2022-06-20: Flight Control System

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2020-20-06, Amendment 39-21262 (85 FR 60356, September 25, 2020); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: AD 2022-06-20 Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited): Amendment 39-21986; Docket No. FAA-2021-1178; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00986-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 26, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2020-20-06, Amendment 39-21262 (85 FR 60356, September 25, 2020) (AD 2020-20-06). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 429 helicopters, certificated in any category, with a bellcrank assembly part number (P/N) 429-001-523-101, 429-001-523-103, 429-001-532-101, or 429-001-532-103 installed. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2700, Flight Control System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by new bellcrank assemblies, which have been upgraded with corrosion resistant steel bearings. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent corrosion of the bearings due to pooling at the bellcrank assembly from precipitation in the forward portion of the roof structure. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in restrictions in the collective, directional, or pitch control systems, and subsequent loss of helicopter control. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) For Model 429 helicopters serial number (S/N) 57001 through 57296 inclusive, within 12 months after the helicopter was manufactured or 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6 months: (i) Disconnect the forward ends of the collective control tube, longitudinal stability and control augmentation system (SCAS) actuator, and lateral SCAS actuator. Stow the collective control tube and each SCAS actuator to prevent binding. (ii) Move the cyclic stick fore, aft, and laterally, and the collective stick up and down from stop to stop to determine if there is any roughness. If there is any roughness in the flight control system, before further flight, remove each pivot bearing P/N MS27646-41, each arm assembly bearing P/N MS27643-4, and each sleeve P/N 120-13-4A from service and install bellcrank assemblies P/N 429-001-523-101FM and 429-001-532-101FM; or 429-001-523-107FM and 429-001-532-107FM; or 429-001-523-107 and 429-001-532-107. (iii) Inspect the collective arm assembly P/N 429-001-525-101, the lateral arm assembly P/N 429-001-527-101, and the longitudinal arm assembly P/N 429-001-530-101, by rotating each bearing and determining whether each bearing rotates freely. If there is any binding in any arm end bearing or on the longitudinal bellcrank assembly, before further flight, remove each pivot bearing P/N MS27646-41, each arm assembly bearing P/N MS27643-4, and each sleeve P/N 120-13-4A from service and install bellcrank assemblies P/N 429-001-523-101FM and 429-001-532-101FM; or 429-001-523-107FM and 429-001-532-107FM; or 429-001-523-107 and 429-001-532-107. (2) For Model 429 helicopters S/N 57001 through 57296 inclusive, unless already accomplished by following paragraphs (g)(1)(ii) or (iii) of this AD, within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, install bellcrank assemblies P/N 429-001-523-101FM and 429-001-532-101FM; or 429-001-523-107FM and 429-001-532-107FM; or 429-001-523-107 and 429-001-532-107. (3) As of the effective date of this AD, installing bellcrank assemblies P/N 429-001-523-101FM and 429-001-532-101FM; or 429-001-523-107FM and 429-001-532-107FM; or 429-001-523-107 and 429-001- 532-107, constitutes a terminating action for the recurring inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. (4) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any bellcrank assembly P/N 429-001-523-101, 429-001-523-103, 429-001-532-101, or 429-001-532-103 on any helicopter. (h) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits are prohibited. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (j) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-7330; email andrea.jimenez@faa.gov. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J 1R4, Canada; telephone 1-450-437-2862 or 1-800-363-8023; fax 1-450-433-0272; email productsupport@bellflight.com; or at https://www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support. You may view this referenced service information at the 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. (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD CF-2016-11R3, dated August 30, 2021. You may view the Transport Canada AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2021-1178. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference None. Issued on March 10, 2022. Ross Landes, Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-05664 Filed 3-21-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P