### FAA Aviation Safety

DATE: August 6, 2015 AD#: 2015-16-51 

## EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/



### This emergency airworthiness directive (EAD) 2015-16-51 is being sent to owners and operators ofBell HelicopterTextron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. Background 

### This EAD was prompted by several reports of This condition, ifnot corrected, could result in helicopter. Transport 16, dated July 2, 9 helicopters. Transport Canada advises link spherical bearings have experienced early ons, bearings were found worn beyond limits during pre-flight axial play that was easily detectable. In one case, the spherical rotor pitch link, resulting in damage to the tail rotor blade pitch horn another case, the spherical bearing had been inspected and found acceptable during inspection; about "1 hour airtime" later, it was found worn beyond limits during a pre-flight inspection. FAA'sDetermination 

### This helicopterhas been approved by the aviation authority ofCanada and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with Canada, Transport Canada, its technical representative, has notified us ofthe unsafe condition described in its EAD. We are issuing this EAD 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 ofthe same type design. Related ServiceInformation 

### Bell has issued Alert Service Bulletin 429-15-16, dated February 18, 2015 (ASB). The ASB applies to Bell Model429 helicopters, 

### SIN 57001 and subsequent, which have accumulated more than 50 hours. The ASB specifiesthe following actions:

• Inspecting both inboard and outboard tail rotor pitch link assemblies for axial and radial play;
• Ifabnormal wear orbearing play is detected, removing the affected tail rotor pitch link and performing a dimensional check ofboth axial and radial play; and

• Replacing any tail rotor pitch link assembly 429-012-112-10I or -103 orpitch link bearing 429-312-107-103 that exceeds the allowable limits.EAD Requirements This EAD requires, before further flight, and thereafter at intervals notto exceed 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspecting each inboard and outboardtail rotorpitch link assembly for axial or radial bearing play. Ifthere is axial orradial bearing play, removing the tail rotor pitch link and performing a dimensional inspection for wear are required. Ifthere is wearthat exceedsthe allowable limits, replacingthe tail rotor pitch link assembly is required. Differences between this EAD and the Transport Canada EAD The Transport Canada EAD requires the inspection ofthe inboard and pitch link assembly for wear or axial orradial bearingplay to be done EAD requires the inspection before further flight. Interim Action
consider further ru tail rotor TIS, andthis

the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation authority oftheFAA Administrator. "Subtitle VII, more detail the scope ofthe Agency's authority. We are issuing this rulemaking underthe authority described in "Subtitle VII, PartA, Subpart III, Section 4470I, General requirements." Underthat section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight ofcivil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope ofthat authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in thisrulel!laking action. Adoption ofthe EmergencyAirworthinessDirective (EAD) We are issuingthis EAD under 49 U.S.C. Sections 106(g), 40113, and 44701 accordingto the authority delegated to me by the Administrator. 2015-16-51 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-23-AD. (a) Applicability This EAD appliesto Model 429 helicopters thathave 50 ormore hours time-in-service (TIS), with a pitch link assembly part number429-012-112-101 or -103 installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This EAD definesthe unsafe condition as a wornpitch link. This condition, ifnot detected and corrected, could result in pitch link failure and subsequent loss ofcontrol ofthe helicopter. (c) EffectiveDate This EAD is effective upon receipt.
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### (d) Compliance You are responsible for performing each action required by this EAD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished priorto that time. 

### (e) Required Actions Before further flight and thereafter at intervals notto exceed 50 hours TIS, inspect each inboard and outboard tail rotor pitch link assembly for axial or radial bearing play. Ifthere is axial or radial bearing play, remove the tail rotor pitch link and perform a dimensional inspection for wear. If there is wearthat exceeds the allowable limits, replace the tail rotor pitch link assembly. (f) 

### AlternativeMethods ofCompliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, Send yourproposal to: David Hatfield, Aviation Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 1 01 0I Hillwood 222-5I10; email9-ASW-FTW

(g) orunder I4 CFR lacking a principal orcertificate holding district office, anAMOC.

contact: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Directorate, FAA, I0I01Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (8I7) 222-5II0; email david.hatfield@faa.gov. (2) Bell HelicopterAlert Service Bulletin 429-15-16, dated February 18, 2015, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the subject ofthis EAD. For a copy oftheASB, contact: Bell HelicopterTextron Canada Limited, I2,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7JlR4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450) 433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. (3) The subject ofthis EAD is addressed in Transport CanadaAD No. CF-20I5-I6, dated July 2, 2015. 

### (h) Subject AirTransport Association ofAmerica (ATA) Tracking Code: 6720 Tail Rotor Control System. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 6, 20I5.

Larry M. Kelly, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
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