AD/BELL 407/23 - Swashplate Drive Link (Cth)

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

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 407/23 Swashplate Drive Link 13/2002 TX

Applicability: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 407 helicopters

Requirement: 1. Conduct an inspection of both cup washers Part Number (P/N) 406-010-412-101 for correct installation in accordance with Part I of BHTC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-02-55.

2. If one or both cup washers are installed upside down, replace the parts in accordance with Part II of ASB 407-02-55.

Note: Transport Canada CF-2002-46 refers.

Compliance: 1. Prior to further flight.

2. Prior to further flight.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 November 2002.

Background: This Directive has been raised in response to two incidents where the stud from one of the swashplate drive links had failed after recent maintenance. It is suspected that the cause of the stud failure was due to the incorrect installation of washer P/N 406- 010-412-101.