AD 81-18-01 Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 206A, 206B, 206A-1, 206B-1, 206L, and 206L-1 Helicopters

Models named: 206A, 206B, 206A-1, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model 206A, 206B, 206A-1, 206B-1, 206L, and 206L-1 helicopters, with main rotor trunnion (trunnion), part number (P/N) 206-010-104-3, 206-011-113-001, 206-011-120-001, or 206-011-113-103, 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 (i) 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 failure of the trunnion due to fatigue cracks, accomplish the following: (a) Any trunnion, P/N 206-011-120-001, with 1100 or more hours time-in-service (TIS) must be retired from service within the next 100 hours TIS. (b) Any trunnion, P/N 206-011-120-001, with less than 1100 hours TIS must be retired from service on or before attaining 1200 hours TIS. (c) Any trunnion, P/N 206-010-104-3 and 206-011-113-001, with 2300 or more hours TIS must be retired from service within the next 100 hours TIS. (d) Any trunnion, P/N 206-010-104-3 and 206-011-113-001, with less than 2300 hours TIS must be retired from service on or before attaining 2400 hours TIS. (e) Any trunnion, P/N 206-011-113-103, with 4700 or more hours TIS must be retired from service within the next 100 hours TIS. (f) Any trunnion, P/N 206-011-113-103, with less than 4700 hours TIS must be retired from service on or before attaining 4800 hours TIS. (g) The retirement times, for the trunnions, established by this AD, are as follows:   P/N Service life hours TIS 206-011-120-001 1200 206-010-104-3 2400 206-011-113-001 2400 206-011-113-103 4800 Note 2: The FAA issued AD 99-17-19 (64 FR 45433, August 20, 1999) to establish a retirement life for trunnion, P/N 206-011-120-103. (h) This AD revises the Limitations section of the maintenance manual by establishing a retirement life of 1200 hours TIS for trunnion, P/N 206-011-120-001; 2400 hours TIS for P/N 206-010-104-3 and 206-011-113-001; and 4800 hours TIS for P/N 206-011-113-103. Note 3: Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletins 206-80-7 and 206L-80-9, both Revision B, and dated October 15, 1980, pertain to the subject of this AD. (i) 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Regulations Group. (j) 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. (k) This amendment becomes effective on January 15, 2002. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 30, 2001. David A. Downey, Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 01-30498 Filed 12-10-01; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U