FAA SAIB SW-07-29 - Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI) High Skid Gear Crosstubes
- Published
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of Bell 412, 412EP, 412CF, and Agusta AB412, AB412EP helicopters with AAI 412-321 crosstubes installed per STC SR01052AT should perform inspections of both forward and aft crosstubes as soon as possible using AAI's Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Report No. AA-01136, Revision C. Any cracks or damage beyond specified limits require immediate replacement of the affected parts before further flight.
Summary
FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) SW-07-29 and EASA Safety Information Notice 2007-11 address potential cracking and premature failure of Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI) part number 412-321 series high skid gear crosstubes installed on Bell Helicopter Textron Model 412, 412EP, 412CF, and Agusta S.p.A. Model AB412 and AB412EP helicopters. These crosstubes, installed under AAI's Supplemental Type Certificate SR01052AT, may fail before reaching the FAA-approved life limit, posing safety risks during operations.
What changed
This bulletin introduces an alert regarding the risk of cracks and early failure in AAI 412-321 series crosstubes on specified Bell and Agusta helicopter models. It recommends immediate inspections following AAI's Instructions for Continued Airworthiness and highlights that no mandatory airworthiness directive has been issued, but operators should act promptly to inspect and replace affected parts as necessary.
Why it matters
The potential failure of skid gear crosstubes can lead to severe helicopter instability during landing or ground handling, increasing the risk of accidents. For operators and maintenance organizations, early detection of cracks is critical to ensure continued airworthiness and safety. Compliance teams must monitor these recommendations to prevent unplanned downtime and maintain regulatory compliance.
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