77-17-05 BELL: Amendment 39-3010 as amended by Amendment 39-3263. Applies to Models 204B, 205A-1, 212, 214B, and 214B-1 helicopters, certificated in all categories.
Compliance required as indicated.
To assure emergency exit latch pin engagement and to provide inspection holes for each exit retractable pin, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 100 hour's time in service after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the following one-time inspection and modification unless already accomplished.
(1) Inspect each exit internal and external handle cover installation and determine that NAS 43DD3-8 spacers, .12 inches long, are installed as illustrated in Bell Helicopter Textron Service Bulletin Nos. 204-77-2, 214-77-1, 212-77-11, or 205-77-9 or any revisions thereof.
(2) Add one-inch diameter inspection holes and provide a clear view of those holes through any interior lining in the right and left side passenger door assemblies in accordance with BHT Service Bulletin Nos. 205-77-6, 212-77-9, and 214-77-4 or later revision for the appropriate model helicopters.
For the Model 204B, locate the one-inch inspection hole center near the end of the fully-engaged latch pin, cut and debur the hole in the interior skin, and cut a one-inch hole in any interior lining, if installed.
(3) Label each of these inspection holes using stencils as noted in the service bulletins listed in paragraph (a)(2) of this AD; or use FAA approved equivalent placards, labels, or stencils located adjacent to each hole on the interior skin or lining, if installed.
(b) Within 100 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours' time in service from the last inspection, accomplish the following:
(1) Inspect the latch mechanism of each passenger exit and adjust as necessary to make each pin end flush with the exit frame edge, when the mechanism is in the fully unlatched position, as prescribed in Bell Helicopter Textron (BHT) Service Bulletin Nos. 205-76-12, 212-76-9, and 214-76-4 or later revision for the appropriate model helicopter. For the Model 204B, inspect and adjust the latch mechanism as noted but use appropriate procedures specified in Service Bulletin No. 205-76-12 or later revision.
(2) Inspect for and add as necessary a painted stripe around the cylinder part of each pin using white or other suitable color.
(c) Upon request of the operator, an FAA maintenance inspector, subject to prior approval of the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Southwest Region, may adjust the repetitive inspection intervals specified in this AD to permit compliance at an established inspection period of the operator if the request contains substantiating data to justify the increase for that operator.
(d) The manufacturer's instructions identified and described in this directive are incorporated herein and made a part hereof pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1). All persons affected by this directive who have not already received these documents from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to the Service Manager, Bell Helicopter Textron, P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas 76101. These documents may also be examined at the Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, FAA, 4400 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth, Texas, and at FAA Headquarters, 800 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., and at the Southwest Regional Office in Fort Worth, Texas.
(e) Emergency exit designs approved by the FAA that do not have a latch mechanism and latch pins to secure or release the exit are excluded from the applicability of this AD.
NOTE: STC SH2769SW has such an exit design.
Amendment 39-3010 became effective August 19, 1977.
This amendment 39-3263 becomes effective July 17, 1978.