Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 Helicopters

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-24-31, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of BHTC Model 430 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspecting the lateral control tube (control tube) assembly and the forward fairing assembly for chafing. If chafing is found, replace the control tube assembly and rework the forward fairing assembly before further flight. If no chafing is found during the initial inspection, perform the corrective actions within the next 150 hours TIS. This amendment is prompted by two incidents of binding of the control tube assembly that occurred during flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent binding of the control tube assembly with the inside surface of the forward fairing assembly under certain load conditions and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.