# AD 88-02-03: Main Rotor Yoke

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada 222, 222B and 222U
- Effective: November 28, 1989
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Rotorcraft
- Amendment: 39-6379
- Docket: 88-ASW-1
- Registered aircraft: 20 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/A7420964887F554B86256A4E004F2D6F.0001
- DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/88-02-03

## The airworthiness directive

88-02-03 BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON, INC. (BHTI): Amendment 39-6379. Final Rule of Priority Letter AD. Docket No. 88-ASW-1.

Applicability: All BHTI Model 222, 222B, and 222U helicopters certificated in any category, with main rotor (M/R) yoke, part number (P/N 222-011-102-101, installed.

Compliance: Required prior to further flight after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent failure of the M/R yoke which could result in loss of a M/R blade and subsequent loss of the helicopter, accomplish the following:

  (a) Visually inspect before the first flight of each day, the main rotor yoke for crack indications in the four (4) areas around the Flapping Bearing attachment bushings as shown in Figure 1. If a crack is detected, replace the M/R yoke prior to further flight.

NOTE: BHTI Service Bulletin Numbers 222U-88-20 or 222-88-46, dated January 14, 1988, pertain to these inspections.

  (b) An alternate method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time, which provides an equivalent level of safety, may be used when approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, ASW-170, FAA, 4400 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170.

  (c) In accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199, the helicopter may be flown to a base where the inspection may be accomplished.

This amendment (39-6379, AD 88-02-03) becomes effective on November 28, 1989, as to all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Priority Letter AD 88-02-03, issued on January 21, 1988, which contained this amendment.

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS H9SW](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/H9SW): Bell Textron Canada Limited; names 3 of 5 models: 222B, 222U, 222

## 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: 20 (20 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Bell 20

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Bell 222](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222): 15 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Bell 222B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222b): 3 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Bell 222U](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222u): 2 aircraft (airframe model)

All 3 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/88-02-03/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/88-02-03/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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