Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U and 230 Helicopters

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 222, 222B, 222U, and 230 helicopters, that currently requires a visual check of each main rotor grip (grip) and pitch horn assembly without disassembling the main rotor hub assembly (hub assembly), and a visual inspection at specified intervals of each affected grip and pitch horn assembly for a crack using a 10-power or higher magnifying glass. If a crack is found, the existing AD requires replacing each unairworthy grip or pitch horn with an airworthy part before further flight. This amendment requires those same actions, and also requires an additional inspection of the grip and pitch horn assembly for a crack in the disassembled hub assembly, and replacing any cracked part with an airworthy part. This amendment is prompted by the determination that an additional enhanced inspection is needed to ensure the integrity of the hub assembly. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the grip or pitch horn and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.