{"id":"F2006B04603","name":"AD/BELL 214/3 - Main Rotor Outboard Strap Fitting Assembly","slug":"ad-bell-214-3-main-rotor-outboard-strap-fitting-assembly","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":44355,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04603-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# ![](image.001.png)  \nAIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\nBell Helicopter Textron 214 Series Helicopters","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/BELL 214/3 Main Rotor Outboard Strap ","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/BELL 214/3 Main Rotor Outboard Strap Fitting Assembly 2/2003","content":"# AD/BELL 214/3 Main Rotor Outboard Strap Fitting Assembly 2/2003\n\nDM\n\nApplicability: Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters, with a main rotor outboard strap fitting assembly (strap fitting) part number 214-010-185-107, installed.\n\nRequirement: 1. By referring to the helicopter maintenance records, create a compone nt history card or equivalent record for each strap fitting, and record the total hours time in service and serial number.\n\n    If the total hours time in service cannot be determined, replace the strap fitting with a serviceable strap fitting before further flight.\n    If the strap fitting has accumulated 2,500 or more hours time in service, before further flight, replace it with a serviceable strap fitting.\n\n2. Continue to record the subsequent hours time in service.\n\nThis Directive revises the Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual by establishing a life limit of 2,500 hours time in service for the strap fitting, part number 214-010-185-107.\n\nNote: Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 214-00-62, dated 2 June 2000, refers.\n\nNote: FAA AD 2001-03-03 Amdt 39-12104 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Within 10 hours time in service after 11 December 2002, unless already accomplished.\n\n2. After accomplishing Requirement 1 of this Directive.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 December 2002.","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD narrows its scope to address a specific unsafe condition for a single component by establishing a fixed life limit and mandatory record-keeping. That is consistent with the typical purpose of an airworthiness directive (to correct an identified safety issue). It does not broaden regulatory reach beyond that safety-focused purpose: it does not add new inspection regimes for other parts, create ongoing discretionary powers beyond enforcing the life limit/records, nor extend to other models or unrelated components."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument (single-page AD)","Single applicable aircraft family (Bell 214B / 214B-1) and one specific part number (214-010-185-107)","Two straightforward requirements: create record & record continuing hours","Single numeric life limit (2,500 hours) with clear replace-if-unknown rule","Simple compliance timing (within 10 hours after effective date)","Minor cross-references to Bell Alert Service Bulletin and FAA AD (informational only)","No nested exceptions or multiple conditional branches"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this AD does (mechanical changes):**\n\n- Applies to Bell 214B and 214B-1 helicopters that have a specific main rotor outboard strap fitting: part number 214-010-185-107 (see \"Applicability\").\n- Requires operators to create (or update) a component history card or equivalent record for each of those strap fittings and to record the serial number and total hours time in service (Requirement 1).\n- If the hours-in-service for a strap fitting cannot be determined, the fitting must be replaced with a serviceable one before the helicopter flies again (Requirement 1).\n- If a strap fitting has accumulated 2,500 hours or more, it must be replaced before further flight (Requirement 1).\n- Requires ongoing recording of hours-in-service for each strap fitting after the initial recording (Requirement 2).\n- Revises the maintenance manual airworthiness limitations to establish a mandatory life limit of 2,500 hours time in service for that strap fitting (text under \"Requirement\").\n- Compliance timing: Actions must be done within 10 hours time in service after 11 December 2002 (\"Compliance\").\n\n**Who must act and who pays:**\n\n- Helicopter operators/owners who operate Bell 214B or 214B-1 helicopters with the listed strap fitting must comply. They bear the costs: creating/maintaining records, inspecting logbooks/components to determine hours, and replacing strap fittings when required.\n\n**Why it matters (stated purpose and practical effects):**\n\n- The AD is issued to correct an identified unsafe condition by limiting the working life of a structural part (the outboard strap fitting) and ensuring the part’s service life is tracked. The AD cites Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 214-00-62 and a related FAA AD.\n\n**Practical implications, incentives and trade-offs:**\n\n- Incentives: Operators are incentivised to keep accurate component time-in-service records so replacements can be deferred until near 2,500 hours rather than replaced earlier. Accurate records reduce unnecessary replacement costs.\n- Costs: There are direct costs for record-keeping (creating history cards), inspections to determine hours, and for replacing strap fittings that are unknown-aged or at/over 2,500 hours. There are scheduling and downtime costs for maintenance and parts procurement.\n- Risk mitigation vs opportunity cost: The AD lowers the risk of in-service failure of this fitting by imposing a hard life limit and requiring replacement when hours are unknown, but it also imposes recurring maintenance costs and potential helicopter downtime.\n- Compliance friction: If an operator cannot determine hours, the rule forces an immediate replacement, which may be costly and disruptive even when the fitting might be serviceable.\n- Market effects: Independent maintenance operators, spare parts suppliers and helicopter owners are affected — demand for serviceable strap fittings and for record-keeping services will increase. The AD aligns operator practice with the manufacturer’s and FAA guidance cited, reducing regulatory divergence.\n\n**Who decides and what discretion exists:**\n\n- The AD is issued by a CASA delegate under subregulation 39.1(1) of CAR 1998 (header text). The AD itself leaves no discretionary alternative: it mandates record creation and replacement where hours are unknown or ≥2,500.\n\n**Operational detail to watch:**\n\n- The AD identifies a single specific part number (214-010-185-107) and a single life limit (2,500 hours).\n- The AD requires initial compliance within a short window (10 hours TIS after the effective date), so operators needed to act quickly once the AD became effective.\n\n(References: Applicability; Requirement 1 and 2; Compliance; notes referencing Bell Alert Service Bulletin 214-00-62 and FAA AD 2001-03-03.)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical failure risk in a defined aircraft population. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of establishing a life limit for a single critical component."},"complexity_factors":["Single, clearly defined applicability (two specific helicopter models with one specific part number)","Straightforward two-step requirement with clear decision tree (if unknown hours → replace; if ≥2,500 hours → replace)","Minimal cross-referencing (only two non-binding reference notes to manufacturer bulletin and FAA directive)","No defined terms section — uses plain language and standard aviation terminology","Single compliance deadline with simple alternative (10 hours unless already done)","No nested conditions or exceptions"],"plain_english_summary":"This safety order addresses a dangerous fatigue risk in the outboard strap fitting assembly on Bell 214B and 214B‑1 helicopters. Owners/operators must create and keep a flight‑hour history for that specific part, replace it immediately if its hours are unknown or have reached 2,500, and continue logging hours to prevent catastrophic rotor failure.\n\nThe requirement applies to Bell 214B/214B‑1 helicopters with the part installed and gives operators 10 flight hours after 11 December 2002 to comply."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bell-214-3-main-rotor-outboard-strap-fitting-assembly","history":"/api/acts/ad-bell-214-3-main-rotor-outboard-strap-fitting-assembly/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bell-214-3-main-rotor-outboard-strap-fitting-assembly/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bell-214-3-main-rotor-outboard-strap-fitting-assembly/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bell-214-3-main-rotor-outboard-strap-fitting-assembly/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bell-214-3-main-rotor-outboard-strap-fitting-assembly/documents"}}