AD 78-14-07

78-14-07 BELL: Amendment 39-3257. Applies to Bell Models 205A-1 and 212 helicopters, certificated in all categories, that are equipped with skid landing gear having aft cross tube assemblies, P/N 205-050-400-7, -29, -35, or -705, or forward cross tubes assemblies, P/N 205-050-400-5, -13, -37, -39, -701, and -703.

Compliance required as indicated.

To prevent possible failure of the skid landing gear forward and aft cross tubes as a result of a crack from possible surface circumferential tool marks or scores, accomplish the following:

(a) For aft cross tube assemblies, P/N 205-050-400-7, -29, -35, and -705, installed on Model 212 helicopters:

(1) Remove and replace aft cross tubes with 900 or more hours' total time in service on the effective date of this airworthiness directive (AD) within the next 100 hours' time in service.

(2) Remove and replace aft cross tubes with less than 900 hours' time in service on the effective date of this AD, prior to attaining 1,000 hours' total time in service.

(3) After initial compliance with paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2), these aft cross tubes must be removed and replaced on a repetitive basis not to exceed 1,000 hours' time in service.

(b) For aft cross tube assemblies, P/N 205-050-400-7, -29, -35, and -705 installed on Model 205A-1 and for forward cross tube assemblies, P/N 205-050-500-5, -13, -37, -39, -701, and -703, installed on Models 205A-1 or 212 helicopters, accomplish the following one-time inspection of the tube assembly surface, 17 inches either side of the helicopter centerline, for surface circumferential tool marks or scores, using a light and 10-power or higher magnifying glass or an equivalent inspection method:

(1) Inspect tubes with 900 or more hours' total time in service on the effective date of this AD within the next 100 hours' time in service.

(2) Inspect tubes with less than 900 hours' total time in service on the effective date of this AD, prior to attaining 1,000hours' total time in service.

(3) Compliance with Bell Helicopter Textron Technical Bulletin Nos. 205-77-3 or 212-77-8, paragraph 1, fulfills compliance with paragraph (b) of this AD for the forward cross tube assembly.

(4) Remove tubes, having surface circumferential tool marks or scores, within 50 hours' time in service after compliance with paragraphs (b)(1), (2), or (3) above, and install tubes free of circumferential tool marks or scores.

(c) Operators not having kept time in service records on individual cross tubes should use skid gear assembly time in service for the purposes of this AD.

(Bell Helicopter Textron Service Bulletin No. 212-77-17 dated December 14, 1977, and Technical Bulletins Nos. 212-77-8 and 205-77-3 dated September 13, 1977, and No. 205-78-4 dated March 8, 1978, pertain to this subject.)

This amendment becomes effective August 10, 1978.