The FAA tentatively plans to revise AD 2000-18-51,
...probably with a superceding action. Actions that were proposed by the FAA and tentatively agreed upon by the participants at the January 29-30, 2000 meeting include the following:
1. Eddy current should be the required inspection method in the superceding AD.
2. Operators should be encouraged to perform an eddy current inspection as soon as possible even though time credit may be given for a dye penetrant inspection that was conducted under the original AD.
3. The AMOC retirement life of 2500 hours should be retained until parts supply meets demand. At that point the life of the part should be reduced to 1200 hours. (Bell Helicopter recommends all grips be retired at 1200 hours).
4. The FAA will revisit the 1998 Canadian accident by contacting Bell and the Canadian authorities. Additional documented information that has a bearing on this issue will be considered during future actions.
5. The FAA will consider any additional data that might support changing the inspection interval to 300 hours.
6. The superceding AD will require reporting of cracked grips to the FAA.
7. The FAA and industry groups will assemble a list of NDI inspection facilities that can perform the new eddy current inspections.
The FAA hopes that this information provides some additional background for the Bell 47 operators. Progress reports are planned as new information becomes available.
For Further Information Contact Mr. Carl Mittag, Manager, FAA Rotorcraft Certification Office, Federal Aviation Administration, Fort Worth, Texas, 76193-0170; telephone: (817) 222-5170; e-mail
[email protected]
------------------
Marc