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2004-20-07: Main rotor yoke (yoke)

FAA order 2004-20-07 is an airworthiness directive in force since November 9, 2004. The FAA's subject line: Main rotor yoke (yoke). It names Bell 222, Bell 230: about 34 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: rotorcraft systems.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Aircraft
Makes
Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada
Models
222, 222B, 222U, 230
On this site
Bell 222 21 registered
Bell 230 13 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
November 9, 2004
Published
October 5, 2004 (signed September 24, 2004)
Docket
2004-SW-04-AD
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) model helicopters that requires certain inspections of the main rotor yoke (yoke) for a crack, fretting, or buffer deterioration. If a crack is found, the AD requires replacing the yoke with an airworthy yoke before further flight. If fretting or buffer deterioration are found, the AD requires further inspecting the main rotor hub assembly (hub assembly) and repairing or replacing any unairworthy parts. Also, the AD requires a torque inspection of the flapping bearing retaining nuts at specified intervals. This amendment is prompted by the discovery of a crack in a yoke. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the yoke and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (3,550 characters)
2004-20-07 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-13812. Docket No. 2004-SW-04-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: The following helicopter models, certificated in any category: \n\n\nModel \nSerial number (S/N) \n With main rotor hub (hub) assembly part number installed\n(1) 222\n(2) 222B\n(3) 222U\n(4) 230\n47006-47089\n47131-47156\n47501-47574\n47501-47574\n222-011-101-ALL or 222-012-101-ALL.\n222-011-101-ALL or 222-012-101-ALL. \n222-011-101-ALL or 222-012-101-ALL.\n222-012-101-ALL\n\n \n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo prevent failure of the yoke and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following: \n\t(a) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) or by the next scheduled inspection for the hub assembly, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS, using a 10X or higher magnifying glass, visually inspect the main rotor yoke (yoke) for a crack, fretting or buffer deterioration in the four areas around the flapping bearing attachment bushings as shown in the following Figure 1 of this AD: \n\n\n\n\n\tNote 1: Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) Nos. 222-03-97 for the Model 222 and 222B, 222U-03-68 for the Model 222U, and 230-03-28 for the Model 230, all dated September 23, 2003, pertain to the subject of this AD. \n\n\t(1) If a crack is found, before further flight, replace the yoke with an airworthy yoke. \n\n\t(2) If fretting or buffer deterioration is found on the yoke in the areas shown in Figure 1 of this AD, before further flight, disassemble the hub assembly and further inspect the yoke with a 10X or higher magnifying glass in the four areas shown in Figures 2 and 3 of this AD. \n\n\t(i) If a crack is found on any part, before further flight, replace the part with an airworthy part. \n\n\t(ii) If fretting or buffer deterioration is found on any part, before further flight, repair any unairworthy part or replace the part with an airworthy part. \n\n\n\n\n\n\t(b) Within 50 hours TIS or by the next scheduled inspection for each hub assembly, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS, determine the torque of the four main rotor flapping bearing retaining bolts or nuts. While holding the bolt head, apply 100 foot-pounds (135Nm) of torque to the nut in the tightening direction. \n\n\t(1) If 100 foot-pounds (135Nm) of torque is reached without movement of the nut, before further flight, torque the nut to 125 foot-pounds. \n\n\t(2) If any nut moves before reaching 100 foot-pounds (135Nm) of torque, before further flight, remove both flapping bearings from the hub assembly. Inspect the yoke, the bolt and nut, and the trunnion supports with a 10X or higher magnifying glass, for a crack, fretting, or buffer deterioration. \n\n\t(i) If a crack is found on any part, before further flight, replace the part with an airworthy part. \n\n\t(ii) If fretting or buffer deterioration is found on anypart, before further flight, repair any unairworthy part or replace the part with an airworthy part. \n\n\t(c) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Safety Management Group, FAA, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance. \n\n\t(d) This amendment becomes effective on November 9, 2004. \n\n\tNote 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada (Canada) AD CF-2003-27, dated November 17, 2003.

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 23, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2004-20-07.json · aircraft systems.