Summary
This document proposes superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) helicopters. That AD currently requires inspecting each affected tail rotor blade (blade) forward tip weight retention block (tip block) and the aft tip closure (tip closure) for adhesive bond voids, and removing any blade with an excessive void from service. That AD also requires modifying certain blades by installing shear pins and tip closure rivets. This action would contain the same requirements but would expand the applicability to include other part and serial-numbered blades. This AD would also clarify the requirement to re-identify the modified blade by adding "FM'' after the part number and would require dynamically balancing the tail rotor. The existing AD was prompted by five occurrences of missing tip blocks or tip closures resulting in minor to substantial damage. This proposal was prompted by the determination that the AD should apply to other affected part and serial-numbered blades. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of a tip block or tip closure, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.