AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series Helicopters

AD/BELL 407/19 Tail Rotor Gearbox 5/2002 AD/BELL 407/19 Tail Rotor Gearbox 5/2002

AD/BELL 407/19 Tail Rotor Gearbox 5/2002

Applicability: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 407 Helicopters.

Requirement: Remove the tail rotor gearbox and carry out re-installation as per Part 1 of BHTC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-97-14 Revision C.

Note 1: Canadian AD CF-1998-09 R1 refers.

Compliance: Unless previously accomplished, within 300 hours since the last 300 hour inspection, but no later than 27 December 2002.

Note 2: Helicopter S/N 53505 and subsequent may have been completed at manufacture.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 16 May 2002.

Background: The nuts that attach the tail rotor gearbox to the tailboom have been found loose. It is believed to be an installation issue. BHTC has developed a new procedure for installation with a specific torque check procedure. The new procedure supersedes that detailed in the original issue of ASB 407-97-14. AD/BELL/407/4 has been cancelled.

Eugene Paul Holzapfel

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 7 April 2002