# AD 81-12-03: Spindle Retention Bolts

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Bell Helicopter Textron 214B, 214B-1 and 214ST
- Effective: June 11, 1981
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Rotorcraft
- Amendment: 39-4125
- Docket: 81-ASW-24
- Registered aircraft: 30 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/A4B1D9794E15E46986256A4E00576EAC.0001
- DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-12-03

## The airworthiness directive

81-12-03 BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON (BHT): Amendment 39-4125. Applies to all Model 214 series helicopters certified in all categories (Airworthiness Docket No. 81-ASW- 24).

To prevent possible failure of main rotor spindle attachment pin retention bolts, P/N EWB26-10H90, accomplish the following:

  (a) Unless Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 214-81-17 has been previously complied with, within the next 50 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD:

  (1) Remove and inspect each of the four main rotor spindle attachment pin retention bolts, P/N EWB26-10H90, for evidence of corrosion.

  (2) Replace all bolts exceeding 1,200 hours' time in service or showing evidence of corrosion.

  (3) When installing the bolts, assure that each bolt is installed using corrosion prevention compound MIL-C-16173 grade 1 or 2 or equivalent on the shank of the bolt. Wipe threads clean prior to installing the nuts. Torque the nut to 150 foot-pounds.

  (b) Bolts, P/N EWB26-10H90, now have a 1,200 hour retirement. Record the 1,200 hour retirement life in the aircraft records.

  (c) Any equivalent method of compliance with this AD must be approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Flight Standards Division, Southwest Region, Federal Aviation Administration.

  (d) In accordance with FAR 21.197, flight is permitted to a base where the inspection and repairs required by this AD may be accomplished.

This amendment becomes effective June 11, 1981.

## Affected data sheets (2) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS H6SW](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/H6SW): McDermott 214 Holdings, LLC; names 2 of 2 models: 214B, 214B-1
- [TCDS H10SW](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/H10SW): McDermott 214 Holdings, LLC; names 1 of 1 models: 214ST

## 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: 30 (30 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Bell 29, Bell Helicopter Textron 1

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Bell 214ST](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-214st): 18 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Bell 214B-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-214b-1): 9 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Bell 214B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-214b): 2 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Bell Helicopter Textron 214ST](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-214st): 1 aircraft (airframe model)

All 4 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-12-03/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-12-03/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.