Airworthiness DirectiveEASA AD US-2022-07-03

Rotors Flight Control - Collective Lever - Replacement / Life Limitation

Published: Apr 21, 2022
Effective: Apr 27, 2022
Deadline: Apr 27, 2022

AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.

What to do

Operators of Bell 412, 412EP, and 412CF helicopters equipped with the Strake and FastFin system must add the permanent hours TIS penalty to the affected collective levers within 50 hours TIS after April 27, 2022. Installation of collective levers without the penalty applied is prohibited on these helicopters. Maintenance teams should refer to Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 412-12-151, Revision A, for detailed procedures and ensure compliance with the AD to maintain airworthiness.

Summary

Federal Register Volume 87, Number 56 (March 23, 2022) Airworthiness Directive 2022-07-03 is a final rule issued by the FAA addressing Bell Textron Inc. Model 412, 412EP, and 412CF helicopters. It requires adding a permanent hours time-in-service (TIS) penalty to certain collective levers due to fatigue life concerns identified during evaluation of helicopters equipped with the Strake and FastFin system. The directive prohibits installation of collective levers unless the penalty has been applied to ensure continued airworthiness.

What changed

This new airworthiness directive introduces a permanent hours TIS penalty for collective levers part number 412-010-408-101 installed on Bell 412 series helicopters with the Strake and FastFin system part number 412-705-040-101. It removes the penalty requirement for helicopters without the Strake and FastFin system and clarifies installation prohibitions to apply only to affected configurations. The compliance timeframe for adding the penalty is within 50 hours TIS after the AD's effective date.

Why it matters

This AD is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses an unsafe condition that could lead to fatigue damage, cracking, and failure of the collective lever, potentially resulting in loss of helicopter control. Operators and maintenance organizations must track and apply the flight hour penalty to ensure collective levers are replaced or inspected timely, maintaining safety and regulatory compliance. Failure to comply could lead to increased risk and regulatory enforcement actions.

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