Airworthiness DirectiveEASA AD US-2020-12-10

Tail Rotor Blades - Inspection / Repair / Replacement

Published: Jul 9, 2020
Effective: Jul 16, 2020
Deadline: Jul 16, 2020
Replaces: 2011-12-08

AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.

What to do

Operators of affected Bell helicopter models must perform a one-time inspection of tail rotor blades part number 212-010-750 for corrosion and pitting unless the blade serial number is excluded by the directive. If corrosion or damage is found, repair or replacement of the tail rotor blade is required. All actions must be completed by July 16, 2020, the effective date of the directive.

Summary

Airworthiness Directive 2020-12-10 is a final rule issued by the FAA addressing Bell Textron Inc. helicopters, specifically models 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP equipped with tail rotor blades part number 212-010-750. The directive focuses on inspecting these tail rotor blades for corrosion and pitting to prevent potential cracks and loss of control. It updates previous requirements by excluding certain newer tail rotor blades from inspection applicability.

What changed

This directive supersedes AD 2011-12-08 by retaining the original inspection requirements but excludes tail rotor blades with serial numbers prefixed by "BH" and those with prefix "A" and numbers 17061 or higher from the applicability. It reflects Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.'s name change to Bell Textron Inc. and updates contact information for service documentation. The directive clarifies that inspections are to be performed by operators under standard maintenance regulations, not by the FAA.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for aviation professionals to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of affected Bell helicopters by preventing tail rotor blade failure due to corrosion or pitting. Operators and maintenance organizations must understand the updated applicability to avoid unnecessary inspections on newer blades not subject to the unsafe condition. Compliance helps mitigate risks of tail rotor blade cracks that could lead to loss of helicopter control.

More for Bell Textron Inc. (Bti) 205

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