AD/Bell 430/7 Vertical Fin Attachment Bolts (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) 430 Series Helicopters

AD/BELL 430/7 Vertical Fin Attachment Bolts 11/2006

Applicability:

Model 430 helicopters, serial numbers 49001 through 49036.

Requirement:

1.    Check the torque of the vertical fin attachment bolts in accordance with Part 1 of BHTC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 430-98-5, or later Transport Canada approved revision.

2.    Modify the tailboom and vertical fin fitting attachment including replacement of hardware, in accordance with Part II of ASB 430-98-5, or later Transport Canada approved revision.

3.    Verify the correct torque of the attachment bolts in accordance with Part III, Special Inspections, of ASB 430-98-5, or later Transport Canada approved revision.

Note:  Transport Canada AD CF-98-23 refers.

Compliance:

1.    Unless already accomplished, within 25 hours time-in-service after the effective of this directive.

2.    Unless already accomplished, before 26 November 2006.

3.    Unless already accomplished, within 5 to 10 flight hours after incorporation of Requirement 2.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 26 October 2006.

Background:

A loss of torque of the vertical fin attachment bolts resulted in the fracture four of the eight attachment bolts on a Model 230 helicopter, which is of similar design to the Model 430.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

13 September 2006