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2018-21-15: Standard Practices/Structures

FAA order 2018-21-15 is an airworthiness directive in force since November 27, 2018. The FAA's subject line: Standard Practices/Structures. It names Bell 429: about 175 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: other and general.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Aircraft
Makes
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited
Models
429
On this site
Bell 429 175 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
November 27, 2018
Published
October 23, 2018 (signed October 15, 2018)
Docket
FAA-2018-0254
Replaces
2017-13-03
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-13-03 for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. AD 2017-13-03 required adding an identification number to life-limited rod ends that do not have a serial number (S/N). Since we issued AD 2017- 13-03, an additional life-limited rod end was identified that is affected by the same unsafe condition. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2017-13-03 and revises the Applicability paragraph by adding that rod end. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (5,159 characters)
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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-13-03, Amendment 39-18933 (82 FR 28397, June 22, 2017), and adding the following new AD: 2018-21-15 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39- 19473; Docket No. FAA-2018-0254; Product Identifier 2017-SW-116-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Model 429 helicopters, serial number 57001 through 57260, with a pylon restraint spring assembly (spring assembly) forward rod end assembly (rod end) part number (P/N) 427- 010-210-105 or aft rod end P/N 427-010-210-109 installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a rod end remaining in service after reaching its life limit. This condition could result in failure of a rod end and subsequent loss of control of a helicopter. (c) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2017-13-03, Amendment 39-18933 (82 FR 28397, June 22, 2017). (d) Effective Date This AD becomes effective November 27, 2018. (e) 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. (f) Required Actions (1) Within 140 hours time-in-service, clean and identify each rod end with the spring assembly serial number in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3. through 8., of Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-15-19, dated February 26, 2015. (2) Do not install a forward rod end P/N 427-010-210-105 or an aft rod end P/N 427-010-210-109 on any helicopter unless it has been marked with a serial number in accordance with paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; 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 aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC. (h) Additional Information (1) Bell Helicopter Maintenance Manual BHT-429-MM-1, Chapter 4, Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, Revision 26, approved September 9, 2016, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the subject of this AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450) 433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD No. CF-2015-15R1, Revision 1, dated July 28, 2017. You may view the Transport Canada AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2018-0254. (i) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5101, Standard Practices/Structures. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation byreference (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. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on July 27, 2017. (i) Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-15-19, dated February 26, 2015. (ii) Reserved. (4) For Bell Helicopter service information identified in this AD, contact Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450) 433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. (5) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N- 321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (6) 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.

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2010-08-05SW-10-15R1 · Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 429 Helicopters with Certain Clam Shell Doors
2010-02-05SW-10-15 · Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Model 429 Helicopters with Clam Shell Doors

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2018-21-15.json · aircraft systems.