AD 2002-08-54 Amendment 39-12835

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) 2002-08-54, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of the specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) model helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires a visual check of each main rotor grip assembly (grip) and pitch horn at specified intervals and a visual inspection using a 10-power or higher magnifying glass of each affected grip and pitch horn for a crack at specified intervals. If a crack is found, this AD requires replacing each unairworthy grip or pitch horn with an airworthy part before further flight. This AD is prompted by three reports each of a fatigue crack in the grip and pitch horn found during routine inspection of the rotor head. This condition, if not detected, could result in failure of the grip or pitch horn and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.