AD 2003-05-03 Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 407 Helicopters

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

Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000 through 53475, with tailboom, part number (P/N) 407-030-801-101, -105 or-107, or P/N 407-530-014-101 or -103, (re-identified in accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-01-48, Revision B, dated April 25, 2002), installed, 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 (h) 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. To prevent separation of the tailboom and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:   Applicable tailboom Compliance time Actions In accordance with (a) Tailboom, P/N 407-030-801-101 and -105, that have not been modified in accordance with Bell ASB 407-01-048, Revision B, dated April 25, 2002 Before the first flight of each day Visually check the tailboom for cracks. An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may perform the visual check required by this paragraph, but must enter compliance with this paragraph into the helicopter records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.11 and 91.417(a)(2)(v) Figure 1 of this AD. (b) Tailboom, P/N 407-030-801-101 and -105, that have 600 or more hours TIS and have not been modified in accordance with Bell ASB 407-01-48, Revision B, dated April 25, 2002 Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS Visually inspect the tailboom for cracks using a 10x or higher magnifying glass Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bell ASB 407-99-26, Revision C, dated February 28, 2002, except contacting Bell is not required. (c) Tailboom, P/N 407-030-801-101 and -105 Within 600 hours TIS, but not later than 30 days, unless previously accomplished Modify and re-identify tailbooms as P/N 407-530-014-101 and -103, respectively, and install improved horizontal stabilizer assembly, P/N 407-023-800-ALL Parts I and III of the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell ASB 407-01-48, Revision B, dated April 25, 2002, and Bell Technical Bulletin No. 407-01-33, dated August 29, 2001, except contacting Bell is not required. (d) Tailboom, P/N 407-530-014-101 and -103; and P/N 407-030-801-107 Before further flight after the tailboom is modified and re-identified, unless previously accomplished Create a historical service record sheet and assign a life limit of 5,000 hours TIS since modification, re-identification, and installation of tailboom,P/N 407-530-014-101 or -103, on any helicopter, or initial installation of P/N 407-030-801-107 on any helicopter Part IV of the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell ASB 407-01-48, Revision B, dated April 25, 2002. (e) Tailboom, P/N 407-530-014-101 and 103; and P/N 407-030-801-107 Within 150 hours TIS after modification, or within 150 hours TIS since new, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 150 hours TIS Inspect the tailboom for a crack Parts IV and V of the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell ASB 407-01-48, Revision B, dated April 25, 2002. (f) All applicable part-numbered tailbooms Before further flight If a crack is found, replace the tailboom The applicable maintenance manual. BILLING CODE 4910-13-P ER13MR03.001 BILLING CODE 4910-13-C (g) This AD revises the helicopter Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual by establishing a new retirement life for the tailboom, P/N 407-530-014-101 and -103, and P/N 407-030-801-107 of 5,000 hours TIS. (h) 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. (i) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with §§ 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (j) The inspections shall be done in accordance with Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-99-26, Revision C, dated February 28, 2002. The modifications and re-identifications shall be accomplished in accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron Technical Bulletin No. 407-01-33, dated August 29, 2001, and Parts I and III of the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 407-01-48, Revision B, dated April 25, 2002. The creation of historical service record sheets and inspections shall be done in accordance with Parts IV and V of the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Helicopter ASB 407-01-48, Revision B, dated April 25, 2002. These incorporations by reference were 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, 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. (k) This amendment becomes effective on April 17, 2003. Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada (Canada) AD No. CF-1999-17R2, dated April 5, 2002. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 3, 2003. David A. Downey, Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 03-5576 Filed 3-12-03; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P