Bell 430

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-09- 03, which applied to certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 430 helicopters. AD 2025-09-03 reduced the life limits on the main rotor (M/R) clevises, universal bearings, and universal to pitch link bolts and required re-identifying the M/R pitch link assemblies with new part numbered assemblies. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-09-03, the FAA received comments proposing changes to the actions of AD 2025-09- 03. This AD requires changes to the actions in AD 2025-09-03 and addresses the comments received on that AD. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-24- 09, which applied to certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 430 helicopters. AD 2021-24-09 required a visual inspection of the main rotor (M/R) pitch link clevis (clevis), rod end, and a certain part- numbered universal bearing, performing a purge grease, and performing a magnetic particle inspection of each M/R clevis, and depending on the inspection results, removing or replacing certain parts and performing additional actions. AD 2021-24-09 also required recurring inspections of each M/R clevis and each universal bearing. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-24-09, the manufacturer has reduced the life limits of the affected parts and introduced new M/R pitch link assemblies by re- identifying the M/R pitch link assemblies that were required to be inspected by AD 2021-24-09. This AD requires similar actions as AD 2021-24-09 but reduces the life limits and requires replacing the M/R pitch link assemblies with re-identified part numbered assemblies. These actions are specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. 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 430 helicopters. This AD was prompted by an in-flight failure of the main rotor (M/R) pitch link clevis (clevis) due to fatigue damage and excessive wear. This AD requires a visual inspection of the M/R clevis, rod end, and a certain part-numbered universal bearing, performing a purge grease, and performing a magnetic particle inspection of each M/R clevis. Depending on the visual inspection and magnetic particle inspection results, this AD requires removing certain parts from service, replacing certain parts, and performing additional actions. This AD also requires recurring inspections of each M/R clevis and each universal bearing. 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 Helicopter Textron Helicopters

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 430 helicopters. This AD requires establishing a life limit for a certain main rotor hub attachment bolt (bolt) and removing from service each bolt that has met or exceeded its life limit. This AD was prompted by a documentation error that omitted the life limit of a certain part-numbered bolt from the Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual. The actions of this AD are intended to establish a life limit for a certain part-numbered bolt to prevent failure of a bolt, failure of a main rotor hub, and subsequent loss of control of a helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Helicopters

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-19-51 for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 helicopters. AD 2010-19-51 required inspecting parts of the main rotor hydraulic servo actuator (servo actuator) for certain conditions and replacing any unairworthy parts before further flight. This new AD requires installing a servo actuator with a new stainless steel piston rod. This AD was prompted by a collective servo actuator malfunction. We are issuing this AD to detect corrosion on a piston rod, which could result in failure of the servo actuator and consequent loss of helicopter control.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 helicopters to require inspecting the tail rotor control tube assembly (control tube) and either repairing or replacing the control tube. This AD was prompted by two reports of failure of the control tube bonded clevis. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent failure of a control tube bonded clevis, which could lead to failure of the control tube and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

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

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Model 430 helicopters. This AD requires installing a placard on the instrument panel and revising the limitations section of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). This AD was prompted by several incidents of third stage engine turbine wheel failures, which were caused by excessive vibrations at certain engine speeds during steady- state operations. These actions are intended to alert pilots to avoid certain engine speeds during steady-state operations, prevent failure of the third stage engine turbine, engine power loss, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

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

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each bearing to determine if it has been properly staked and replacing the bearing or assembly if it has not been properly staked. This AD was prompted by bearings not being properly staked and migrating out of their proper position, which may limit the functionality of the affected part. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent failure of a bearing and the assembly in which it is installed and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Helicopters

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Model 430 helicopters, which requires replacing certain components of the air data system. This AD was prompted by the discovery of incorrect indicated airspeed when the helicopter was tested to the cold temperature limits (-40 degrees centigrade) required for Category A operations. The actions of this AD are intended to correct the published Vne and to correct the indicated airspeed.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 Helicopters

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-26-51, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of the specified model helicopters by individual letters. This AD also supersedes existing AD 2009-08-03. This AD is prompted by another incident in which the tail rotor blade (blade) tip weight separated from a blade during flight causing vibration. This unsafe condition led to the determination that additional blades could be affected and should be added to the applicability. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of the blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 Helicopters

