{"id":"F2005L01700","name":"AD/BELL 222/26 Amdt 1 - Main Rotor Grips and Pitch Horns","slug":"ad-bell-222-26-amdt-1-main-rotor-grips-and-pitch-horns","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":35769,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2005L01700-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 22","sectionType":"division","heading":"Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters","content":"### Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters\n\n| AD/BELL 222/26 Amdt 1 | Main Rotor Grips and Pitch Horns | 8/2005 DM |\n| --------------------- | -------------------------------- | --------- |\n\n| Applicability: | BHTC Model 222, 222B, 222U, and 230 helicopters; equipped with Main Rotor Hub Assemblies Part Number 222-011-101- all dash numbers, and Part Number 222-012-101- all dash numbers, with 1,250 or more flight hours time in service.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |\n| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | 1. Check the main rotor grips and pitch horns for cracking in accordance with the Part I instruction contained in BHTC Alert Service Bulletin 222-02-93 Revision A, 222U-02-64 Revision A, or 230-02-26 Revision A, as applicable; or later Transport Canada approved revision(s).2. Perform a visual inspection of the main rotor grips and pitch horns in accordance with the Part II instruction contained in BHTC Alert Service Bulletin 222-02-93 Revision A, 222U-02-64 Revision A, or 230-02-26 Revision A, as applicable; or later Transport Canada approved revision(s).3. Perform the new 2,500 hour inspection on the main rotor hub assembly as per Chapter 5, Revision 3, or later Transport Canada approved revision of the applicable maintenance manualIf a crack is found, replace the failed part before further flight. Report finding to Bell Helicopter Textron - Product Support Engineering.Note: Transport Canada AD CF-2002-23R1 refers. |\n| Compliance:    | 1. Unless the initial inspection has been accomplished, before further flight after 29 June 2005, and thereafter at daily intervals unless Requirement Part 2 or 3 has been conducted on that day.2. Within the next 7 days or 10 hours time in service after 29 June 2005, whichever occurs first. Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours time in service.3. For rotor heads with less than 2,500 flight hours, upon accumulating 2,500 flight hours.For rotor heads that have accumulated more than 2,500 flight hours as at the effective date of this Directive, and not previously inspected per the new 2,500 flight hour inspection; within 6 months or 300 flight hours after 29 June 2005.Inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,500 flight hours.                                                                                                                                                                                      |\n|                | This Directive shall be entered on the Maintenance Release as maintenance required. The Requirement 1 Daily Check may be performed and certified by the Pilot in Command who has been trained to do the inspection by an appropriately qualified person. In this case, a copy of this Directive and applicable Requirement document is to be carried in the aircraft.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n|                | This Amendment becomes effective on 29 June 2005.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |\n| Background:    | Transport Canada was advised of three occurrences of cracked main rotor grips and three occurrences of cracked pitch horns. These cracks were found during routine inspection of the rotor head. There was an immediate need for repeated daily checks and 25 hour visual inspections of the affected parts for cracking while the investigation into the cause of the premature failures and appropriate terminating action was being determined.Amendment 1 is issued to reflect the requirements of revisions of the related Transport Canada AD and Requirement documents, which introduce a newly developed enhanced inspection on the main rotor hub assembly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDavid Villiers  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n23 June 2005","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/BELL 222/26 Amdt 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/BELL 222/26 Amdt 1","content":"## AD/BELL 222/26 Amdt 1","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Main Rotor Grips and Pitch Horns","sectionType":"part","heading":"Main Rotor Grips and Pitch Horns","content":"## Main Rotor Grips and Pitch Horns","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"8/2005 DM","sectionType":"part","heading":"8/2005 DM","content":"## 8/2005 DM","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is an amendment to an existing Airworthiness Directive (AD/BELL 222/26). The amendment adds a new terminating action (the 2,500-hour enhanced inspection) to replace the previously ongoing daily and 25-hour inspections. This represents a refinement rather than scope creep — it addresses the same safety issue (cracked rotor components) with an improved solution based on investigation findings."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple overlapping compliance timelines (daily, 25-hour, and 2,500-hour intervals)","Conditional applicability based on flight hours (1,250+ hours threshold) and specific part numbers","Three alternative service bulletins referenced depending on helicopter model (222-02-93, 222U-02-64, or 230-02-26)","Nested compliance conditions for the 2,500-hour inspection depending on whether rotor head has accumulated more or less than 2,500 hours at the effective date","Exception allowing pilots to perform daily checks if trained, with specific documentation requirements","Cross-reference to Canadian Transport Canada AD CF-2002-23R1"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of certain Bell 222/222B/222U and 230 helicopters (specific main rotor hub part numbers, aircraft with ≥1,250 hours) to begin regular inspections of main rotor grips and pitch horns to detect cracking. It mandates pilot pre-flight checks plus more frequent visual and overhaul-level inspections to find faults early. It matters because undetected cracks can cause catastrophic rotor failure and crashes."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Amendment 1 expands the original directive by adopting revisions from Transport Canada and introducing an enhanced 2,500‑hour inspection. It adjusts inspection intervals and adds procedural detail (daily checks, 25‑hour inspections, reporting, and allowance for pilot certification), thereby broadening mandatory inspection coverage and increasing both operational and administrative compliance obligations."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple conditional inspection steps (daily check, 25‑hour visual inspection, and a new 2,500‑hour inspection) with different intervals and triggers","Applicability tied to specific hub part numbers and flight-hour thresholds (≥1,250 hours and 2,500 hours) creating staggered obligations","Cross‑references to several BHTC Alert Service Bulletins and Chapter 5 of the maintenance manual, plus requirement for Transport Canada approved revisions","Procedural flexibility: daily check may be performed and certified by a trained pilot‑in‑command, introducing training and certification tracking","Mandatory immediate replacement before further flight if cracking is found, creating potential unscheduled part and labour costs","Reporting obligation to Bell Product Support Engineering and mandatory entry on the maintenance release increases administrative burden","Retroactive inspection requirement for rotor heads already over 2,500 hours (6 months or 300 flight hours window) adds near‑term compliance pressure"],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires operators of Bell 222, 222B, 222U and 230 helicopters with main rotor hubs of 1,250+ flight hours to inspect main rotor grips and pitch horns for cracking, carry out recurring daily and 25‑hour visual checks, and adopt a new 2,500‑hour hub inspection. Cracked parts must be replaced before further flight and findings reported to Bell.\n\nThe AD sets specific timing and intervals, allows a trained pilot‑in‑command to perform and certify the daily check, mandates entry on the maintenance release, and relies on Transport Canada‑approved service bulletins and maintenance manual revisions."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-26-amdt-1-main-rotor-grips-and-pitch-horns","history":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-26-amdt-1-main-rotor-grips-and-pitch-horns/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-26-amdt-1-main-rotor-grips-and-pitch-horns/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-26-amdt-1-main-rotor-grips-and-pitch-horns/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-26-amdt-1-main-rotor-grips-and-pitch-horns/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-26-amdt-1-main-rotor-grips-and-pitch-horns/documents"}}