AD 83-09-03

83-09-03 BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON, INC.: Amendment 39-4646. Applies to Bell Model 222 helicopters, S/N 47006 through 47089, certificated in all categories (Airworthiness Docket No. 83-ASW-2).

Compliance is required as indicated.

To prevent fatigue failure of the main rotor trunnion, P/N 222-010-154-101, and mast assembly, torquemeter, P/N 222-040-002-103, which could result in loss of a helicopter, accomplish the following:

(a) For main rotor trunnions, P/N 222-010-154-101, with 2400 or more hours time in service on the effective date of this AD, retire the main rotor trunnion within the next 100 hours time in service.

(b) For mast assemblies, torquemeter, P/N 222-040-002-103, with 3500 or more hours time in service on the effective date of this AD, retire the mast assembly, torquemeter within the next 100 hours time in service if it is utilized exclusively with trunnion, P/N 222-010- 154-101.

(c) For main rotor trunnions, P/N 222-010-154-101, with lessthan 2400 hours time in service on the effective date of this AD, retire the main rotor trunnion at 2500 hours.

(d) For mast assemblies, torquemeter, P/N 222-040-002-103, with less than 3500 hours time in service on the effective date of this AD, retire the mast assembly, torquemeter at 3600 hours if it is utilized exclusively with trunnion, P/N 222-010-154-101.

(e) For mast assemblies, torquemeter, P/N 222-040-002-103, which are used with both trunnions, P/N 222-010-154-101 and P/N 222-010-154-111, determine the retirement life by dividing the time the main rotor mast has been in service with trunnion, P/N 222-010-154- 101, by 0.72 and adding the result to the time in service with trunnion, P/N 222-010-154-111. When this total time exceeds 5000 hours, retire the mast assembly, torquemeter.

(f) Any equivalent method of compliance with this AD must be approved by the Manager, Aircraft Certification Division, Southwest Region, Federal Aviation Administration.

(g)In accordance with FAR 21.197, flight is permitted to a base where the requirements of this AD may be accomplished.

(Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 222-82-17 pertains to this subject.)

This amendment becomes effective May 23, 1983.