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) helicopters, that currently requires certain checks and inspections of the tail rotor blades. If a crack is found, the existing AD requires replacing the tail rotor blade (blade) with an airworthy blade before further flight. This amendment requires the same checks and inspections of the blades until they are required to be replaced and removes certain serial numbered and specifically coded blades from the applicability of the AD. This amendment is prompted by the approved rework of certain blades and two newly redesigned blades, which, if installed, constitute terminating action for the inspection requirements. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect a crack in a blade, and to prevent loss of a blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 Helicopters

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 helicopters. That AD currently requires visually inspecting the main rotor hydraulic actuator support (support) to verify the presence of all dowel pins and sealant between the support and transmission and verifying the proper torque of each attaching nut (nut). This AD requires the same actions as the existing AD and also requires repetitive actions at intervals not to exceed 600 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 12 months, whichever occurs first. This AD is prompted by the discovery that a 12-month compliance requirement was correctly included in an Emergency AD (EAD) that we issued but was inadvertently omitted when we published the Final rule; request for comments following the issuance of the EAD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the support and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 Helicopters

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for BHTC Model 430 helicopters. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The aviation authority of Canada, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI: "It has been determined that the existing rigging procedures for the tail rotor pitch change mechanism have to be changed due to possibility of parts interference." The cumulative effect of individual part tolerances resulting in the total assemblage of those parts being out of tolerance could result in the tail rotor yoke striking another part other than the flapping stop (parts interference) cited in the MCAI. Also, the misalignment of the tail rotor counterweight bellcrank may result in higher tail rotor pedal forces and a higher pilot workload after failure of the <greek-i>1 hydraulic system. Both parts interference and the misaligned counterweight bellcrank create an unsafe condition. This AD require actions that are intended to address these unsafe conditions.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230 and 430 Helicopters

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230 and 430 helicopters that requires rewiring and testing the fuel valve switch on each engine and testing the ignitor system. This amendment is prompted by an in-flight incident in which a fuel valve switch failed, causing the fuel valve to inadvertently close. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent interruption of the fuel supply caused by failure of the fuel switch, which could result in loss of engine power and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 430 Helicopters

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 helicopters that requires replacing a certain servo actuator-to-actuator support attachment bolt (bolt) with an airworthy bolt. This action also requires establishing a retirement life for certain bolts and recording the retirement life on a component history card or equivalent record. This amendment is prompted by further evaluation of certain fatigue- critical parts, resulting in establishing a life limit of 5,000 hours for the affected bolts. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of the bolt and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 Helicopters

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-19-52, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of the specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) model helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires replacing each affected tail rotor blade (blade) with an airworthy blade with a serial number not listed in the Rotor Blades, Inc. (RBI), attachment to the BHTC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB), listed in the applicability section of this AD. This amendment is prompted by three incidents in which blade tip weights were slung from blades during flight causing significant vibration. The actions specified are intended to prevent loss of a blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 Helicopters

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) model helicopters. This action requires initial and repetitive inspections of each tail rotor counterweight bellcrank (bellcrank) with a specified part number and serial number. If external damage, a crack, roughness, or looseness between the bearing set and bellcrank is found or if bearing set axial play exceeds 0.015 inch, this action requires replacing the bellcrank with an airworthy bellcrank with two prefix letters in the serial number. This amendment is prompted by reports of failure and subsequent loss of a weighted portion of the bellcrank and reports of certain replacement bellcranks having design flaws. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent bellcrank failure, loss of a weighted portion of the bellcrank, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 Helicopters

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) model helicopters that currently requires certain checks and inspections of the tail rotor blades. If a crack is found, the existing AD requires replacing the tail rotor blade (blade) with an airworthy blade before further flight. This amendment requires the same checks and inspections as the existing AD, but expands the applicability with the addition of two BHTC Model 430 helicopter serial numbers. This amendment is prompted by the manufacturer issuing revised service information that includes the additional two serial numbers. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect a crack in the blade, and to prevent loss of a blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 Helicopters

