2013-11-05: Tail rotor hanger bearing

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): 2013-11-05 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell): Amendment 39-17465; Docket No. FAA-2013-0470; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-008-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Bell Model 214B helicopters, serial number (S/N) 28001 through 28070, Model 214B-1 helicopters, S/N 28001 through 28070, and Model 214ST helicopters, S/N 28101 through 28200, with a tail rotor hanger bearing (bearing), part number (P/N) 214- 040-606-005 or 214-040-606-101 installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a bearing with incorrect seal material, which could fail under extreme temperature or environmental conditions, resulting in loss of tail rotor control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective June 19, 2013. (d) Compliance You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time. (e) Required Actions (1) Within 10 hours time in service (TIS): (i) Inspect each bearing to determine whether the seal material is correct, as described in the Accomplishment Instructions, Part 1--Inspection, paragraphs 1.a. through 2. and Figure 1 of Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 214-13-74, Revision A, dated March 25, 2013, for Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters and ASB 214ST-13-90, Revision A, dated March 25, 2013, for Model 214ST helicopters. (ii) For each bearing with black seal material, before further flight and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 hoursTIS, inspect the bearing for leakage, slung grease, or damage. If there is any leakage, slung grease, or damage, before further flight, replace the bearing with an airworthy bearing with red/orange to brown color seal material. (2) Replacing a bearing with an airworthy bearing with the correct red/orange to brown color seal material terminates the inspection requirements of this AD. (3) Do not install bearing P/N 214-040-606-005 or 214-040-606- 101 with black seal material on any helicopter. (f) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits are prohibited. (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5762; email 7-AVS-ASW-170@faa.gov. (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 [[Page 33206]] certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC. (h) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6500: Tail Rotor Drive Bearing. (i) 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 Alert Service Bulletin No. 214-13-74, Revision A, dated March 25, 2013. (ii) Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 214ST-13-90, Revision A, dated March 25, 2013. (3) For Bell service information identified in this AD, contact 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/. (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 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.