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

This amendment supersedes an existing priority letter airworthiness directive (AD) 95-23-02, applicable to certain serial- numbered Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada Ltd. (BHT) Model 222, 222B, 222U, and 230 helicopters, that currently requires an initial check of both surfaces of each tail rotor blade (blade) for cracks; an inspection of the blade skin if a crack of a specified size or location is found in the paint; and replacement of the blade if a crack is found in the blade skin. This AD requires the same actions as required by the priority letter AD, but corrects some affected serial numbers (S/N) that were incorrectly stated in that AD. This amendment is prompted by two incidents in which a crack developed in the stainless steel blade skins on BHT Model 230 helicopters, which are similar in design to the Models 222, 222B and 222U helicopters. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of a blade due to a fatigue crack, loss of the tail rotor and tail rotor gear box, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.