FAA Aviation Safety 

## EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/

DATE: December 8, 2010
AD #: 2010-26-51

This superseding Emergency Airworthiness Dir ective (AD) is prompted by another incident in which the tail rotor blade (blade) tip weight separated from a blade during flight causing vibration.
This unsafe condition led to the determination that additional blades could be affected and should be added to the applicability. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of the blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

On March 26, 2009, the FAA issued AD 2009-08-03, Amendment 39-15876 (74 FR 16112, April 9, 2009). AD 2009-08-03 requires, before furthe r flight, removing and replacing each affected blade with an airworthy blade. That action was prompted by three reports of blade tip weights being slung from the blades during fli ghts, causing significant vibration.

Since issuing AD 2009-08-03, BHTC has revised th e Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs) based on revisions to the Rotor Blades Inc. (RBI) documents that are attached to the ASBs. All of the ASBs contain a letter from RBI indicating that RBI has r eceived a fourth blade in which one tip weight was lost in flight. This prompted RBI to add additiona l blade serial numbers that could be affected. RBI asked BHTC to re-issue the affected ASBs calling fo r immediate inspection of the affected blades.

We have reviewed the following revised BHTC ASBs, all dated November 29, 2010. Each
ASB contains an RBI letter that adds blade serial numbers to the RBI list.

 No. 206-07-116, Revision B, for Model 206A/B series helicopters;

 No. 206L-07-148, Revision B, for Model 206L series helicopters;

 No. 222-07-106, Revision D, for Model 222 and 222B helicopters;

 No. 222U-07-77, Revision D, for Model 222U helicopters;

 No. 230-07-38, Revision D, for Model 230 helicopters;

 No. 407-07-81, Revision B, for Model 407 helicopters;

 No.427-07-18, Revision B, for Model 427 helicopters;

 No. 430-07-41, Revision D, for Model 430 helicopters.

Transport Canada, the airworthiness authority for Canada, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on these helicopter models. Transport Canada advises of three reports of blade weights departing from the blades during flight due to missing weight screws and that the failure can occur at any time leading to loss of control of the helicopter. Transport Canada advises since issuing its original AD, the blade manufacturer has determined that a batch of additional blades could be affected. Transport Canada classified the ASBs as mandatory and issued revised AD No. CF-2007-21R1, dated November 30, 2010, to extend the applicability of the AD to cover the affected blades to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.

These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of Canada and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement, Transport Canada has notified us

1of the unsafe condition described in the Transport Canada AD. W e are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by Transport Canada and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type designs.

Since the unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type designs, this AD requires, before further flight , unless already accomplished, replacing any affected blade with an airworthy blade. An airworthy blad e is one that has a part number and a serial number that is not listed in the RBI document that is attached to each ASB listed in the Applicability section
of this AD.

This AD differs from the Transport Canada AD in that this AD only applies to those blades listed in the RBI document attached to the ASBs. The Transport Canada AD allows use of those ASBs or later revisions approved by the Chief, Continuing Airworthiness, Transport Canada.

This rule is issued under 49 U.S.C. Section 44701 pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, and is effective immediately upon receipt of this emergency AD.

2010-26-51 BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA LIMITED: Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-108-AD. Supersedes AD 2009-08-03, Amendment 39-15876, Docket No. FAA 2009- 0301, Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-69-AD.

Applicability: Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 helicopters, with a tail rotor blade (blade) having a part number and serial number, installed, as listed in the Rotor Blades Inc. (RBI) document attached to the following Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs), certificated in any category:

ASB No. Revision Date Helicopter Model

206-07-116 B November 29, 2010 206A and 206B Series
206L-07-148 B November 29, 2010 206L, L-1, L-3, and L-4
222-07-106 D November 29, 2010 222 and 222B
222U-07-77 D November 29, 2010 222U
230-07-38 D November 29, 2010 230
407-07-81 B November 29, 2010 407
427-07-18 B November 29, 2010 427
430-07-41 D November 29, 2010 430

Compliance: Before further flight, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent loss of a blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following:

(a) Replace any affected blade with an airworthy blade. An airworthy blade is one that has a part number and a serial number that is not listed in the RBI document attached to each ASB listed in the Applicability section of this AD.

(b) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, ATTN: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy

2Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222- 5961, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.

(c) Special flight permits will not be issued.

(d) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 6410: Tail Rotor Blades.

(e) Copies of the applicable service inform ation may be obtained from 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/

.

(f) Emergency AD 2010-26-51, issued December 8, 2010, becomes effective upon receipt.

Note: The subject of this AD is addresse d in Transport Canada (Canada) AD CF-2007-21R1, dated November 30, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 8, 2010.

Lance T. Gant, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.

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