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ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN ~~ REVISION NOTICE 

Bell Helicopter DATE Sept 19, 2007 

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TEXTRON 

A Subsidiary of Textron Inc. 

TO: All Owners/Operators of Bell 427 Helicopters 

SUBJECT: REVISION "A" TO ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN 427-07-18: 

TAIL ROTOR BLADE ASSEMBLY, INSPECTION OF 

Revision "A" to this bulletin adds a statement for tail rotor blades that have been 

returned to an authorized Bell Helicopter rotor blade repair station for inspection in 

accordance with this ASB. These tail rotor blades will be permanently identified with 

the letter "L" immediately following the part number on the tail rotor blade identification 

plate. 

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~ ~ AN APPROPRIATE 

IF OWNERSHIP 

ENTRY 

OF 

SHOULD 

AIRCRAFT 

BE MADE 

HAS CHANGED 

IN THE AI R

PLEASE 

CRAFT 

FORWARD 

LOGBOOK UPON 

TO NEW 

ACCOMPLISHMENT 

OWNER 

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~IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIA 

ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN ~~ Ball Helicopter ~ .. .. . .. _ .~ No. 427-07-18 

A Subsidiary of Textron Inc. DATE SEP 11, 2007 

~ DATE SEP 19, 2007 

REV A 

MODEL AFFECTED: 

SUBJECT: 

HELICOPTERS AFFECTED: 

COMPLIANCE: 

DESCRIPTION: 

PAGE 

427 

TAIL ROTOR BLADE ASSEMBLY, INSPECTION 

OF 

All Model 427 helicopters 

Prior to next flight. 

The purpose of this bulletin is to achieve complete distribution of the attached RBI 

letter to Bell Helicopter's current operator list. 

Affected tail rotor blades that have been inspected/repaired in accordance with this 

ASB shall have letter "L" vibro-etched immediately following the part number on the 

tail rotor blade ID tag and returned to service: 

APPROVAL: 

Not Required . 

IF OWNERSHIP OF AIRCRAFT HAS CHANGED PLEASE FORWARD TO NEW OWNER 

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September 11, 2007 

Mr. Jack Denham 

Executive Director of Product Support 

Bell Helicopter Textron 

Rotor Blades, Inc. (RBI) has received reports of three incidents in which weights were slung from tail 

rotor blades during flight significant causing vibration. The failures reported occurred ranging from 

400 flight hours since repair to as short as 12 minutes. We have determined that this may affect most 

Bell models. To ensure safety and to expedite re-inspection required, we advise and ask you 

distribute to fleet on a most urgent basis. 

Investigation indicates that tip weight screws may be missing the adhesive applied during the weight 

and balance process on these blades. The blades in question were all processed by one former RBI 

technician . 

RBI has initiated customer contact and inspection of blades to reduce customer impact. Additionally, 

we are working with our local FAA representative to ensure regulations are met. I ask Bell support 

and assistance to ensure DOT and OEM requirements are met for release. 

RBI is capable of carrying out inspection to existing requirements. Balance weight screws must be 

accessed and verified for correct installation. This must be carried out by a Bell approved Rotor Blade 

Repair Facility. 

BEFORE THE NEXT FLIGHT, ALL OPERATORS SHOULD INSPECT THEIR TAIL ROTOR BLADES USING 

THE ATTACHED LIST TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEIR BLADES ARE AFFECTED. ALL AFFECTED 

BLADES SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM SERVICE IMMEDIATELY AND RETURNED TO AN RBI FACILITY 

FOR EXAMINATION AND REPAIR. 

The list attached includes all blades RBI has determined re-inspection is required on. 

Troy Penny 

Director of Operations 

Rotor Blades Inc. 
Warranty Statement: 

Owners I Operators of Bell Helicopters who comply with the instructions in this Bulletin 

will be eligible to return defective blades identified by serial number in the compliance 

section of this bulletin to your nearest RBI facility for inspection and repair at no cost. In 

order to process your request please contact your local RBI facility to make arrangements 

for the return ofthe blade or blade's using RBI's FedEx account #2546-92336. 

Rotor Blades Inc. 

580 St Etienne Road 

Broussard, LA 70518 

Phone 337-839-2119 

Fax 337-839-2122 

RBI Hawker Limited 

LIU FZS 1 BD06/07, JAFZ (South) 

P.O. Box 16784 

Dubai, UAE 

Phone 971-4-886-0144 

Fax 971-4-886-0145 

Rotor Blades Limited 

5B Crusader Park 

Bath Road 

Warmintser 

Wiltshire BA 12 8SJ 

United Kingdom 

Phone 44-1985-84 7040 

Fax 44-1985-846356 
Part Number S/N 

427-016-001-109 A-132 

A-161 

A-169 

A-182