AD/Bell 222/14 Amdt 1 Horizontal Stabiliser Assembly (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 222/14 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters

AD/BELL 222/14 Amdt 1 Horizontal Stabiliser Assembly 8/2005

Applicability:

Model 222, 222B, and 222U helicopters, with horizontal stabiliser assembly part number 222-035-250-101, -103, or -105, installed.

Requirement:

Perform Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 222-89-53 or 222U-89-27, as applicable.

Note 1:  FAA AD 89-17-05 Amendment 39-6276 refers.

Note 2:  The requirements of this Directive do not apply if horizontal stabiliser part number 222-035-250-107 is installed for Model 222 or part number 222-035-250-109 is installed for Models 222B and 222U helicopters.

Compliance:

For horizontal stabilisers with more than 2,100 hours total time in service:

Unless the initial inspection is already accomplished, within 50 hours time in service after 4 August 2005.

For horizontal stabilisers with less than 2,100 hours total time in service:

Accomplish before the accumulation of 2,150 hours total time in service.

Inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time in service.

This Amendment becomes effective on 4 August 2005.

Background:

There have been two in-service horizontal stabiliser fatigue failures.  Undetected cracking of the horizontal stabiliser could result in failure of the stabiliser and major damage and/or loss of control.

Amendment 1 is issued to introduce the requirements of the related FAA AD, which supersedes the requirements of the original issue of this Directive.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

24 June 2005