AD 2021-13-15 Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Helicopters

Models named: 429. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 429 helicopters, certificated in any category, serial numbers 57001 and subsequent.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, remove from service any part that has reached or exceeded its life limit as follows. Thereafter, remove from service each part on or before reaching its life limit as follows: (i) Tail rotor outboard flapping bearing part number (P/N) 429-312-103-117 and 429-312-103-119: 15,000 total hours time-in-service (TIS). (ii) Hoist kit cable cutter cartridge P/N 42315-281: 5 years since date of manufacture. (2) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, perform the following CMR tasks for any part that has reached or exceeded its CMR interval as follows. Thereafter, perform the following CMR tasks for each part on or before reaching its CMR interval as follows: Note 1 to paragraph (g)(2): Chapter 4—Airworthiness Limitations Schedule of Bell Helicopter 429 Maintenance Manual BHT-429-MM-1 to Revision 26, dated September 9, 2016, contains additional information about the CMR tasks. (i) Wheeled Landing Gear System P/N 429-705-001-101: 800 hours TIS or 1 year, whichever occurs first, perform a functional check of the Emergency Gear Release. If the functional check fails, before further flight, repair in accordance with FAA-approved procedures. (ii) Float/Life Raft Kit P/N 429-706-069-101: 1,600 hours TIS, perform a functional check of the float/life raft kit electrical system to determine if there are any dormant failures including: Manual inflation switch, water immersion switch, auto-activation relay, manual activation relay, raft activation relay, test activation relay, and the fuse disc elements. If there is a failure, before next flight over water, replace the float/life raft. (iii) Hoist Kit P/N 429-706-001-101: (A) Before the first flight of the day involving a hoist operation, perform an operational check of the hoist cable anti-foul assembly. If the operational check fails, before next flight involving a hoist operation, repair or replace the anti-foul assembly. (B) 3 hoist operating hours, clean, visually inspect the rescue hoist cable for damage, which may be indicated by a broken wire, kink, bird caging, flattened area, abrasion, or necking. If there is any damage, before further flight, replace the rescue hoist cable. If there is no damage, before further flight, lubricate the rescue hoist cable. For purposes of this AD, hoist operating hours are counted anytime the hoist motor is operating. Note 2 to paragraph (g)(2)(iii)(B): Bell Helicopter service information refers to hoist operating hours as hoisting hours. (C) 800 hours TIS or 1 year, whichever occurs first, perform an operational check of the speed limit switches and perform an operational check of the 600-pound external hoist electrical system to inspect operation of the HOIST HOT caution light. If an operational check fails, before next flight involving a hoist operation, repair in accordance with FAA-approved procedures or replace the hoist. (D) 2,200 hours TIS or 111 hoist operating hours, whichever occurs first, perform a functional check of the cable cutter cartridge electrical system to inspect for correct functioning of the cable cutter switches (hoist pendant, pilot cyclic, and copilot cyclic) and associated wiring. If a functional check fails, before next flight involving a hoist operation, repair in accordance with FAA-approved procedures or replace the hoist. (E) 111 hoist operating hours, overhaul or replace the hoist.

This AD was prompted by parts remaining in service beyond their fatigue life or beyond maintenance intervals required by the certification maintenance requirements (CMRs) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of a part, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter.

None.