Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Helicopters
airworthiness · Rule · Final rule, request for comments. · Published 2013-07-30 · Effective 2013-08-14 · 78 FR 45845
Document
Document number
2013-18079
Federal Register citation
78 FR 45845
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule, request for comments.
Category
airworthiness
Manufacturer
Bell Helicopter Textron
Publication date
2013-07-30
Effective date
2013-08-14
FAA docket
Docket No. FAA-2013-0639
Abstract
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-10-03 for Bell Helicopter Textron Helicopters (Bell) Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters. AD 2008-10-03 required certain checks and inspections of each tail rotor blade assembly (T/R blade) at specified intervals and repairing or replacing, as applicable, any cracked or damaged T/R blade. Since we issued AD 2008-10-03, an accident attributed to a T/R failure occurred. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2008-10-03 and adds a second, more detailed inspection that allows for an earlier detection of a crack or other damage in a T/R blade. These actions are intended to prevent a failure of the T/R blade and subsequent loss of helicopter control.