AD 59-05-01

final rule

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 47 Helicopters

AD Number
59-05-01
Status
final_rule
Effective Date
Product Category
aircraft
Docket
Unknown
FR Citation
This information is not available.
Technical illustration of a helicopter rotor hub assembly
Problem area Rotor system

Applicability

TypeManufacturerModelDetails
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.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

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.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Compliance Time

Compliance required as indicated.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

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
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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

Show stored source text (verify against official source)
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:

Source: Official FAA Source ↗

Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026

Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain

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