# ~IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIA ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN

# ~~ REVISION NOTICE 

## Bell Helicopter DATE Sept 19, 2007

# ~**~ ~** **~** TEXTRON A Subsidiary ofTextron 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 ENTRY SHOULD BE MADE IN THE AI RCRAFT LOGBOOK UPON ACCOMPLISHMENT

# ~~ IF OWNERSHIP OF AIRCRAFT HAS CHANGED PLEASE FORWARD TO NEW OWNER

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# ~IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIA ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN

# ~~ Ball Helicopter**~** 

## .. .. . .. _**.~** No. 

### 427-07-18 A Subsidiary ofTextron 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

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IF OWNERSHIP OF AIRCRAFT HAS CHANGED PLEASE FORWARD TO NEW OWNER

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# ~**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~** .4September 11, 2007 Mr. Jack Denham Executive Director of Product Support Bell Helicopter Textron

Rotor Blades, Inc. (RBI) has received reports ofthree 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 ofBell Helicopters who comply with the instructions in this Bulletin will be eligible to return defective blades identified by serial number in the compliance section ofthis 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 BA12 8SJ United Kingdom Phone 44-1985-847040 Fax 44-1985-846356

### Part Number S/N 427-016-001-109 A-132 A-161 A-169 A-182