AD/BELL 222/21 - Vertical Fin Attachment Bolt (Cth)

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters

AD/BELL 222/21 Vertical Fin Attachment Bolt 12/98

DM Applicability: All Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 222, 222B, and 222U helicopters. Requirement: 1. Check the torque on the vertical fin attachment bolts as outlined in Part I of Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 222-98-82 Revision A or 222U-98-53 Revision A, as applicable.

2. Inspect and reattach the fin as outlined in Part II of the ASBs noted in Requirement 1, as applicable.

3. Verify the correct torque of the attachment bolts as outlined in Part III, Special Inspections, of the ASBs noted in Requirement 1, as applicable.

Note: Transport Canada AD CF-98-21 refers.

Compliance: 1. Unless already accomplished, within 25 hours time in service after 16 September 1998.

2. At or before the next scheduled 150-hour inspection, but not later than 31 December 1998.

3. Within 5 to 10 hours time in service after compliance with the Requirement 2 inspection.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 16 September 1998.

Background: BHTC received a report of a loss of torque of the vertical fin attachment bolts on a Model 230 helicopter. This condition resulted in a loose fin with four of the eight attachment bolts being fractured. The Model 230 helicopter is of similar design to the Model 222 series.