FAA 

Aviation Safety

EMERGENCY 

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

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

DATE: December 8, 2010 

AD #: 2010-26-51 

 This superseding Emergency Airworthiness Directive (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 further 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 flights, causing significant vibration. 

 

Since issuing AD 2009-08-03, BHTC has revised the 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 received a fourth blade in which one tip weight was 

lost in flight. This prompted RBI to add additional blade serial numbers that could be affected. RBI 

asked BHTC to re-issue the affected ASBs calling for 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 

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of the unsafe condition described in the Transport Canada AD. We 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 blade 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 

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Group, 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 information 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 addressed 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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