The FAA Thursday drastically reduced the number of aircraft affected by an emergency airworthiness directive it issued Tuesday from about 2,715 aircraft to about 50 helicopters registered in the U.S. The earlier AD had required emergency inspection of some 2,715 Bell 206, 407 and 427 models. (Bell 206 and 407 helicopters are the company’s bestselling civil helicopters and are widely used in first responder and police work.) The more recent emergency airworthiness directive requires inspections for an improperly installed the cyclic control lever bearing — on aircraft with fewer than 50 hours flight time. Problems with the bearing could lead to control problems and possibly control failure. Affected operators are now directed to inspect the part before the aircraft’s next flight and replace the part if necessary. Bell discovered the problem about a week ago during delivery of a helicopter.
Mass Grounding Of Bell Helicopters Revised
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA significantly reduced an emergency airworthiness directive (AD), originally affecting 2,715 Bell 206, 407, and 427 helicopters, to approximately 50 U.S.-registered helicopters.
- The revised AD targets aircraft with fewer than 50 flight hours for potential issues with an improperly installed cyclic control lever bearing, which could lead to control failure.
- Affected operators are now required to inspect the part before the next flight and replace it if necessary.
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