AD 73-17-04
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. | 204B | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 204B and 205A-1 Helicopters |
| aircraft | Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. | 205A-1 | Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 204B and 205A-1 Helicopters |
Unsafe Condition
Failure of the tail rotor grips, P/N 204-011-706 or 204-011-728, due to corrosion in the retaining threads and unserviceable condition of the tail rotor grip bearings.
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Required Actions
Remove tail rotor hub and blade assembly, inspect and replace bearings if rough or seized, replace tail rotor grips, and reassemble per maintenance manuals with specified sealant and balancing. Install and track the assembly as per manuals.
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Compliance Time
Within 5 hours time in service after August 20, 1973, for grips with 495+ hours on that date; or prior to 500 hours time in service for grips with less than 495 hours on that date.
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Affected Aircraft
Bell Model 204B and 205A-1 helicopters certificated in all categories.
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Federal Register Abstract
Tail Rotor Grips
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_73-17-04.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 73-17-04 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 204B and 205A-1 Helicopters Subject: Tail Rotor Grips Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: Effective Date: 08/20/1973 Make: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model: 204B | 205A-1 Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Rotorcraft Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: Office of Primary Responsibility: CFR Part Reference: Part 39 Comments: AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 73-17-04 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: 39-1704 AD NUMBER: 73-17-04 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 204B and 205A-1 Helicopters ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: Effective August 20, 1973. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 73-17-04 BELL: Amdt. 39-1704. Applies to Bell Model 204B and 205A-1 helicopters certificated in all categories. Compliance required within 5 hours time in service after the effective date of this A.D. for tail rotor grips with 495 or more hours total time in service on the effective date of this A.D., and prior to attaining 500 hours time in service for tail rotor grips with less than 495 hours total time in service on the effective date of this A.D., except that the aircraft may be flown in accordance with FAR 21.197 to a base where the inspections can be performed. To prevent possible failure of the tail rotor grips, P/N 204-011-706 or 204-011-728, as applicable, to preclude corrosion in the retaining threads of the tail rotor grip, and to assure serviceable condition of the tail rotor grip bearings, accomplish the following: (a) Remove the tail rotor hub and blade assembly from the helicopter, remove the blades from the grips, and remove the grips from the hub assembly in accordance with the appropriate model maintenance manual. (b) Remove the tail rotor grip bearings from each yoke spindle and inspect the bearings for roughness or seizure. If the bearings are rough and unserviceable, replace the bearings prior to next flight. (c) Replace the tail rotor grips prior to next flight. (d) Assemble the tail rotor hub and blade assembly as noted in Section VI of Model 204B Maintenance and Overhaul Instruction Manual, or Section III of Model 205A/205A-1 Maintenance and Overhaul Instruction Manual, as applicable. Apply sealant to the inboard end of each grip as specified in Bell Helicopter Co. Service Letter No. 204B-86/205A-68, dated 12 February 1971, or later FAA approved revision, or as specified by an equivalent method approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Flight Standards Division, Southwest Region, FAA. Balance the assembly as noted in the appropriate model maintenance manual. (e) Install and track the tail rotor hub and blade assembly as noted in Section VI of Model 204B Maintenance and Overhaul Instruction Manual, or Section III of Model 205A/205A- 1 Maintenance and Overhaul Instruction Manual, as applicable. (f) The manufacturer's specifications and procedures identified and described in this directive are incorporated herein and made a part hereof pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1). All persons affected by this directive who have not already received these documents from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to the Service Manager, Bell Helicopter Company, P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas 76101. These documents may also be examined at the Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, FAA, 4400 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth, Texas, and at FAA Headquarters, 800 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. A historical file on this A.D. which includes the incorporated material in full is maintained by the FAA at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at the Southwest Region Office in Fort Worth, Texas. (Bell Helicopter Company Service Bulletin Nos. 204-05-73-2, Rev. A, and 205-05-73-4, Rev. A, dated July 25, 1973, pertain to this subject.) This supersedes Amendment 39-1470, 37 F.R. 12308, A.D. 72-13-06. This amendment becomes effective August 20, 1973. FOOTER:
Document Text
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AD Final Rules - DRS_73-17-04.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 73-17-04 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 204B and 205A-1 Helicopters Subject: Tail Rotor Grips Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: Effective Date: 08/20/1973 Make: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model: 204B | 205A-1 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: 73-17-04 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: 39-1704 AD NUMBER: 73-17-04 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; Bell Model 204B and 205A-1 Helicopters ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: Effective August 20, 1973. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 73-17-04 BELL: Amdt. 39-1704. Applies to Bell Model 204B and 205A-1 helicopters certificated in all categories. Compliance required within 5 hours time in service after the effective date of this A.D. for tail rotor grips with 495 or more hours total time in service on the effective date of this A.D., and prior to attaining 500 hours time in service for tail rotor grips with less than 495 hours total time in service on the effective date of this A.D., except that the aircraft may be flown in accordance with FAR 21.197 to a base where the inspections can be performed. To prevent possible failure of the tail rotor grips, P/N 204-011-706 or 204-011-728, as applicable, to preclude corrosion in the retaining threads of the tail rotor grip, and to assure serviceable condition of the tail rotor grip bearings, accomplish the following: (a) Remove the tail rotor hub and blade assembly from the helicopter, remove the blades from the grips, and remove the grips from the hub assembly in accordance with the appropriate model maintenance manual. (b) Remove the tail rotor grip bearings from each yoke spindle and inspect the bearings for roughness or seizure. If the bearings are rough and unserviceable, replace the bearings prior to next flight. (c) Replace the tail rotor grips prior to next flight. (d) Assemble the tail rotor hub and blade assembly as noted in Section VI of Model 204B Maintenance and Overhaul Instruction Manual, or Section III of Model 205A/205A-1 Maintenance and Overhaul Instruction Manual, as applicable. Apply sealant to the inboard end of each grip as specified in Bell Helicopter Co. Service Letter No. 204B-86/205A-68, dated 12 February 1971, or later FAA approved revision, or as specified by an equivalent method approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Flight Standards Division, Southwest Region, FAA. Balance the assembly as noted in the appropriate model maintenance manual. (e) Install and track the tail rotor hub and blade assembly as noted in Section VI of Model 204B Maintenance and Overhaul Instruction Manual, or Section III of Model 205A/205A- 1 Maintenance and Overhaul Instruction Manual, as applicable. (f) The manufacturer's specifications and procedures identified and described in this directive are incorporated herein and made a part hereof pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1). All persons affected by this directive who have not already received these documents from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to the Service Manager, Bell Helicopter Company, P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas 76101. These documents may also be examined at the Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, FAA, 4400 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth, Texas, and at FAA Headquarters, 800 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. A historical file on this A.D. which includes the incorporated material in full is maintained by the FAA at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at the Southwest Region Office in Fort Worth, Texas. (Bell Helicopter Company Service Bulletin Nos. 204-05-73-2, Rev. A, and 205-05-73-4, Rev. A, dated July 25, 1973, pertain to this subject.) This supersedes Amendment 39-1470, 37 F.R. 12308, A.D. 72-13-06. This amendment becomes effective August 20, 1973. FOOTER:
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Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026
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