Is AD 2021-16222 a recurring Airworthiness Directive?

No — AD 2021-16222 is a one-time directive. Verify it was complied with in the aircraft's records.

Which aircraft does AD 2021-16222 apply to?

AD 2021-16222 applies to Bell Textron Inc. — models HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H. Serial/part conditions may narrow it to specific aircraft.

Airworthiness Directive 2021-16222

one-time

AD 2021-16222 · 2021-07-29 · airframe

Airworthiness Directives; Various Restricted Category Helicopters

What this AD requires

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various restricted category helicopters originally manufactured by Bell Textron Inc. This AD was prompted by a fatal accident in which an outboard main rotor hub strap pin (pin) sheared off during flight, resulting in the main rotor blade and the main rotor head detaching from the helicopter. This AD requires removing certain pins from service and prohibits installing those pins on any helicopter. The FAA previously sent an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these restricted category helicopters and is now issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Which aircraft AD 2021-16222 applies to

MakesBell Textron Inc.

ModelsHH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, UH-1P, UH-1

Part-conditional — 204-012-104-005.

Applies to various restricted category helicopters originally manufactured by Bell Textron Inc. (Bell), certificated in any category under type certificates subsequently held by Rotorcraft Development Corporation, Robinson Air Crane Inc., Tamarack Helicopters Inc., Overseas Aircraft Support Inc. (formerly JTBAM, Inc.), Richards Heavylift Helo Inc., International Helicopters Inc., Red Tail Flying Services LLC, Southwest Florida Aviation International Inc. (SW204/SW204HP/SW205 designations), WSH LLC (formerly San Joaquin Helicopters), Smith Helicopters, West Coast Fabrications, AST Inc., California Department of Forestry, Arrow Falcon Exporters Inc., Global Helicopter Technology Inc., Hagglund Helicopters LLC, JJASPP Engineering Services LLC, and Northwest Rotorcraft LLC. Applies only if an outboard main rotor hub strap pin P/N 204-012-104-005 with a serial number prefix 'FNFS' is installed.

Whether AD 2021-16222 actually applies to your aircraft (by serial and installed parts) and whether it’s already complied with comes from that aircraft’s records.

How AD compliance is recorded

A valid compliance record (14 CFR 43.9) states:

Method of compliance — The specific action taken (inspected, replaced, modified) and to what revision.

Date — When the work was done.

Aircraft time — Total time in service / tach at compliance — how recurring next-due is computed.

Signature & certificate — The A&P/IA who returned it to service, with certificate number.

Is AD 2021-16222 complied with on your aircraft?

Tailplate reads a tail number’s logbooks and matches every applicable AD — including this one — to its compliance evidence, with recurring next-due dates computed.

Look up a tail number →Read the full directive (Federal Register)

Applicability is derived from the FAA directive corpus and is advisory, not a legal airworthiness determination. Compliance is established only from an aircraft’s actual records.