AD/Bell 407/37 Flight Control Bearings (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) 407 Series Helicopters

AD/BELL 407/37 Flight Control Bearings 10/2009 TX

Applicability:

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Helicopters Serial number 53000 through 53887, 53890 through 53916, 53918, 53920, 53921, 53923 through 53926 and 53928.

Requirement:

Perform a one-time inspection and, if required, rectification of the affected parts as per Accomplishment Instructions of BHTC Alert Service Bulletin 407-09-88 dated
7 April 2009, or later revisions approved by the Chief, Continuing Airworthiness, Transport Canada.

Note:  Transport Canada AD CF-2009-32 dated 24 July 2009 refers.

Compliance:

Within the next 10 flight hours, but not later than 30 calendar days from the effective day of this AD, unless already accomplished.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 14 August 2009.

Background:

It has been determined that some bearings may not have been staked as required. Consequently, the functionality of affected parts may be limited.  This situation, if not corrected, could lead to loss of control of the helicopter.

BHTC Operational Safety Notice OSN GEN-09-38 dated 7 April 2009 provides further information on this subject.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

12 August 2009