96-18-05: Tailboom Inspection

96-18-05 BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON, A DIVISION OF TEXTRON CANADA LTD.: Amendment 39-9729. Docket No. 96-SW-13-AD. Supersedes priority letter AD 96-14- 10, issued July 3, 1996. Applicability: Model 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 helicopters, with tailboom, part number (P/N) 206-033-004-3, -11, -45, or -103 installed, certificated in any category. NOTE 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any helicopter from the applicability of this AD. Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent failure of the tailboom and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following: (a) Before further flight, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), using a 10-power or higher magnifying glass, inspect the tailboom for cracks or corrosion. Perform this inspection in accordance with the inspection procedures stated in the Accomplishment Instructions, Part II or Part III, as applicable, of Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Alert Service Bulletin 206L-87-47, Revision C, dated October 23, 1989. If a crack or corrosion is detected that is beyond the limits prescribed by the applicable maintenance manual, remove the tailboom and replace it with an airworthy tailboom. (b) Replacement of the tailboom with tailboom, P/N 206-033-004-143 or -177, constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD. (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office. NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office. (d) Special flight permits will not be issued. (e) The inspections and replacement shall be done in accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Alert Service Bulletin 206L-87-47, RevisionC, dated October 23, 1989. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, A Division of Textron Canada Ltd., 12,800 rue de L'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec, Canada, JON 1LO. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 16, 1996.