Bell 429

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of incorrectly installed lockwire on the stability and control augmentation system (SCAS) actuator jam nut. This AD requires inspecting the installation of the lockwire on the SCAS actuator jam nut and, if the lockwire is incorrectly installed, removing the lockwire and installing a new lockwire correctly. This AD also prohibits the installation of an affected SCAS actuator assembly unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. The FAA previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of tail rotor (T/R) blade abrasion strip cracks. This AD requires repetitively inspecting and checking the T/R blade abrasion strip on certain T/R blades and, depending on results, replacing or marking the T/R blade. This AD also prohibits installing affected T/R blades on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of failed rivets between the tailboom skin and the tail rotor (TR) gearbox support assembly. This AD requires visually inspecting the external surface of the TR gearbox support assembly, borescope inspecting or visually inspecting the inside of the tailboom for certain conditions, and performing a tactile inspection. Depending on the results of the inspections, this AD requires removing certain rivets from service or repairing gaps in accordance with an approved method. This AD also requires repeating these inspections within certain intervals. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Helicopters

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-11-05 for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (now Bell Textron Canada Limited) Model 429 helicopters. AD 2019-11-05 required inspecting the tail rotor (TR) pitch link assemblies, and replacing certain pitch link bearings. This AD was prompted by a report of a worn pitch link, and the FAA's determination that all TR pitch link assemblies are affected by the unsafe condition. This AD continues to require the actions specified in AD 2019-11-05, and revises the applicability and requires inspections of certain other TR pitch link assemblies. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. This AD was prompted by in-service reports of the loss of display and subsequent recovery of certain display units (DUs). This AD requires revising the existing rotorcraft flight manual supplement (RFMS) for your helicopter and disabling the traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) POP-UP feature for certain DUs. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Helicopters

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-20- 06, which applied to certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (now Bell Textron Canada Limited) Model 429 helicopters. AD 2020-20-06 required repetitive inspections of certain cyclic and collective assembly bearings. This AD was prompted by new bellcrank assemblies, which have been upgraded with corrosion resistant steel bearings. This AD retains certain requirements of AD 2020-20-06, and depending on the inspection results, requires removing certain parts from service and installing the upgraded cyclic and collective bellcrank assemblies. This AD also requires installing the upgraded collective and cyclic bellcrank assemblies on certain helicopters if not already installed, and prohibits installing certain bellcrank assemblies. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 429 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of incorrectly staked spherical bearings in the directional control bellcrank assembly. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the lower surface of the spherical bearing in the directional control bellcrank assembly to determine if it is properly staked and, depending on the findings, applicable corrective actions. For certain helicopters, this AD also requires repetitive inspections and, depending on the findings, applicable corrective actions. This AD also provides a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of tail rotor gearbox assemblies found loose on the gearbox support. This AD requires repetitive torque checks of the tail rotor gearbox attachment hardware, and corrective action if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 206, 206A, 206A-1 (OH-58A), 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, 429, and 430 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a shoulder harness seat belt comfort clip (comfort clip) interfering with the seat belt inertia reel. This AD requires removing each comfort clip from service, inspecting the shoulder harness seat belt for any rip and abrasion, and removing any shoulder harness seat belt from service that has a rip or abrasion. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. This AD was prompted by three reports of unexpected forces or uncommanded inputs to the directional (yaw) control system. This AD requires revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the identification of certain parts needing life limits and certification maintenance requirement (CMR) tasks. This AD requires establishing life limits and CMR tasks for various parts. Depending on the results of the CMR tasks, this AD requires corrective action. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting certain serial-numbered Emergency Flotation System (EFS) inflation hoses and depending on the results of those inspections, marking certain parts or removing certain parts from service. This AD was prompted by a report that a float compartment on an EFS did not inflate. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 429 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the introduction of a new life limit for the centrifugal force bearing (CFB). This AD requires determining the accumulated retirement index number (RIN) and removing each affected CFB from service before it accumulates 8,000 total RIN. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires repetitive inspections of certain cyclic and collective assembly bearings. This AD was prompted by reports that precipitation can lead to reduced effectiveness of the grease in the bearings. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-02-06 for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. AD 2016-02-06 required inspecting certain tail rotor (T/R) pitch link bearing bores for corrosion and pitting. AD 2016-02-06 also required a repetitive inspection of the sealant and repeating the inspections for corrosion and pitting if any sealant is missing. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2016-02-06, expands the applicability, and adds a repetitive inspection. This AD was prompted by an FAA determination that additional part-numbered T/R pitch link assemblies (links) are affected by the same unsafe condition and that an additional repetitive inspection is necessary to address the unsafe condition. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell Canada) Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting a certain part-numbered curvic coupling for proper engagement and depending on the inspection results, inspecting for play, inspecting the curvic coupling teeth, inspecting the flapping bearing teeth, replacing parts, performing a rigging check, and reporting information. This AD was prompted by a report of disengaged teeth of a curvic coupling due to improper installation. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each main rotor pitch link rod end bearing assembly (bearing) for wear and play. This AD was prompted by reports of worn bearings. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD revises the life limit for the nose landing gear (NLG) assembly. This AD was prompted by revised airworthiness limitations determined by Bell. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-13-03 for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. AD 2017-13-03 required adding an identification number to life-limited rod ends that do not have a serial number (S/N). Since we issued AD 2017- 13-03, an additional life-limited rod end was identified that is affected by the same unsafe condition. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2017-13-03 and revises the Applicability paragraph by adding that rod end. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters as Emergency AD 2018-16-51, dated July 26, 2018, which superseded Emergency AD 2018-15-51, dated July 20, 2018. This AD requires inspecting the tail rotor (T/R) gearbox installation, inspecting the T/R gearbox retaining hardware and support attachment point areas, and replacing each nut. This AD is prompted by two reports of T/R gearbox assemblies loosely attached to the gearbox support. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain serial numbered Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires marking a serial number on life-limited forward spars and actuator fitting assemblies. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires reducing the life limit of certain landing gear parts and is prompted by a stress analysis. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Helicopters

We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the condenser blower motor (motor) and condenser blower (blower) to determine if the motor is securely attached to the blower support (shroud). This AD is prompted by a report that the motor detached from the blower. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Helicopters

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Model 427 and Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires replacing certain engine and transmission oil check valves. This AD also prohibits installing the affected check valves on any helicopter. This AD is prompted by a report of several cracked or leaking check valves. These actions are intended to detect and prevent a cracked or leaking check valve which could result in loss of lubrication to the engine or transmission, failure of the engine or transmission, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Helicopters

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2001-13-51 for Bell Model 206L-4, 407, and 427 helicopters. AD 2001-13-51 required inspecting certain driveshafts for a crack, a loose bolt or nut, or red powder residue and replacing a driveshaft if there is a crack, a loose bolt or nut, or red powder residue. AD 2001-13-51 also required notifying the FAA within 10 days if a crack is found in the driveshaft. This new AD retains the inspection requirement of AD 2001-13-51, expands the applicability to include the Model 429 helicopter, and removes the reporting requirement. This AD is intended to prevent failure of a driveshaft, loss of drive to the main rotor system, and a subsequent emergency landing.