# AD 75-06-03: Pitch Link Assembly - Type: Airworthiness directive - Status: Current - Products: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206A, 206A-1 (OH-58A), 206B and 206B-1 - Effective: October 20, 1975 - Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD - Product type: Aircraft, Rotorcraft - Amendment: 39-2386 - Registered aircraft: 861 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs) - FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/F27EAC228A3C890086256E0D004DF4FC.0001 - DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/75-06-03 ## The airworthiness directive 75-06-03 BELL: Amendment 39-2122 as amended by Amendment 39-2146 and 39-2350 is further amended by Amendment 39-2386. Applies to Bell Models 206A, 206B, 206A-1, and 206B-1 helicopters, certificated in all categories, equipped with pitch link assemblies, P/N 206- 010-330 or 206-010-342. Compliance required within 10 hours' time in service after March 12, 1975, unless already accomplished. To detect possible fatigue cracks in each main rotor pitch link assembly, upper and lower clevis, accomplish the following. a. Remove each main rotor blade pitch link assembly from the helicopter and measure the distance between the bolt holes. Remove the upper and lower clevis from each pitch link assembly in accordance with Bell Model 206A or 206B maintenance and overhaul instructions. b. Inspect the threaded shank of each clevis using fluorescent penetrant or an equivalent inspection method. c. Replace each clevis that has a cracked shank before further flight. d. Assemble the pitch link assemblies in accordance with the Model 206A or 206B maintenance and overhaul instructions and set the pitch link assembly to the appropriate length measured in paragraph (a) of this AD. e. Determine that each bearing, P/N 206-010-469-1, installed in the swashplate outer ring horns has a breakaway force that does not exceed 10 pounds when measured as specified in the Mailgram dated February 15, 1975, from Bell Helicopter Company to all 206A, 206B, and TH57A operators or as specified in an FAA approved equivalent procedure. f. Replace each swashplate outer ring horn bearing, P/N 206-010-469-1, that exceeds 10 pounds breakaway force measured in paragraph (e) of this AD, prior to further flight, in accordance with procedures specified in Section XIV of the Bell Model 206A or 206B maintenance and overhaul instructions dated November 1, 1972, or later revision, or as specified in an equivalent procedure approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Flight Standards Division, Southwest Region, Federal Aviation Administration. g. Install the pitch link assemblies in accordance with the Bell Model 206A or 206B maintenance and overhaul instructions. h. This AD does not apply to the main rotor pitch link assemblies, P/N 206-010- 355. The manufacturer's specifications and procedures identified and described in this directive are incorporated herein and made a part hereof pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1). All persons affected by this directive who have not already received these documents from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to the Service Manager, Bell Helicopter Company, P. O. Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas 76101. These documents may also be examined at the Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, FAA, 4400 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth, Texas, and at FAA Headquarters, 800 Independence Avenue, S. W., Washington, D.C. A historical file on this AD which includes the incorporated material in full is maintained by the FAA at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at the Southwest Regional Office in Fort Worth, Texas. Amendment 39-2122 became effective March 12, 1975. Amendment 39-2146 became effective March 19, 1975. Amendment 39-2350 became effective October 2, 1975. This amendment 39-2386 becomes effective October 20, 1975. ## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs) The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names. - [TCDS H2SW](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/H2SW): Bell Textron Canada Limited; names 4 of 12 models: 206B, 206A, 206B-1, 206A-1 (OH-58A) ## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs) Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment. - Aircraft: 861 (861 by airframe model, 0 by engine model) - Makers: Bell 822, Bell Helicopter Textron 29, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 10 Models with the most aircraft: - [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b): 790 aircraft (airframe model) - [Bell Helicopter Textron 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206b): 29 aircraft (airframe model) - [Bell 206A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206a): 23 aircraft (airframe model) - [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-canada-206b): 10 aircraft (airframe model) - [Bell 206A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206a-1): 6 aircraft (airframe model) - [Bell 206B II](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b-ii): 3 aircraft (airframe model) All 6 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/75-06-03/models.md Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/75-06-03/aircraft.md Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.