ASB 430-13-51 

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ECCN EAR99 

 ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN 430-13-51 

PSL7000000051 

3 September 2013 

MODEL AFFECTED: 430 

SUBJECT: P/N 430-001-007-101, TAIL ROTOR CONTROL 

TUBE ASSEMBLY MODIFICATION. 

HELICOPTERS AFFECTED: Serial numbers 49001 through 49121. 

 Serial numbers 49122 and subsequent were 

equipped with control tube assembly P/N 430-001-

007-105 prior to delivery and are not affected by this 

bulletin. 

 

 Helicopters equipped with control tube assembly P/N 

430-001-007-105 per Technical Bulletin 430-04-35 

are not affected by this bulletin. 

 

COMPLIANCE: As soon as practical but no later than next 50 hour 

inspection or 31 October 2013 whichever occurs 

first. 

DESCRIPTION: 

Bell Helicopter has received 2 reports of P/N 430-001-007-101 control tube assembly 

bonded clevis failure. Investigation revealed that the clevis failed due to fatigue 

caused by oscillation of the control tube assembly. 

This Alert Service Bulletin introduces a one-time inspection of control tube assembly 

P/N 430-001-007-101 to verify if chaffing damage exists on the tube. In addition, 

procedure is provided to apply some lead tape to the control tube. This modification 

will reduce the amplitude of radial vibration and prevent contact of the tube with 

adjoining parts and structure. 
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Previously, Technical Bulletin 430-04-35 was issued to replace the P/N 430-001-007-

101 with a new -105 control tube assembly. As soon as sufficient parts become 

available, a revision to this bulletin will require mandatory removal from service of all 

P/N 430-001-007-101 control tubes. 

Applicability of this bulletin to any P/N 430-001-007-101 spare part shall be 

determined prior to its installation on an affected helicopter. 

APPROVAL: 

The engineering design aspects of this bulletin are Transport Canada Civil Aviation 

(TCCA) approved. 

CONTACT INFO: 

For any questions regarding this bulletin, please contact: 

Bell Helicopter Product Support Engineering - Intermediate Helicopters 

Tel: 450-437-2077 / 1-800-463-3036 / pseinter@bh.com 

MANPOWER: 

Approximately 2.0 man-hours are required to complete this bulletin. This estimate is 

based on hands-on time, and may vary with personnel and facilities available. 

WARRANTY: 

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

Bulletin will be eligible to receive prorated/non prorated replacement parts as 

applicable, listed in the bulletin. Bell Helicopter has recently introduced enhancements 

to the VISTA Portal which allocates specific warranty entitlement for an aircraft by 

serial number. The Product Service Letter (PSL) number which will be listed below the 

bulletin number on the introduction page is going to be a required field when 

submitting a claim for replacement parts, labor, and/or freight. If you receive an ASB or 

TB that does not have a PSL number, then there is no warranty entitlement for that 

bulletin. 

Labor entitlement: Yes/No $0.00 

To receive parts, labor, and/or freight under warranty: 

 Comply with the instructions contained in this Bulletin no later 

than the applicable date in the “compliance section”. 
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ECCN EAR99 

 If there is a PSL number identified in the bulletin you will be 

required to enter this PSL number which will validate warranty 

entitlement for the selected aircraft. Please ensure that you use 

the Bulletin tab on the warranty section in VISTA to file your 

claim. 

NOTE: Customers who fail to comply with the instructions in this Bulletin before the 

31 October 2013 are not eligible for the special warranty listed above. 

MATERIAL: 

Required Material: 

The following material is required for the accomplishment of this bulletin and may be 

obtained through your Bell Helicopter Textron Supply Center. 

Part Number Nomenclature Qty 

 

2000-06610-00 Tape 2 inch wide 1 Roll 

Consumable Material: 

The following material is required to accomplish this bulletin, but may not require 

ordering, depending on the operator’s consumable material stock levels. This material 

may be obtained through your Bell Helicopter Textron Supply Center.

