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 39.1 (1) of CAR 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 212 Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 212/63 Tail Rotor Blade Fwd Tip Weight Retention
Block and Aft Tip Closure
7/2002
Applicability: Model 212 helicopters, equipped with a tail rotor blade, part number 212-010-750- 009, -011, -105, -107, -109, or -111, having a serial number prefix ATR or A3, or a serial number with a prefix A and a number less than or equal to 11529.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the tail rotor blade forward tip weight retention block and aft tip closure for adhesive bond voids. Remove any tail rotor blade with a void in excess of that allowed by the Component Repair and Overhaul Manual limitations.
2. Inspect the forward tip weight retention block attachment countersink screws in four locations to determine if the head of each countersink screw is flush with the surface of the abrasion strip. The locations of these four screws are depicted on Figure 1 of Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Alert Service Bulletin 212-00-111 Revision A. If any of these screws are set below the surface of the abrasion strip or are covered with filler material, install shear pins in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Shear Pin Installation paragraphs, of the applicable alert service bulletin.
3. Install the aft tip closure rivets on all affected tail rotor blades in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Aft Tip Closure Rivet Installation paragraphs, of the applicable alert service bulletin.
Note: FAA AD 2002-09-04 Amdt 39-12737 refers.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 11 July 2002, unless already accomplished.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 July 2002.
Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 212/63 (continued)
Background: The FAA received reports of five occurrences of missing tail rotor blade forward tip weight retention blocks or aft tip closures that resulted in minor to substantial damage. Such damage could result in loss of a tail rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 28 May 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 June 2002.