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Airworthiness Directive 96-8384

recurring
AD 96-8384 · 1996-04-05 · airframe

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Model 214ST Helicopters

What this AD requires

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) Model 214ST helicopters with certain tailboom assemblies and a certain emergency float kit installed, that requires initial and repetitive inspections of the tailboom for cracks until modifications of the tailboom are accomplished. This amendment is prompted by several reports of cracks in the lower aft skin of the tailboom assembly. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent cracks in the tailboom assembly, which could result in structural failure of the tailboom and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Repetitive inspection. Re-inspect. The next-due date/hours depend on this aircraft’s time in service — a records report computes it from the logbooks.

Which aircraft AD 96-8384 applies to

MakesBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
Models214ST, 214

Within 250 hrs TIS or next 180-day float inspection, visually inspect tailboom assembly for cracks (repeat at each 180-day float inspection); modify tailboom per Part 2 of the SB upon crack discovery or within 500 hrs TIS after AD effective date, whichever first. Modification is terminating action. Per BHTI Alert SB 214ST-95-72.

Whether AD 96-8384 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 96-8384 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.