Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 204B, 205A, A-1, and B Helicopters

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) 2002-09-51, sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of specified Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) model helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires cleaning and inspecting the tail rotor (T/R) grip to determine if the grip is made of steel and replacing any grip not made of steel with an airworthy, steel TR grip. This AD is prompted by reports of a certain timed-out life limited T/R grips being improperly identified and reinstalled on Bell Model 204B, 205A, A-1, and B helicopters. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the T/R grip and subsequent loss of helicopter control.