AD 2002-22-10 Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 407 Helicopters

Models named: 407. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model 407 helicopters, serial number (S/N) 53000 through 53498 and 53500 through 53512, certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent the horizontal stabilizer slat (slat) from separating, contacting a rotor blade, and resulting in subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following: (a) For helicopters, S/N 53000 through 53498 and 53500 through 53503: (1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter before the first flight of each day, check each slat for a crack at the radius of each bracket, part numbers (P/N) 206-023-119-109, -110 or 407-023-801-127, -128, or 407-023-001-119, -120, or -121, as shown in Figure 1 of this AD: BILLING CODE 4910-13-P ER06NO02.031 BILLING CODE 4910-13-C (2) An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may perform the check required by paragraph (a)(1) of this AD. The pilot must enter compliance with this provision in accordance with 14 CFR 43.11 and 91.417(a)(2)(v). (3) If a crack is found, before further flight, replace slat assembly, P/N 407-023-002-117 or 407-023-001-101, with an airworthy, segmented slat assembly, P/N 407-023-001-103. (4) Replacing slat assembly, P/N 407-023-002-117 and 407-023-001-101, with an airworthy, segmented slat assembly, P/N 407-023-001-103, is terminating action for the check required by paragraph (a)(1) of this AD. (b) Within 300 hours TIS but no later than December 31, 2002: (1) For helicopters, S/N 53000 through 53498, replace slat assembly, P/N 407-023-002-117 and 407-023-001-101, with an airworthy, segmented slat assembly, P/N 407-023-001-103, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 407-02-52, dated March 20, 2002 (ASB). (2) For helicopters, S/N 53500 through 53503, modify each segmented slat assembly in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Part III, of the ASB. (3) For helicopters, S/N 53504 through 53512, install and mark identification plates for each slat assembly in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Part IV, of the ASB. (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Regulations Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Regulations Group. Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Regulations Group. (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (e) Replacing and modifying the slats and installing and marking the identification plates shall be done in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, Part III, and Part IV, respectively, of Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 407-02-52, dated March 20, 2002. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4, telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax (450) 433-0272. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 21, 2002. Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada (Canada) AD CF-2000-09R1, dated June 6, 2002. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 21, 2002. Eric D. Bries, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 02-27791 Filed 11-5-02; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P