Is AD 97-15-16 a recurring Airworthiness Directive?

No — AD 97-15-16 is a one-time directive. Verify it was complied with in the aircraft's records.

Which aircraft does AD 97-15-16 apply to?

AD 97-15-16 applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada — models 430. Serial/part conditions may narrow it to specific aircraft.

Airworthiness Directive 97-15-16

one-time

Official AD 97-15-16 · FR doc 97-26623 · 1997-10-09 · airframe

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 Helicopters

What this AD requires

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-15-16, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of BHTC Model 430 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires inspections of all 4 main rotor adapter assemblies for evidence of flapping contact between the adapter liners and the upper stop assembly plugs, and for evidence of lead-lag contact between the adapter pads and the yoke assembly; installing a never-exceed-velocity (VNE) placard; marking the airspeed indicator to reflect the airspeed restriction; installing a slippage mark on the airspeed indicator glass and instrument case; and inserting revisions to the rotorcraft flight manual to reflect the airspeed revision. This amendment is prompted by a report of a main rotor tip path plane separation, which occurred during a ferry flight at an airspeed of more than 140 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS). The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent tip path plane separation, increased vibrations, possible damage to the main rotor system, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Which aircraft AD 97-15-16 applies to

MakesBell Helicopter Textron Canada

Models430

Part-conditional — 430-075-208-107, 430-075-208-109.

Main rotor adapter inspection for flapping/lead-lag contact damage per BHTC Alert Service Bulletin 430-97-2 (July 11, 1997); VNE placard replacement, airspeed indicator red arc/slippage mark, and RFM temporary revisions BHT-430-FM-1/FMS-1 required.

Whether AD 97-15-16 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 97-15-16 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.