AD/BELL 206/162 Main Rotor Blade Grip Plate Tang 2/2006DM

Applicability: Model AB 206A/B helicopters equipped with main rotor blades part number 206-010-200-(all dash numbers) having a serial number with the prefix A-xxxx; except the following serial numbers:
A-3586, A-3915, A-4044, A-4087, A-4095, A-4130, A-4132, A-4133, A-4134, A-4135, A-4137, A-4143, A-4145, A-4146, A-4147, A-4150, A-4154, A-4155, A-4157, A-4163, A-4167, A-4174, A-4175, A-4179, A-4202, A-4206, A-4217, A-4221, A-4224, A-4277, A-4302, A-4363, A-4366, A-4375, A-4398, A-4400, A-4403, A-4411, A-4414, A-4423, A-4446, A-4497, A-4503, A-5714, and subsequent serial numbers.

Requirement: Action in accordance with Agusta Technical Bulletin No. 206-239, dated 7 September 2005.
Note: ENAC AD 2005-406 refers.

Compliance: Within 50 flight hours after 13 December 2005 or before 31 January 2006, whichever occurs first. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 December 2005.

Background: Reports were received of tool mark damage discovered on the affected main rotor blades. The tool marks are on the edges of the grip plate tangs and had resulted from manufacture. Undetected tool marks could lead to cracking of the grip plate tang.

FMI: http://casa.gov.au/airworth/airwd/ADfiles/Rotor/BELL206/BELL206-162.pdf