Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

Abstract

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-27-08, which applies to certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 407 helicopters. AD 2022-27-08 requires inspecting the tailboom attachment structure and reporting the inspection results. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-27-08, two additional broken upper-left tailboom attachment bolts have been reported. This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the tail boom attachment structure, performing a torque inspection, and replacing attachment hardware. This proposed AD would also include performing a detailed inspection of the tail boom assembly and associated aft fuselage structure, which would be a terminating action to the repetitive inspection requirements. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing certain longeron assemblies. This proposed AD would also require revising the existing airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the helicopter maintenance manual to include a new life limit for the tail boom attachment bolts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.