AD 59-05-01
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47 | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47B | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47B3 | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47D | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47D1 | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47E | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47G | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47G-2 | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47G-2A | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47G-2A-1 | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47G-3 | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47G-3B | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47G-3B-1 | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47G-3B-2 | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47G-3B-2A | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47G-4 | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47G-4A | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47G-5 | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47G-5A | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47H-1 | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47J | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47J-2 | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47J-2A | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Scotts-Bell 47 Inc | 47K | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters |
Unsafe Condition
Cracks in metal tail rotor blades, P/N's 47-642-102-1; -5; -7; -9; -17; and -19, occurring in areas near rivets 3, 4, 5, and 6 following known damage from tail rotor strikes with water, tall grass, or underbrush.
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Required Actions
Inspect trailing edge of tail rotor blades near rivets 3, 4, 5, and 6 by removing paint with lacquer thinner, visually check for chordwise cracks. Replace blades if cracks found. Leave bare metal unpainted and apply protective coating. Inspect prior to each flight for float-equipped helicopters or daily for others.
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Compliance Time
Compliance required as indicated.
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Affected Aircraft
Scotts-Bell 47 Inc Model 47, 47B, 47B3, 47D, 47D1, 47E, 47G, 47G-2, 47G-2A, 47G-2A-1, 47G-3, 47G-3B, 47G-3B-1, and others with metal tail rotor blades P/N 47-642-102-1; -5; -7; -9; -17; and -19 installed.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
Tail Rotor Blade Inspection
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_59-05-01.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 59-05-01 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters Subject: Tail Rotor Blade Inspection Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: Effective Date: Make: Scotts-Bell 47 Inc Model: 47 | 47B | 47B3 | 47D | 47D1 | 47E | 47G | 47G-2 | 47G-2A | 47G-2A-1 | 47G-3 | 47G-3B | 47G-3B-1 | 4...Show more Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Rotorcraft Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: Office of Primary Responsibility: CFR Part Reference: Part 39 Comments: AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 59-05-01 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: AD NUMBER: 59-05-01 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 59-05-01 BELL: Applies to All Model 47 Helicopters Having Metal Tail Rotor Blades, P/N's 47-642-102-1; -5; -7; -9; -17; and -19 Installed. Compliance required as indicated. As a result of several cracks having occurred (in most instances following known damage due to the tail rotor striking water, tall grass, or underbrush) the following inspection of the metal tail rotor blades, to preclude loss of tail rotor control, must be accomplished as indicated: (1) On trailing edge of blade, remove paint in the area of Numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6 rivets to the bare metal, with a suitable lacquer thinner only. Feather edges of remaining paint with thinner. DO NOT use sandpaper, steel-wool, or other sharp objects to remove paint. DO NOT use a paint stripper. NOTE: The removal of paint does not affect the balance. (2) Visually inspect for chordwise cracks along the trailing edge of blade, in the area of rivets Numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6 counting from the butt end towards tip end. It is mandatory that the tail rotor blades be replaced if any cracks are found. (3) If no cracks are found, it is mandatory that the bare metal portion of blades be left unpainted to facilitate daily inspection. To protect the bare metal, a thin coat of clear lacquer, cosmolene, or grease shall be applied to the area. (4) Tail rotor blades, installed on float equipped helicopters or which have had any service time on float equipped helicopters, shall be inspected prior to each flight. (5) Tail rotor blades installed on helicopters not operated on floats shall be inspected daily. (Bell Service Bulletin No. 128SB, dated January 27, 1959, covers the same subject.) FOOTER:
Document Text
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AD Final Rules - DRS_59-05-01.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 59-05-01 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters Subject: Tail Rotor Blade Inspection Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: Effective Date: Make: Scotts-Bell 47 Inc Model: 47 | 47B | 47B3 | 47D | 47D1 | 47E | 47G | 47G-2 | 47G-2A | 47G-2A-1 | 47G-3 | 47G-3B | 47G-3B-1 | 4...Show more Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Rotorcraft Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: Office of Primary Responsibility: CFR Part Reference: Part 39 Comments: AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 59-05-01 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: AD NUMBER: 59-05-01 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 59-05-01 BELL: Applies to All Model 47 Helicopters Having Metal Tail Rotor Blades, P/N's 47-642-102-1; -5; -7; -9; -17; and -19 Installed. Compliance required as indicated. As a result of several cracks having occurred (in most instances following known damage due to the tail rotor striking water, tall grass, or underbrush) the following inspection of the metal tail rotor blades, to preclude loss of tail rotor control, must be accomplished as indicated: (1) On trailing edge of blade, remove paint in the area of Numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6 rivets to the bare metal, with a suitable lacquer thinner only. Feather edges of remaining paint with thinner. DO NOT use sandpaper, steel-wool, or other sharp objects to remove paint. DO NOT use a paint stripper. NOTE: The removal of paint does not affect the balance. (2) Visually inspect for chordwise cracks along the trailing edge of blade, in the area of rivets Numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6 counting from the butt end towards tip end. It is mandatory that the tail rotor blades be replaced if any cracks are found. (3) If no cracks are found, it is mandatory that the bare metal portion of blades be left unpainted to facilitate daily inspection. To protect the bare metal, a thin coat of clear lacquer, cosmolene, or grease shall be applied to the area. (4) Tail rotor blades, installed on float equipped helicopters or which have had any service time on float equipped helicopters, shall be inspected prior to each flight. (5) Tail rotor blades installed on helicopters not operated on floats shall be inspected daily. (Bell Service Bulletin No. 128SB, dated January 27, 1959, covers the same subject.) FOOTER:
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Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026
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