# Proposed AD FAA-2012-0337: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Helicopters

- Type: Proposed airworthiness directive (not in force)
- Status: Became AD 2012-18-09
- Products: Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada
- Product type: Aircraft
- Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
- Published: March 29, 2012, 77 FR 18970
- Comments due: May 29, 2012
- Became: [AD 2012-18-09](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2012-18-09)
- Docket: FAA-2012-0337 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2012-0337, where comments are filed)
- Project: 2010-SW-090-AD
- FR document: 2012-7542
- Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/eb/d3/ebd3456eb87b719801cbcd08d3a3a1a6cf2a39a1bdb05968bc414b66d4d7012f (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2012-03-29/pdf/2012-7542.pdf)
- Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2012/03/29/2012-7542/airworthiness-directives-bell-helicopter-textron-canada-helicopters
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/DDCA015B5718CA10862579D0004FBE41.0001
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2012-0337

## Summary

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 407 helicopters. This proposed AD is prompted by a review of the tailboom-attachment installation, which revealed that the torque value of the bolts specified in the BHTC Model 407 Maintenance Manual and applied during manufacturing was incorrect and exceeded the torque range recommended for the bolts. This proposed AD would require you to replace tailboom- attachment hardware (attachment hardware), and perform initial and recurring determinations of the torque on the nuts of the tailboom-attachment bolts (bolts) at all four attachment locations. The actions required by this proposed AD are intended to prevent an over-torque of a bolt, bolt failure, loss of the tailboom, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

## Notices in this docket

- Mar 29, 2012: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). (first notice), FR document 2012-7542, comments due May 29, 2012 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2012/03/29/2012-7542/airworthiness-directives-bell-helicopter-textron-canada-helicopters)

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