AD 79-05-08

79-05-08 BELL: Amendment 39-3429. Applies to Bell Model 212 helicopters, Serial Numbers 30501 through 30888, equipped with emergency flotation (ditching) equipment, certificated in all categories. (Airworthiness Docket No. 78-ASW-44.)

Compliance required with 600 hours' time in service or six months after the effective date of this airworthiness directive (AD), whichever comes first, unless already accomplished.

To preclude possible tearing, puncturing, and deflation of a float bag after a ditching, accomplish the following:

Remove the four emergency float bags and install modified or new float bags having the following part numbers: Air Cruisers Number D24650-105, -106, -107, and -108 (Bell Number 212-050-207-5, -6, -7, and -8 respectively) or a B. F. Goodrich Number 7MA1002-5, -6, -7, and -8 (Bell Number 212-050-207-9, -10, -11, and -12 respectively).

Air Cruisers or B. F. Goodrich float bags may be modified and reidentified as prescribed by Air Cruisers CompanyService Bulletin No. 120-78-1 dated May 5, 1978, or later FAA approved revision or by B. F. Goodrich, Engineered Systems Division, Service Bulletin No. 01 dated May 8, 1978, or later FAA approved revision, respectively.

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 the Product Support Department, 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. 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 Southwest Region Office in Fort Worth, Texas.

(Bell Helicopter Textron Service Bulletin No. 212-78-9 pertains to this subject.) This amendment becomes effective April 16, 1979.