{"id":"F2009L02469","name":"AD/BELL 47/102 - Main Rotor Blades Box Beam Clips","slug":"ad-bell-47-102-main-rotor-blades-box-beam-clips","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":79410,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2009L02469-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (All Variants","sectionType":"division","heading":"Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (All Variants) Series Helicopters","content":"### Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (All Variants) Series Helicopters\n\n| AD/BELL 47/102 | Main Rotor Blades Box Beam Clips | 8/2009 DM |\n| -------------- | -------------------------------- | --------- |\n\n| Applicability: | Model 47, 47B, 47B3, 47D, 47D1, 47E, 47G, 47G-2, 47G-2A, 47G-2A-1, 47G-3, 47G-3B, 47G-3B-1, 47G-3B-2, 47G-3B-2A, 47G-4, 47G-4A, 47G-5, 47G-5A,47H-1, 47J, 47J-2, 47J-2A and 47K helicopters, with a main rotor blade part number and serial number listed below, installed:Blade Part Number Blade Serial Number047-110-250-021 A-303, A-304, A-312 or A-316047-110-250-023 A-298, A-301 or A-305                                                                                                                                                                             |\n| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | Visually inspect the entire length of each main rotor blade from the main rotor blade tip to the root in accordance with Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 1. through 8. of Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 47-08-25, 26 May 2008, or later FAA approved revision; and referring to the depictions in Figures 1 and 2 of ASB No. 47-08-25, and Figure 1 of this Directive for correct installation.Figure 1 - Correct Installation of Clip for Box Beam                                                                    |\n|                | If a main rotor blade is found with an incorrectly installed clip, before further flight, replace that unserviceable main rotor blade with a serviceable main rotor blade that has a clip that is installed correctly.Special flight permits may be issued to operate the helicopter to a location where the requirements of this Directive can be accomplished, provided the one-time ferry flight does not exceed 5 hours time in service.Note 1: Figure 3 of the Requirement document depicts a clip installed incorrectly.Note 2: FAA AD 2009-12-01 Amdt 39-15924 refers. |\n| Compliance:    | Within 10 hours time in service after 29 June 2009, unless already accomplished.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 29 June 2009.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |\n| Background:    | The FAA received a report of a main rotor blade with an incorrectly installed clip. The actions required by this Directive are intended to prevent a main rotor blade spar crack as a result of an incorrectly installed clip, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |\n\n![](image.002.png)  \nDavid Villiers  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n18 June 2009","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/BELL 47/102","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/BELL 47/102","content":"## AD/BELL 47/102","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Main Rotor Blades Box Beam Clips","sectionType":"part","heading":"Main Rotor Blades Box Beam Clips","content":"## Main Rotor Blades Box Beam Clips","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"8/2009 DM","sectionType":"part","heading":"8/2009 DM","content":"## 8/2009 DM","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":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope remains focused on the same set of Bell 47 variants and specifically identified blade part and serial numbers to prevent spar cracking and blade loss as described in the Background. The directive imposes time‑bound inspection and replacement duties rather than broadening affected aircraft or outcomes."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: specific Bell 47 models and exact blade part numbers and serial numbers listed (Applicability).","Short compliance window: inspection required within 10 hours time in service after 29 June 2009 (Compliance).","Procedure dependency on an external service bulletin: inspection must follow Bell ASB No. 47-08-25 and its figures (Requirement).","Immediate operational consequence: any blade with an incorrectly installed clip must be replaced before further flight, creating potential grounding and parts/replacement costs (Requirement).","Limited operational relief: one-time ferry flight allowance (≤5 hours) to relocate the helicopter to a repair facility (Requirement).","Regulatory cross-reference: AD refers to FAA AD 2009-12-01, creating linked compliance expectations across authorities (Requirement/Notes)."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires operators of specified Bell 47 variants with particular main rotor blade part and serial numbers to visually inspect each blade for incorrectly installed box‑beam clips and to replace any blade found with an incorrect clip before further flight. A one‑time ferry flight (up to 5 hours) is allowed to reach a repair location.\n\nAffected owners/operators must complete the inspection within 10 hours time in service after 29 June 2009 to reduce the risk of a spar crack, loss of a main rotor blade, and loss of control."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard single-issue Airworthiness Directive addressing a specific safety defect. The scope remains tightly focused on the original safety concern (incorrectly installed box beam clips) and has not expanded beyond this specific technical issue."},"complexity_factors":["Highly specific applicability limited to 21 helicopter models and 2 blade part numbers with 7 specific serial numbers","Requires reference to external technical document (Bell Alert Service Bulletin 47-08-25) for detailed inspection procedures","Contains conditional logic: inspection → if defect found → replacement required before flight","Includes a limited exception (ferry flight permit) with specific conditions (5 hours max, one-time only)","Cross-reference to US FAA AD 2009-12-01 for additional context","Technical terminology requires aviation engineering knowledge (box beam clips, spar, time in service)"],"plain_english_summary":"Owners/operators of certain Bell 47 helicopters must visually inspect main rotor blades for misinstalled \"box beam clips\" that can crack the blade spar and cause blade loss and loss of control. If incorrect installation is found, the blade must be replaced before further flight.\n\nThe inspection is mandatory within 10 flight hours after 29 June 2009; a single ferry flight (up to 5 hours) is permitted to reach maintenance. This AD affects only helicopters with the listed blade part and serial numbers."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bell-47-102-main-rotor-blades-box-beam-clips","history":"/api/acts/ad-bell-47-102-main-rotor-blades-box-beam-clips/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bell-47-102-main-rotor-blades-box-beam-clips/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bell-47-102-main-rotor-blades-box-beam-clips/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bell-47-102-main-rotor-blades-box-beam-clips/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bell-47-102-main-rotor-blades-box-beam-clips/documents"}}