75-26-05 BELL: Amendment 39-2457. Applies to Bell Models 204B, 205A-1, and 212 helicopters certificated in all categories.
(a) Compliance required as follows:
(1) For main rotor blades having 12 or more months' installed time on a helicopter, on the effective date of this AD, conduct inspections within 90 days' time unless already accomplished.
(2) For main rotor blades having less than 12 months' installed time on a helicopter on the effective date of this AD, conduct inspections prior to attaining 15 months' installed time on a helicopter.
(3) Conduct repetitive inspections at intervals not to exceed 12 months' installed time from the last inspection.
(b) To detect possible cracks and corrosion and to prevent further corrosion in the main rotor blade inboard portion, accomplish the following:
(1) Remove the main rotor blades from the helicopter and prepare the blades for inspection as noted in Bell Helicopter Company Service Bulletin No. 205-75-5, revision A, dated October 22, 1975, or later approved revisions, Part III, paragraph A.
(2) Inspect the blades as noted in Service Bulletin No. 205-75-5, revision A, or later approved revisions, Part III, paragraph A. Blades with cracks or adhesive voids exceeding the limits specified in Service Bulletin No. 205-75-5, revision A, Part III, paragraph A, may not be returned to service.
(3) Repair discrepant blades as specified in Service Bulletin No. 205-75-5, revision A, or later approved revisions, Part III, paragraph A. Refinish discrepant blades as specified in Part III, paragraph B.
(4) Install blades on the helicopter in accordance with the applicable model maintenance and overhaul information manual and balance and track the blades.
(c) Equivalent means of compliance with paragraph (b) of this AD may be approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Flight Standards Division, Southwest Region, Federal Aviation Administration, Fort Worth, Texas. Bell Service Bulletins No. 204-75- 1, revision A, dated October 22, 1975, No. 212-75-6, revision A, dated October 22, 1975, or later FAA-DER approved revisions to these bulletins are approved as equivalent means of compliance with paragraph (b).
(d) Upon request of the operator, an FAA maintenance inspector, subject to prior approval of the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Flight Standards Division, 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.
(e) The manufacturer's specifications and procedures 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 Service Manager, Bell Helicopter Company, 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. A historical file on this AD which includes the incorporated material in full is maintained by the FAA at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at the Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, FAA, 4400 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth, Texas.
This amendment becomes effective January 19, 1976.