ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN 407-16-113

12 February 2016

MODEL AFFECTED: 407

SUBJECT: TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT SEGMENT

ASSEMBLY, INSPECTION OF

HELICOPTERS AFFECTED: Serial numbers 53000 through 53900, 53911

through 54166, and 54300 through 54657.

[Serial number 54541, 54556, 54567, 54570, 54594,

54609, 54611, 54614, 54619, 64646, 54647, 54648,
54658 and subsequent will have the intent of this
bulletin accomplished prior to delivery.]

COMPLIANCE: For helicopters with more than 4000 flight hours, to

be accomplished within 50 hours but no later than
March 12, 2016.

For helicopters with 300 to 4000 flight hours, to be

accomplished within 100 hours but no later than
May 12, 2016.

DESCRIPTION:

Bell Helicopter has been made aware of an incident where the tail rotor (T/R)
driveshaft assembly failed to provide drive to the T/R gearbox assembly. As a
precautionary measure, Bell is introducing a one-time inspection to verify for any axial
or rotational play between the T/R driveshafts and adapters, as well as a torque check
of the retention nuts that are used to clamp-up the installation. We are also introducing
clarification to the inspection requirements of the same assembly in the
scheduled/periodic inspection programs of the BHT-407-MM Maintenance Manual.
Helicopters with less than 300 flight hours at the time of release of this ASB or that
reach 300 flight hours after May 12, 2016, are not affected by this bulletin. The
Progressive and Periodic Inspection Programs contained in the BHT-407-MM-1
(Chapter 5) Maintenance Manual meet the intent of this ASB.
Applicability of this bulletin to any spare part shall be determined prior to its installation
on an affected helicopter.

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APPROVAL:

The engineering design aspects of this bulletin are Transport Canada Civil Aviation
(TCCA) approved.

CONTACT INFO:

For any questions regarding this bulletin, please contact:

Bell Helicopter Product Support Engineering - Light Helicopters

Tel: 450-437-2862 / 1-800-363-8023 / pselight@bh.com

MANPOWER:

Approximately 3 man-hours are required to complete this bulletin. This estimate is

based on hands-on time and may vary with personnel and facilities available.

WARRANTY:

There is no warranty credit applicable for parts or labor associated with this bulletin.

MATERIAL:

Required Material:
The following material is required for the accomplishment of this bulletin and may be
obtained through your Bell Helicopter Textron Supply Center.

Part Number Nomenclature Qty Notes

NAS1149F0432P Washer 4 1, 3
MS21042L4 Nut 4 1, 2, 3
406-040-327-101 Washer 4 1, 3
406-040-328-105 Adapter 4 1, 3
407-040-330-107 Shaft Assembly 4 1, 3

Notes:
1. Required quantities will vary depending on inspection findings.
2. NAS9926-4L may be used as an alternate part.
3. A complete tail rotor driveshaft segment assembly 407-040-302-117S may be
used in lieu of individual parts.

Consumable Material:
The following material is required to accomplish this bulletin, but may not require
ordering, depending on the operator’s consumable material stock levels. This material
may be obtained through your Bell Helicopter Textron Supply Center.

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Part Number Nomenclature Qty Reference *

2400-11378-00 Mobil 28 Grease A/R C-001

* C-XXX numbers refer to the consumables list in the BHT-ALL-SPM, Standard Practices Manual

SPECIAL TOOLS:

T102146-101 Bearing alignment tool.

WEIGHT AND BALANCE:

Not affected.

ELECTRICAL LOAD DATA:

Not affected.

REFERENCES:

BHT-407-IPB, Illustrated Parts Breakdown

BHT-407-MM, Maintenance Manual
BHT-ALL-SPM, Standard Practice Manual

PUBLICATIONS AFFECTED:

BHT-407-MM, Maintenance Manual, Chapters 5 and 65.

ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare the helicopter for maintenance.

2. Gain access to the tail rotor (T/R) driveshaft segment assemblies (1, 2, 3, and 4,
Figure 1) by removing T/R driveshaft covers from the tailboom assembly (11).

3. Inspect for any noticeable rotational or axial (fore and aft) play between adapter (8)
and T/R driveshaft (12) at all four positions (1, 2, 3, and 4).

a. Note findings for each T/R driveshaft segment assembly (1, 2, 3, and 4) for
future reference in the following steps.

4. Remove aft short shaft assembly (BHT-407-MM-7, Chapter 65).

-NOTE-

Put a support under the aft end of the T/R driveshaft

segment assembly (2) of position 2.

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5. Remove T/R driveshaft segment assemblies from position 1 and 3 (1 and 3) of the
tailboom assembly (11) (BHT-407-MM-7, Chapter 65).

6. Perform torque check of T/R adapter retention nut (5) on all four driveshaft
segment assemblies (1, 2, 3, and 4).

a. Check for minimum torque of 30 inch-pounds (5.7 Nm).

b. Note findings for each retention nut (5) for future reference in the following
steps.

7. If rotational or axial play was noted in step 3, or minimum torque was not met in
step 6, remove adapter (8) from applicable driveshaft assembly (1, 2, 3, or 4) and
inspect associated parts (6, 7, 8, and 12) for allowable damage limits
(BHT-407-MM-7, Chapter 65), otherwise go to step 8.

a. Replace retention nut (5) with new nut, and repair or replace other parts as
required.

CAUTION

Position washer (7) with tapered side facing away from

adapter (8, Section C-C). Otherwise, damage to the part will
occur.

b. Install the adapter (8), washers (7 and 6), and nut (5). Torque the nut 30 to
50 inch-pounds (5.7 to 7.9 Nm) plus tare torque of nut (BHT-ALL-SPM).

8. Install removed T/R driveshaft assemblies (1 and 3) (BHT-407-MM, Chapter 65).

9. Perform T/R driveshaft segment assembly bearing alignment procedure at all four
locations (1, 2, 3, and 4) (BHT-407-MM-7, Chapter 65).

10. Install short shaft assembly removed in step 4 (BHT-407-MM-7, Chapter 65).

11. Lubricate all four bearings (10) as required (BHT-407-MM-2, Chapter 12).

12. Install T/R driveshaft covers removed in step 2 (BHT-407-MM-7, Chapter 65).

13. Make an entry in the helicopter logbook and historical service records indicating
compliance with this Alert Service Bulletin.

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Figure 1 – Tail Rotor Driveshaft Segment Assembly Installation

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