Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 427 Helicopters
airworthiness · Rule · Final rule. · Published 2003-02-28 · Effective 2003-04-04 · 68 FR 9523
Document
Document number
03-4477
Federal Register citation
68 FR 9523
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule.
Category
airworthiness
Manufacturer
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 427
Publication date
2003-02-28
Effective date
2003-04-04
FAA docket
Docket No. 2001-SW-43-AD
Abstract
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) model helicopters that requires modifying the auxiliary fin assemblies and revising the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to reduce the never-exceed speed (Vne) for a tail rotor pedal stop failure. This amendment is prompted by several incidents of main rotor blades contacting the top of the fin that have resulted in an upper tuning weight (weight) becoming loose. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a main rotor blade from striking an auxiliary fin, loss of a tuning weight, impact with a tail or main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.