Part Number Nomenclature Qty Reference * 

 

2110-06257-00 Methyl Ethyl Ketone (Note 1) A/R C-309 

2100-00061-00 Acetone A/R C-316 

Note 1: As an alternate to Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Acetone C-316 may be used. 

* C-XXX numbers refer to the consumables list in BHT-ALL-SPM Standard Practices Manual 

SPECIAL TOOLS: 

None required. 

WEIGHT AND BALANCE: 

Negligible. 

ELECTRICAL LOAD DATA: 

Not affected. 
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REFERENCES: 

BHT-430-MM Maintenance Manual 

BHT-430-CR&O Component Repair and Overhaul Manual 

Technical Bulletin 430-04-35, Rev B dated March 20, 2009 

PUBLICATIONS AFFECTED: 

None affected. 

ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Prepare helicopter for maintenance. 

2. Remove panels and covers as required to gain access to tail rotor control tube P/N 

430-001-007-101. Refer to BHT-430-MM. 

3. Disconnect control tube assembly P/N 430-001-007-101 from forward lever and aft 

bellcrank. Remove control tube assembly from the helicopter. 

4. Thoroughly inspect the control tube assembly for damage. Refer to BHT-430-

CR&O-4, Chapter 67, Paragraphs 67-4, 67-5 and Figure 67-1 for damage limits, 

repair and refinish procedure. Make sure that the bonded clevis is exempt of 

damage and is securely bonded to the control tube 

a. If the control tube assembly meets the criteria of the inspection/repair listed 

above, proceed to step 5. 

b. If the damage(s) on the control tube exceed the listed limits, submit a detailed 

description of the damage(s) to PSEINTER@BH.COM with a sketch of the tube 

including size, dimension and exact location of each damage on the tube. 

Ensure that you indicate the forward and aft position of the control tube. Bell 

Helicopter Engineering will analyze the damages on the tube and determine if it 

may return to service. 

5. Modify control tube assembly as follows: 

a. The control tube (without the clevises) measures 72.15 inches overall. 

Measure and using a pen or pencil, lightly mark the center of the tube. 

b. Measure and cut quantity of 4, 30 inch long pieces from the roll of tape, P/N 

2000-06610-00. DO NOT remove the peel ply from the tape at this time. 

c. Measure and using a pen or pencil, mark the center of each piece of tape. 

d. Using a lint free cloth, wipe the entire surface of the tube using MEK (C-309) to 

remove the oily film. 
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e. Remove the peel ply from one piece of tape and carefully apply it on the tube 

making sure that you align the center mark of the tape with the center mark of 

the tube. The tape must be in full contact with the surface of the tube without 

kinks or air bubbles. Rubbing the tape down with a smooth edged plastic piece 

or similar object will help the tape adhere better and conform to the tube 

surface. 

f. Remove the peel ply from the second piece of tape and apply it precisely over 

the first piece of tape previously bonded to the tube per step e. The tape must 

be in full contact with the tape already on the tube without kinks or air bubbles. 

Rubbing the tape down with a smooth edged plastic piece or similar object will 

help the tape adhere better and conform to the surface. 

g. Remove the peel ply from the third piece of tape and carefully apply it on the 

tube, 180 degrees from the tape applied in step e and step f above, making 

sure that you align the center mark of the tape with the center mark of the tube. 

The tape must be in full contact with the surface of the tube without kinks or air 

bubbles. Rubbing the tape down with a smooth edged plastic piece or similar 

object will help the tape adhere better and conform to the tube surface. 

h. Remove the peel ply from the fourth piece of tape and apply it precisely over 

the third piece of tape previously bonded to the tube per step g. The tape must 

be in full contact with the tape already on the tube without kinks or air bubbles. 

Rubbing the tape down with a smooth edged plastic piece or similar object will 

help the tape adhere better and conform to the surface. 

6. Install the modified control tube assembly in the helicopter. Reconnect the control 

tube to the forward lever and aft bellcrank. Refer to BHT-430-MM. 

7. Reinstall panels and covers previously removed. Refer to BHT-430-MM. 

8. Make an entry in the helicopter logbook and historical service records indicating 

compliance with this Alert Service Bulletin.