Airworthiness Directive 98-07-03
recurringAirworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 412 Helicopters and Agusta S.p.A. Model AB412 Helicopters
What this AD requires
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Model 412 helicopters and Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB412 helicopters. This action requires a temporary reduction of the never-exceed velocity (Vne) limitation until an inspection of the tail rotor yoke (yoke) assembly for fatigue damage and installation of a redesigned yoke flapping stop are accomplished. Recurring periodic and special inspections to detect occurrences of yoke overload are also required. This amendment is prompted by laboratory tests and engineering analyses that indicated that the yoke assembly is susceptible to fatigue damage due to unforeseen static and dynamic loading of the tail rotor against the original flapping stop. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of the yoke that could result in loss of control of the tail rotor and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Which aircraft AD 98-07-03 applies to
Applies to Bell 412 / Agusta AB412 (including AB412EP, 412CF) helicopters with tail rotor yoke P/N 212-011-702 (all dash numbers). Requires records review for prior bending-load incident history, interim 120-KIAS Vne redline/placard and RFM temporary revision, and within 180 calendar days replacement/inspection of the yoke (Bell ASB 412-96-89 Rev A, Bell ASB 412CF-96-01, or Agusta Bolletino Tecnico 412-65) plus installation of tail rotor flapping stop P/N 212-011-713-103.
Whether AD 98-07-03 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:
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.