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron (BHTC) model helicopters. This action requires certain checks and inspections of the tail rotor blades. If a crack is found, before further flight, this AD requires replacing the tail rotor blade (blade) with an airworthy blade. This amendment is prompted by three reports of cracked blades found during scheduled inspections. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect a crack in the blade and prevent loss of a blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 Helicopters

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada (BHTC), model helicopters that requires removing sealant from the forward tooling hole in the right-hand upper fuel enclosure area. This amendment is prompted by the determination that fuel or water could accumulate in the right-hand upper fuel enclosure. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent accumulation of fuel in the right-hand upper fuel enclosure area, a fire, and a subsequent forced landing.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 430 Helicopters

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 helicopters that requires changes to the electrical power distribution system. This amendment is prompted by design deficiencies in the electrical systems. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of both generators, loss of primary electrical power, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 430 Helicopters

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 helicopters that requires modifying the electrical system. This amendment is prompted by the loss of electrical power due to design deficiencies discovered during single-pilot Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight testing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of electrical power and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 Helicopters

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2001-01-51, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires visually inspecting the main rotor hydraulic actuator support (support) to verify the presence of all dowel pins and sealant between the support and transmission and verifying the proper torque of each attaching nut (nut). This amendment is prompted by the failure of a support resulting in an accident of a BHTC Model 222U helicopter. All retaining studs and shear pins were found sheared or pulled out at the junction between the support and the transmission case. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the support and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 430 Helicopters

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 helicopters that requires calibration of the fuel quantity indicating system. This amendment is prompted by an operator report of an inaccurate fuel quantity indicating system. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent an inaccurate fuel quantity indicating system reading, engine flameout due to fuel starvation, and a subsequent forced landing.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 430 Helicopters

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 helicopters. This AD requires replacing arm clamp screws (screws) in the yaw, roll, pitch, and collective syncro resolvers, and installing a guard bracket on the yaw, roll, pitch, and collective syncro resolvers. This AD is prompted by an operator's report that a yaw control channel jammed during freedom-of-control checks following maintenance. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a jammed flight control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 Helicopters

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for BHTC Model 430 helicopters. That AD currently requires inspecting all four main rotor adapter assemblies for evidence of flapping and lead-lag contact. That AD also requires installing a never-exceed-velocity (VNE) placard with markings on the airspeed indicator glass and instrument case and revising the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) to reflect the airspeed revision. This amendment provides mandatory terminating action for requirements of that AD by replacing the fluidlastic damper blade sets with improved sets that incorporate a pressure indicator to detect loss of damper fluid. This amendment is prompted by the need for a positive means of detecting loss of damper fluid that could result in main rotor tip path plane separation. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent increased vibrations, damage to the main rotor system, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 430 Helicopters

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 helicopters. This action requires verifying the torque on each vertical fin attachment bolt (bolt); modifying the vertical fin and tailboom and replacing the attachment hardware; and re-verifying the torque on the bolts after inspecting the fittings. This amendment is prompted by a report of a loose vertical fin, which was discovered during a post- flight inspection. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent loss of torque of the bolts, which could lead to fracture of the bolts, separation of the vertical fin from the helicopter, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 Helicopters

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-24-31, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of BHTC Model 430 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspecting the lateral control tube (control tube) assembly and the forward fairing assembly for chafing. If chafing is found, replace the control tube assembly and rework the forward fairing assembly before further flight. If no chafing is found during the initial inspection, perform the corrective actions within the next 150 hours TIS. This amendment is prompted by two incidents of binding of the control tube assembly that occurred during flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent binding of the control tube assembly with the inside surface of the forward fairing assembly under certain load conditions and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 Helicopters

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-15-16, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of BHTC Model 430 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires inspections of all 4 main rotor adapter assemblies for evidence of flapping contact between the adapter liners and the upper stop assembly plugs, and for evidence of lead-lag contact between the adapter pads and the yoke assembly; installing a never-exceed-velocity (VNE) placard; marking the airspeed indicator to reflect the airspeed restriction; installing a slippage mark on the airspeed indicator glass and instrument case; and inserting revisions to the rotorcraft flight manual to reflect the airspeed revision. This amendment is prompted by a report of a main rotor tip path plane separation, which occurred during a ferry flight at an airspeed of more than 140 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS). The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent tip path plane separation, increased vibrations, possible damage to the main rotor system, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.