81-18-01: Main Rotor Trunnions
FAA order 81-18-01 is an airworthiness directive in force since September 22, 1981. The FAA's subject line: Main Rotor Trunnions. It names Bell 206 JetRanger and LongRanger: about 1,453 aircraft on the U.S. register today, 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 (Canada); Bell Helicopter Textron (Canada); Bell Helicopter Textron (Canada); Bell Helicopter Textron (Canada); Bell Helicopter Textron (Canada); Bell Helicopter Textron (Canada); Bell Helicopter Textron (Canada)
- Models
- 206A, 206A-1 (OH-58A), 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1
- On this site
- Bell 206 JetRanger and LongRanger 1,453 registered
Dates and paperwork
- In force since
- September 22, 1981
- Docket
- 81-ASW-27
- Replaced by
- 81-18-01 R1
- Status
- Historical
- The FAA's document
- Read the order on the FAA's site
The order itself the regulatory text, as published
Show the full text (2,460 characters)
81-18-01 BELL: Amendment 39-4192. Applies to Models 206A, 206B, 206A-1, 206B-1, 206L, and 206L-1 helicopters, equipped with main rotor trunnions, P/N 206-010-104-3, 206-011- 113-001, 206-011-120-001, 206-011-113-103, and 206-011-120-103, certificated in all categories (Airworthiness Docket No. 81-ASW-27).
Compliance required as indicated.
To prevent possible failure of the main rotor trunnion, P/N's 206-010-104-3, 206-011- 113-001, 206-011-120-001, 206-011-113-103, and 206-011-120-103, due to fatigue cracks, accomplish the following, unless already accomplished:
a. Main rotor trunnions, P/N 206-011-120-001, with 1,100 or more hours' time in service on the effective date of this AD must be retired from service within the next 100 hours' time in service.
b. Main rotor trunnions, P/N 206-011-120-001, with less than 1,100 hours' time in service on the effective date of this AD must be retired from service prior to or on attaining 1,200 hours' time in service.c. Main rotor trunnions, P/N 206-010-104-3, 206-011-113-001, and 206-011-120- 103, with 2,300 or more hours' time in service on the effective date of this AD must be retired from service within the next 100 hours' time in service.
d. Main rotor trunnions, P/N 206-010-104-3, 206-011-113-001, and 206-011-120- 103, with less than 2,300 hours' time in service on the effective date of this AD must be retired from service prior to or on attaining 2,400 hours' time in service.
e. Main rotor trunnions, P/N 206-011-113-103, with 4,700 or more hours' time in service on the effective date of this AD must be retired from service within the next 100 hours' time in service.
f. Main rotor trunnions, P/N 206-011-113-103, with less than 4,700 hours' time in service on the effective date of this AD must be retired from service prior to or on attaining 4,800 hours' time in service.
g. The helicopter may be flown in accordance with FAR 21.197 to a base where compliance with this AD can be performed.
h. The retirement times, for the main rotor trunnions, established by this AD, are as follows:
Part Number
Service Life-Hours
206-011-120-001
1,200
206-010-104-3
2,400
206-011-113-001
2,400
206-011-120-103
2,400
206-011-113-103
4,800
(Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletins 206-80-7, Rev. B, dated October 15, 1980, and 206L-80-9, Rev. B, dated October 15, 1980, pertain to this subject.)
This amendment becomes effective September 22, 1981.
Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders
2019-12-05SW-19-18 · Fuselage Cracks
2019-04-04SW-19-05 · Tail Rotor Drive System, Spline Damage
2017-11-02SW-18-02 · Loss of Hardware Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Couplings
2015-08-13SW-15-20 · Air Conditioning System Wiring
2012-10-03SW-12-45 · Garmin Model 400W/500W Series GPS-WAAS Navigation System
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 November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/81-18-01.json · aircraft systems.
