ADs Issued for Bell 204/205/210 and 212/412 Tail Boom Attachment Components

The FAA has adopted two new airworthiness directives (ADs) for the tail boom attachment components of certain Bell Textron Inc. helicopter models. 

Bell 204/205/210 – AD 2024-17-02 was prompted by an accident and incidents involving failure of the tail boom attachment structure. This AD requires inspecting the tail boom assembly hardware, replacing tail boom attachment hardware, greasing the bolt shanks, and inspecting torque. This AD also prohibits installing steel alloy nuts on any helicopter. 

Bell 212/412 – AD 2024-16-19 was prompted by reports of cracked tail boom attachment barrel nuts (barrel nuts). This AD requires replacing all steel alloy barrel nuts with nickel alloy barrel nuts, replacing or inspecting other tail boom attachment point hardware, repetitively inspecting torque, and repetitively replacing tail boom attachment bolts (bolts). This AD also prohibits installing steel alloy barrel nuts. 

These ADs are effective November 8, 2024.