{"id":"F2005L01762","name":"AD/BELL 222/30 - Swashplate Drive Link P/N222-010-460-101","slug":"ad-bell-222-30-swashplate-drive-link-p-n222-010-460-101","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":35863,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2005L01762-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 222/30 | Swashplate Drive Link P/N222-010-460-101 | 8/2005 |\n| -------------- | ---------------------------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | All Bell 222 series helicopters.                                                                                                                                                                                                    |\n| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | Remove and do not install swashplate drive links P/N 222-010-460-101.Note: FAA AD 82-09-53 Amdt 39-4434 refers.                                                                                                                     |\n| Compliance:    | Before further flight, after the effective date of this AD                                                                                                                                                                          |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 4 August 2005.                                                                                                                                                                    |\n| Background:    | This directive is issued to prevent possible main rotor swashplate drive link failure due to excessive bearing wear and possible link cracks. Failure of a swashplate drive link could result in loss of control of the helicopter. |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDavid Villiers  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n21 June 2005","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/BELL 222/30","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/BELL 222/30","content":"## AD/BELL 222/30","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Swashplate Drive Link P/N222-010-460-101","sectionType":"part","heading":"Swashplate Drive Link P/N222-010-460-101","content":"## Swashplate Drive Link P/N222-010-460-101","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"8/2005","sectionType":"part","heading":"8/2005","content":"## 8/2005","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD is narrowly focused on a single safety hazard (a specific swashplate drive link part) and requires its removal. It does not broaden beyond that original safety objective: there are no added regulatory programmes, ongoing inspection regimes, or new certification obligations introduced in this instrument. The cross‑reference to the FAA AD indicates harmonisation rather than an expansion of scope."},"complexity_factors":["Single prescriptive action: remove and do not install one specific part number","Immediate compliance term: ‘before further flight’ creates a binary/urgent requirement","Very short document with limited cross-references (only to FAA AD 82-09-53 Amdt 39-4434)","No multiple exceptions, nested conditions, or extensive defined terms","No alternative compliance pathways or phased compliance dates specified"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- Orders that every Bell 222 series helicopter must have the swashplate drive link with part number P/N 222-010-460-101 removed and not re‑installed.  \n- The requirement is mandatory and must be complied with **before the helicopter next flies** after the AD became effective (effective date: 4 August 2005).  \n- The AD references an earlier FAA airworthiness directive (FAA AD 82-09-53 Amdt 39-4434).\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Owners and operators of Bell 222 series helicopters worldwide who operate under Australian regulatory oversight (because CASA issued this AD).  \n- Maintenance organisations and licensed engineers who perform repairs and parts replacement on Bell 222 helicopters.  \n- Parts suppliers who stock or supply P/N 222-010-460-101 or alternative approved drive links.\n\n**Why it matters (stated purpose and safety mechanism)**\n\n- The AD is issued to prevent possible failure of the main rotor swashplate drive link caused by excessive bearing wear and potential cracks in the link.  \n- The stated safety risk is that such a link failure could lead to loss of helicopter control. The AD removes the identified part from service to eliminate that immediate failure risk.\n\n**How it affects behaviour and decision‑making**\n\n- Operators must ground any helicopter that still has the affected part fitted until the part is removed and not reinstalled. There is no allowance in the AD for deferred compliance: removal is required before further flight.  \n- Maintenance providers will perform the removal and, where necessary, fit an approved alternative part or repair configuration before returning the aircraft to service. The AD itself does not specify a replacement part number or supplier — operators must use approved parts or modifications consistent with their regulatory approval path.  \n- Parts suppliers will see demand for compliant replacement links (approved alternatives) and for scrapping or returning the condemned part.\n\n**Costs, incentives and trade‑offs**\n\n- Direct costs to operators: purchase of replacement approved parts, labour to remove and replace the link, and aircraft downtime while maintenance is carried out. These are concentrated costs born by individual operators.  \n- Opportunity cost: helicopters taken out of service for immediate compliance reduce available flight hours and may disrupt commercial operations (charter, training, emergency services) until replacement is fitted.  \n- Supply risk: if many operators require replacement parts at once, short‑term price increases or delays are possible.  \n- Competition and market effects: the AD does not mandate a specific replacement supplier or part number; that leaves room for independent maintenance organisations to compete to supply and fit approved alternatives subject to regulatory approval.  \n- Compliance burden and enforcement: CASA (the regulator) enforces the AD; operators must keep maintenance records showing compliance. Non‑compliance risks regulatory sanction and increased safety exposure.  \n\n**Implementation risks and practical notes**\n\n- Because the AD requires removal before next flight, there is no regulatory allowance for ferry flights or extended operation with inspection intervals — immediate grounding is required where the part is fitted.  \n- If an operator cannot source an approved replacement promptly, they may face extended downtime unless an approved repair or alternative is available and certified.  \n- The AD cross‑references an FAA AD, which suggests the measure is aligned with the FAA’s assessment and helps harmonise international requirements.\n\n**Summary statement**\n\n- Mechanically, the directive is a short, prescriptive safety mandate: remove P/N 222-010-460-101 from all Bell 222 helicopters and do not reinstall it, with immediate effect before further flight. The stated safety rationale is to eliminate the risk of swashplate drive link failure due to bearing wear and cracking. The costs fall directly on operators (parts, labour, downtime); the regulatory design leaves room for approved alternative parts and for maintenance competition but creates short‑term operational and supply pressures that operators must manage."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard, narrow Airworthiness Directive targeting a specific defective part. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 300 words)","Only one substantive requirement with no conditions or exceptions","No defined terms section — uses standard aviation terminology","Single cross-reference to FAA AD (informational only, not creating additional obligations)","No nested logic or procedural steps beyond 'remove and do not install'","Clear, unambiguous compliance deadline"],"plain_english_summary":"This emergency Airworthiness Directive requires immediate removal and prohibition of installation of swashplate drive link P/N 222-010-460-101 from all Bell 222 helicopters in Australia, with compliance before any further flight after 4 August 2005. The part’s bearings can wear and the link can crack, risking loss of main rotor control and a possible crash. It affects owners, operators, maintenance engineers and parts suppliers, and follows an FAA safety order."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-30-swashplate-drive-link-p-n222-010-460-101","history":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-30-swashplate-drive-link-p-n222-010-460-101/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-30-swashplate-drive-link-p-n222-010-460-101/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-30-swashplate-drive-link-p-n222-010-460-101/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-30-swashplate-drive-link-p-n222-010-460-101/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bell-222-30-swashplate-drive-link-p-n222-010-460-101/documents"}}