Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21251 · Main rotor
Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Helicopters
This AD applies to Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.), Model 204B, 205A-1, and 212 helicopters, certificated in any category, with main rotor hub tension-torsion strap (TT strap) assembly part number (P/N) 204-012-112-005 installed.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) (Bell), Model 204B, 205A-1, and 212 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on main rotor hub tension-torsion strap (TT strap) assemblies. This AD requires reducing the life limit of a certain part-numbered TT strap assembly and prohibits installing this TT strap assembly on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS), determine the total hours TIS and the total months since initial installation of each TT strap assembly.
(i) If the TT strap assembly has accumulated 1,200 or more total hours TIS or reached 18 or more months since initial installation on any helicopter, whichever occurs first, before further flight, remove from service the TT strap assembly.
(ii) If the TT strap assembly has accumulated less than 1,200 total hours TIS and reached less than 18 months since initial installation on any helicopter, create a component history card or equivalent record establishing the new life limit of 1,200 total hours TIS or 18 months since initial installation on any helicopter, whichever occurs first.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install TT strap assembly P/N 204-012-112-005 on any helicopter.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
