Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21441 · Tail rotor blades
Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Helicopters
This AD applies to Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 205B helicopters, certificated in any category, with a tail rotor (T/R) blade part number (P/N) 212-010-750-009, 212-010-750-105, 212-010-750-109, 212-010-750-111, 212-010-750-113, 212-010-750-117, 212-010-750-133, 212-010-750-135, 212-010-750-117FM, or 212-010-750-135FM installed.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 205B helicopters. This AD was prompted by flight testing and fatigue analysis results. This AD requires reducing the life limit of certain tail rotor (T/R) blades and re- identifying them with a new part number (P/N). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) Before further flight:
(i) Determine the total hours time-in-service (TIS) of each T/R blade and remove from service each T/R blade that has accumulated 2,500 or more hours TIS. For each T/R blade that has accumulated less than 2,500 hours TIS, do the following:
(ii) Re-identify the P/N on the T/R blade data plate by vibro-etching to change the last three digits of the existing P/N as follows:
(A) For T/R blade P/N 212-010-750-009, re-identify the P/N as 212-010-750-111.
(B) For T/R blade P/N 212-010-750-105, re-identify the P/N as 212-010-750-109.
(C) For T/R blade P/N 212-010-750-113, re-identify the P/N as 212-010-750-117FM.
(D) For T/R blade P/N 212-010-750-133, re-identify the P/N as 212-010-750-135FM.
(iii) Create a component history card or equivalent record to reflect the change in P/N for each T/R blade, and establish a life limit of 2,500 hours TIS.
(iv) Revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the existing maintenance manual or the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness for your helicopter to establish a life limit of 2,500 hours TIS for each T/R blade P/N 212-010-750-109, P/N 212-010-750-111, P/N 212-010-750-117, P/N 212-010-750-135, P/N 212-010-750-117FM, and P/N 212-010-750-135FM.
(2) Thereafter, except as provided in paragraph (i), no alternative life limits may be approved for T/R blade P/N 212-010-750-009, P/N 212-010-750-105, P/N 212-010-750-113, or P/N 212-010-750-133.
(3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a T/R blade P/N 212-010-750-009, P/N 212-010-750-105, P/N 212-010-750-113, or P/N 212-010-750-133 on any Model 205B helicopter unless the part number has been changed and the life limit reduced in accordance with this AD.
(4) After the effective date of this AD do not install a T/R blade P/N 212-010-750-109, P/N 212-010-750-111, P/N 212-010-750-117, P/N 212-010-750-135, P/N 212-010-750-117FM, or P/N 212-010-750-135FM, on any Model 205B helicopter unless the life limit has been reduced in accordance with this AD.
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.
