Ad/Bell 222/43 - Tail Rotor Blades (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 222/43 Tail Rotor Blades 11/2007 TX

Applicability:

All Model 222 series helicopters.

Requirement:

Verify if the affected blades are installed on the helicopter in accordance with BHTC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 222-07-106, ASB 222U-07-77, or ASB 230-07-38, as applicable; or later Transport Canada approved revisions.

Remove any affected blades before further flight and replace with serviceable parts.

Note:  Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2007-21 refers.

Compliance:

Before further flight after 14 September 2007, unless already accomplished.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 14 September 2007.

Background:

Transport Canada received three reports of balance weights departing from tail rotor blades during flight.  The cause has been narrowed down to missing weight screws.  This failure can occur at any time.

Charles Lenarcic
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

14 September 2007