AD 2004-10-07 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, with bearing, part number (P/N) 406-040-339-ALL, 407-340-339-101, 407-340-339-103, or 407-340-339-107 installed on the oil cooler blower bearing assembly or segmented tail rotor drive shaft assembly, certificated in any category.

Required as indicated. (a) Until the oil cooler inlet airflow improvements as required by paragraph (c)(1) of this AD have been installed, before further flight, unless accomplished previously, and thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 25 hours time-in-service (TIS): (1) Inspect each oil cooler blower bearing and each segmented drive shaft bearing, P/N 406-040-339-ALL, 407-340-339-101, and 407-340-339-103, by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part IV, paragraph 2.a. through 2.g., of Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-04-63, Revision A, dated March 3, 2004 (ASB 407-04-63). If a bearing is rough, a seal is torn, the expelled grease has turned black, or metal particles are visible in the expelled grease, before further flight: (i) Replace with an airworthy bearing, P/N 407-340-339-107, both oil cooler blower bearings and each affected segmented drive shaft bearing and perform an operational test, and (ii) Install the oil cooler inlet airflow improvements as required by paragraph (c) of this AD. (2) Lubricate each bearing by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part V, paragraph 2. of ASB 407-04-63. (b) For helicopters that have installed the oil cooler inlet airflow improvements as required by paragraph (c) of this AD, before further flight, unless accomplished previously, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS: (1) Inspect each oil cooler blower bearing and each segmented drive shaft bearing, P/N 407-340-339-101 and 407-340-339-107, by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part IV, paragraph 2.a. through 2.g., of ASB 407-04-63. If a bearing is rough, a seal is torn, the expelled grease has turned black, or metal particles are visible in the expelled grease, before further flight, replace the affected bearing with an airworthy bearing, P/N 407-340-339-107. (2) Lubricate each bearing by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part V, paragraph 2., of ASB 407-04-63. (c) Unless accomplished previously, on or before May 31, 2004, or within 200 hours TIS, whichever occurs first: (1) Install oil cooler inlet airflow improvements by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Parts I through VI, excluding paragraph 4 of Part VI, of ASB 407-02-54, Revision A, dated October 10, 2002 (ASB 407-02-54). Note 1: Bell Helicopter Textron Maintenance Manual BHT-407-MM-7, Revision 12, paragraph 65-31. Oil Cooler Blower-Disassembly, pertains to removing the bearings and hangers from the oil cooler blower. (2) Replace each oil cooler blower bearings and each segmented drive shaft bearing, P/N 406-040-339-ALL, 407-340-339-101, and 407-340-339-103, with a bearing, P/N 407-340-339-107, and perform an operational test. (3) Lubricate each bearing, P/N 407-340-339-107, by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part V, paragraph 2., of ASB 407-04-63. (4) Replace each warning lubrication decal 31-112-2 with decal 31-116-1 by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part III, paragraphs 1. through 4., of ASB 407-04-63. (5) Replace Temporary Revision (TR)—9, dated January 15, 2002, that contains limitations prohibiting operations with a sustained tailwind greater than 5 knots, in the Rotorcraft Flight Manual. Replace TR-9 with TR-10, dated July 25, 2002. TR-10 eliminates limitation on the prohibition on tailwind operation in TR-9 because of the incorporation of oil cooler blower inlet ducts and bearing airflow shields. (d) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance. (e) Special flight permits will not be issued. (f) The modifications, bearing replacements, inspections, and lubrication shall be done following Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletins 407-02-54, Revision A, dated October 10, 2002, and 407-04-63, Revision A, dated March 3, 2004. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference 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 National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html . Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD CF-2002-18R3, dated March 26, 2004. (g) This amendment becomes effective on June 4, 2004. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 10, 2004. Kim Smith, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 04-11039 Filed 5-19-04; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P