AV 2003-04
17 July 2003
There have been a number of reported tailboom skin cracks located on the right hand side and top of the tailboom between tailboom stations TB 120-140 for model 222, or TB 220-240 for models 222B, 222U, and 230. During the inspection and repair of those cracks, additional cracks in the longerons and in the bulkhead flanges inside the tailboom have been discovered.
Transport Canada recommends a detailed visual inspection of tailbooms that have accumulated more than 5000 hours time-in-service within the next 300 hours. This detailed inspection should also be conducted any time a skin crack is discovered on the left hand side of the tailboom or on the upper skin between the two most upper longerons adjacent to Buttock Line BL 0.0.
Note A: Inspect longerons and both sides of bulkheads along longerons this zone
Note B: Inspect both sides of bulkhead and fittings that attach to longerons in the areas shown.
Most of the cracks on the right hand side could be prevented by the application of the existing BHT technical bulletins 222U-94-65 and 222-94-138. All cracks discovered in tailboom skins must be repaired.
Inspections should be accomplished in the areas as shown in Figure 1. Access can be gained thru removal of the access door (see Figure 2) and removal of the horizontal stabilizer.
Any further defects or occurrences should be reported to Transport Canada, Continuing Airworthiness, Ottawa via the Service Difficult Reporting program.
For further information, contact a Transport Canada Centre, or Mr. Bogdan Gajewski, Continuing Airworthiness, Ottawa, telephone (613) 952-4450, facsimile (613) 996-9178 or e-mail gajewsb@tc.gc.ca.
For Director, Aircraft Certification
R.A. Raoux
Acting Chief, Continuing Airworthiness