FAA · Airworthiness Directive
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. The FAA previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of tail rotor (T/R) blade abrasion strip cracks. This AD requires repetitively inspecting and checking the T/R blade abrasion strip on certain T/R blades and, depending on results, replacing or marking the T/R blade. This AD also prohibits installing affected T/R blades on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Applicability
Aircraft makes and models this AD applies to, sorted by US-registered fleet size.
Federal Register text
Verbatim from the Federal Register publication — required actions, compliance times, parts/serial numbers, and methods of compliance. The Federal Register is the legally binding document; this rendering is for readability. Cite: 89 FR 45754.
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 102 (Friday, May 24, 2024)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 45754-45758] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2024-11420]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1466; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00205-R; Amendment 39-22752; AD 2024-07-51] RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. The FAA previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of tail rotor (T/R) blade abrasion strip cracks. This AD requires repetitively inspecting and checking the T/R blade abrasion strip on certain T/R blades and, depending on results, replacing or marking the T/R blade. This AD also prohibits installing affected T/R blades on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 10, 2024. Emergency AD 2024-07-51, issued on March 29, 2024, which contained the requirements of this amendment, was effective with actual notice. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 10, 2024. The FAA must receive comments on this AD by July 8, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Fax: (202) 493-2251. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1466; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: For Bell material, contact Bell Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J 1R4, Canada; phone 1-450- 437-2862 or 1-800-363-8023; fax 1-450-433-0272; email [email protected]; or at bellflight.com/support/contact-support. You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1466.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan McCully, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone (404) 474-5548; email [email protected].