision A, dated December 12, 2011, as appropriate for your model helicopter. (3) If there is a crack in the paint, remove the collective lever from the swashplate assembly. (i) Remove paint and primer from the area around the crack. (ii) Fluorescent penetrant inspect the area of the crack. (4) If there is a crack in the collective lever, before further flight, replace the collective lever with an airworthy collective lever. (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Martin Crane, Aerospace Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5170, email [email protected]. (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate holding district office before operating any aircraftcomplying with this AD through an AMOC. (g) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6230, Main Rotor. (h) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 412-11- 148, Revision A, dated December 12, 2011. (ii) Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 412CF- 11-47, Revision A, dated December 12, 2011. (3) For Bell Helicopter service information identified in this AD, contact Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas 76101, telephone (817) 280-3391, fax (817) 280-6466, or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For [[Page 68057]] information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.