Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Inc. (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Model 205B helicopters. This AD was prompted by a notification of certain parts needing a life limit. This AD requires determining the total hours time-in-service (TIS) of certain part-numbered main rotor grip assemblies (grip assemblies), establishing a life limit for certain part-numbered grip assemblies, removing from service any grip assembly that has reached or exceeded its retirement life, creating a component history card, and removing any grip assembly from service before reaching its retirement life. This AD also prohibits installing certain grip assemblies unless the life limit was established in accordance with this AD. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.