{"id":"F2006B04605","name":"AD/BELL 222/10 Amdt 1 - Flapping Bearing","slug":"ad-bell-222-10-amdt-1-flapping-bearing","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":44357,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04605-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BELL 222/10 Amdt 1 - Flapping Bearing","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nBell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters\n\nAD/BELL 222/10\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \n\nFlapping Bearing 4/93 DM\n\nApplicability: All model 222 helicopters fitted with either flapping bearing P/N 222-310-114-107 or 222-310-114-109.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin 222-92-60 or 222U-92-33, as applicable.\n\nCompliance: Prior to further flight after 10 February 1993. Thereafter, reinspect at intervals not exceeding 10 hours time in service.\n\nNote 1. For class B aircraft this directive shall be entered on the maintenance release as maintenance required. The inspection may be performed by the pilot in command, in which case certification is not required. In all other cases certification shall be entered on the maintenance release.\n\nNote 2. Transport Canada AD CF-92-24 refers.\n\nBackground: The manufacturer has advised that 2 cases of cracking of the flapping bearing have occurred, even though the previous Service Bulletins had been complied with.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope remains focused on Bell 222 helicopters fitted with the two specified flapping bearing part numbers to address reported cracking. The instrument does not expand to other models or parts and retains manufacturer-service-bulletin-based corrective actions."},"complexity_factors":["Limited applicability: only Bell 222 models with two specific flapping bearing part numbers (straightforward to identify).","Immediate mandatory action before next flight, plus recurring inspections at short (10-hour) intervals increases operational disruption and frequency of compliance.","Reliance on manufacturer Alert Service Bulletins (222-92-60 or 222U-92-33) for the required corrective work — operators must obtain and follow external documents.","Differential procedural burden: Class B aircraft inspections may be performed by the pilot without maintenance certification, while other cases require maintenance-release certification and recording.","Administrative requirement to enter the directive on the maintenance release (traceability and enforcement point).","Cross-reference to Transport Canada AD CF-92-24 adds an international regulatory linkage but no substantive procedural divergence.","Cost and operational impact borne by aircraft owners/operators (inspection time, possible repair/part replacement, and maintenance-release administration)."],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires owners/operators of Bell 222 helicopters fitted with flapping bearing P/N 222-310-114-107 or 222-310-114-109 to inspect and, if needed, repair those bearings following the Bell Alert Service Bulletin. Compliance was required before further flight after 10 February 1993 and inspections must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 10 flight hours. Pilots may perform the inspection on Class B aircraft without maintenance certification; otherwise the work must be certified and recorded on the maintenance release. The measure responds to two reported bearing cracks."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in a specific helicopter model. The amendment appears to strengthen inspection requirements based on new failure data, which is consistent with the original purpose of preventing flapping bearing failures. No scope creep is evident."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 300 words)","Only 2 specific part numbers in applicability","Single primary requirement with one cross-reference to manufacturer bulletins","Simple compliance structure: one-time action + recurring interval","Two brief notes providing operational flexibility for class B aircraft","No defined terms section, no nested conditions, no exceptions"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety order for aircraft. It applies to **Bell 222 series helicopters** with specific part numbers for their \"flapping bearings\" (a component in the rotor system that allows the blades to move up and down).\n\n**What it requires:**\n- **Immediate action:** Before flying again after 10 February 1993, owners must follow specific manufacturer service bulletins to inspect or fix the flapping bearing.\n- **Ongoing checks:** After that initial fix, the bearing must be reinspected every 10 flight hours.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of Bell 222 helicopters with the specified bearing part numbers.\n- Pilots of \"class B aircraft\" (a regulatory category for certain aircraft operations) can do the inspection themselves without needing a licensed mechanic to sign off — unusual flexibility for aviation safety rules.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nTwo helicopters had their flapping bearings crack **even after earlier safety fixes were done**. This suggests the original solution didn't work, so this stricter rule was issued to prevent catastrophic rotor failure.\n\n**Key notes:**\n- This is **Amendment 1** — an updated version of an earlier directive, likely tightening requirements.\n- Canada issued a similar directive (CF-92-24), showing this was an international safety concern."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-10-amdt-1-flapping-bearing","history":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-10-amdt-1-flapping-bearing/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-10-amdt-1-flapping-bearing/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-10-amdt-1-flapping-bearing/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-10-amdt-1-flapping-bearing/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-10-amdt-1-flapping-bearing/documents"}}