# AD 81-19-02: Main Rotor Yoke

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Historical
- Products: Bell Helicopter Textron 204B, 205A, 205A-1 and 205B
- Effective: September 30, 1981
- Superseded by: [AD 2012-17-08](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2012-17-08)
- Product type: Aircraft, Rotorcraft
- Amendment: 39-4208
- Docket: 81-ASW-40
- Registered aircraft: 67 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/3B7AA7E1BEB95DA386256A4E00578359.0001
- DRS record last changed: August 7, 2025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-19-02

## The airworthiness directive

81-19-02 BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON (BHT): Amendment 39-4208. Applies to all Model 204 and 205 series helicopters certified in all categories (Airworthiness Docket No. 81-ASW-40).

To prevent possible failure of main rotor yoke Part Number 204-011-102 (all dash numbers), accomplish the following:

a. Unless Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 204-81-11 or 205-81-16, as applicable, has previously been complied with, within 10 days after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive:

  (1) Create a component history card for yoke Part Number 204-011-102 (all dash numbers).

  (2) Record the operating time accumulated on the yoke. If the previous operating time cannot be determined, enter 2,400 hours.

  (3) Retire yokes with more than 3,300 hours' time on the compliance date of this AD prior to obtaining an additional 300 hours.

  (4) Retire yokes with less than 3,300 hours' time on the compliance date of the AD on or before attaining 3,600 hours.

b. The 3,600-hour life shall continue in effect on all Part Number 204-011-102 yokes.

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 requirements of this AD may be accomplished.

This amendment becomes effective September 30, 1981.

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS H1SW](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/H1SW): Bell Textron Inc.; names 4 of 5 models: 205A, 205B, 204B, 205A-1

## 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: 67 (67 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Bell 64, Bell/Southwest Florida Aviatio 2, Bell Helicopter Textron 1

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Bell 205A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-205a-1): 56 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Bell 204-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-204-b): 7 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Bell/Southwest Florida Aviatio 205 A1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-southwest-florida-aviatio-205-a1): 2 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Bell 205B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-205b): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Bell Helicopter Textron 205A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-205a-1): 1 aircraft (airframe model)

All 5 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-19-02/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-19-02/aircraft.md

## Related documents

- [AD 2012-17-08](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2012-17-08): Main Rotor Head · Bell Helicopter Textron 204B, 205A, 205A-1 and 2 more. Effective Feb 27, 2013. Supersedes this AD

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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