Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21678 · Main rotor system
Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2022-02-02. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Bell Textron Inc. (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, and 212 helicopters, certificated in any category, with an outboard main rotor hub strap pin (pin) part number 204-012-104-005 with a serial number prefix “FNFS” installed.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Inc. (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, and 212 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a fatal accident in which an outboard main rotor hub strap pin (pin) sheared off during flight, resulting in the main rotor blade and the main rotor head detaching from the helicopter. This AD requires removing the pins from service before further flight and prohibits installing them on any helicopter. The FAA previously sent an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters and is now issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) Before further flight, remove from service any pin that is identified in paragraph (c) of this AD.
(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any pin that is identified in paragraph (c) of this AD 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.
