AD/Bell 222/28 Rotating Ring Drive Pin Hole (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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 222/28 Rotating Ring - Drive Pin Hole 8/2005

Applicability:

1.    The following Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 222, 222B, 222U and 230 helicopters having rotating ring assemblies P/N 222-010-403-005, -113 and -117 equipped with drive pins P/N 230-010-402-101 or -103:

(a)   Model 222 S/N 47008 through 47089,

(b)   Model 222B S/N 47131 through 47156,

(c)   Model 222U S/N 47501 through 47574, and

(d)   Model 230 S/N 23001 through 23038.

2.    Spare rotating ring assemblies P/N 222-010-403-005, -113 and -117 equipped with drive pins P/N 230-010-402-101 or -103.

Note 1:  Rotating ring assemblies P/N 222-010-403-117 identified with serial number “TI XXX” are not affected.

Requirement:

Inspect the radius at the inboard surface of the rotating ring drive pin hole, in accordance with the following applicable alert service bulletin dated 18 May 2001 or later revision approved by the Director, Aircraft Certification, Transport Canada.  The radius should be 0.060 to 0.090 inch.  If the radius is not within limits, the rotating ring assembly, including the drive pins, must be removed and scrapped.

Helicopter Model	Alert Service Bulletin
222 and 222B	222-01-90
222U	222U-01-61
230	230-01-23

Note 2:  Transport Canada AD: CF-2001-29 refers.

Compliance:

Before next flight after the effective date.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 4 August 2005.

Background: There were reports of interference between the new pin P/N 230-010-402-101 and the rotating ring drive pin bore.  The radius at the inboard surface of the rotating ring drive pin hole may be inadequate.  BHTC has issued a series of alert service bulletins to provide instructions to inspect the drive pin to rotating ring joint.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

18 June 2005