AD/BELL 205/59 - Swashplate Outer Ring - CANCELLED

What this is: This document cancels an old aircraft safety rule (called an Airworthiness Directive or AD) that applied to Bell 205 helicopters.

What the old rule did: In 1990, the aviation safety regulator required owners to inspect the "swashplate outer ring" — a critical rotating component that helps control the helicopter's blades — for manufacturing defects (casting flaws created during production). The inspection had to be completed by 25 May 1990.

Why it's being cancelled: The deadline was almost 20 years ago, so every affected helicopter has already been inspected. The rule has served its purpose and is now just cluttering the rulebooks, so the Civil Aviation Safety Authority is formally removing it.

Who this affects: Owners and operators of Bell Helicopter Textron 205 series helicopters. This is purely administrative — no one needs to do anything new, because the safety work was completed decades ago.