Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 212 Helicopters

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-11-15, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) Model 212 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires inspecting the trunnion assembly or tail rotor flapping stop (flapping stop), whichever is applicable, installing a trunnion assembly or flapping stop, if necessary; and replacing the tail rotor yoke (yoke). This amendment is prompted by an accident involving a BHTI Model 205A-1 helicopter in which the yoke failed during flight. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of the yoke, loss of the tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.