ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN 412-14-160
2 September 2014
Revision A, 13 December 2017
Revision B, 30 April 2019
MODEL AFFECTED: 412/412EP
SUBJECT: MAIN ROTOR DRIVE, ENGINE-TO-
TRANSMISSION DRIVE SHAFT RETAINING NUTS
INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT OF.
HELICOPTERS AFFECTED: Part I: Serial numbers 33001 through 33213, 34001
through 34036, 36001 through 36019.
Part II: Serial numbers 36020 through 36999,
37002 through 37045 and helicopters serial
numbers 33001 through 33213, 34001 through
34036, 36001 through 36019 with upgrade kit 412-
704-052 installed per BHT-412-SI-74 or modified in
accordance with drawing 412-570-001 or 412-706-
100 (412SP to HP upgrade).
[Serial number 37046 and subsequent will have the
intent of this bulletin accomplished prior to delivery.]
COMPLIANCE: Part I: Provided the installed MS21042 main drive
shaft retaining nuts are from a Bell Helicopter
approved supplier, no later than 600 flight hours or 12
months whichever occurs first after the release date of
revision A of this bulletin.
If the installed MS21042 main drive shaft retaining
nuts are not from a Bell Helicopter approved supplier,
no later than 25 flight hours or 30 days whichever
occurs first after the release date of revision A of this
bulletin.
ASB 412-14-160B
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Export Classification C, ECCN EAR99
Approved for public release.
Part II: Within the next 600 flight hours or 12 months
whichever occurs first after the release date of revision
B of this bulletin.
DESCRIPTION:
An occurrence reported to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) indicating that
two nuts (P/N MS21042) attaching the flexible coupling to the coupling drive adapter of
the main driveshaft were found cracked during a scheduled inspection.
If left undetected, this condition could lead to an unsecure loss of attachment between
the drive shaft coupling and the drive adapter. In an extreme case; if all attaching nuts
were found cracked, a loss of transmission drive from the engine and reduced ability to
control the helicopter could occur. As a result of this reported occurrence, EASA
released the Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2014-0118-E.
The original release of this Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) mandated a one-time inspection
of the MS21042 nuts for condition and, if required, replacement with MS21042 nuts from
a Bell approved supplier. The installation of MS21042 nuts from a Bell approved supplier
was considered as an acceptable short-term corrective action to address the issue.
Although the risk of MS21042 nuts cracking is reduced by having a better source
control, it was established that the possibility of cracking due to hydrogen embrittlement
still existed.
Revision A of this bulletin was released to clarify the requirement for the main drive shaft
and main drive shaft attaching nuts. For helicopters listed in the “Helicopters Affected”
block Part I, the Revision A of this bulletin mandated the replacement of main drive
shaft attaching nuts MS21042L5 with nuts NAS9926-5L. Currently, the Illustrated Parts
Breakdown (IPB) shows the MS21042L5 as being replaced by the NAS9926-5L. The
NAS9926 (cadmium plated) corrosion resistant 12-point nuts with solid film lubricant are
not susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement.
For helicopters listed in the “Helicopters Affected” block Part II, the NAS9926 nut
cannot be used due to insufficient clearance between the drive shaft flexible coupling
and the nut. For this reason, the original release and the Revision A of this bulletin stated
that only MS21042 nuts procured from a Bell approved supplier were authorized. When
the general Illustrated Parts Breakdown (IPB) supersession took place, the IPB
incorrectly showed the MS21042L4 as being replaced by the NAS9926-4L. Revision A
also indicated that Bell would introduce in another revision of this bulletin, a new Bell
standard nut as a direct replacement to the MS21042 for the main drive shaft and main
drive shaft installation.
Revision B of this bulletin only affects the helicopters listed in the “Helicopters
Affected” block Part II. The new Bell standard nut discussed in the Revision A of this
bulletin is now available as P/N 90-132L4. Due to the general supersession that took
place in the Illustrated Parts Breakdown (IPB), it is possible that some operators
ASB 412-14-160B
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Export Classification C, ECCN EAR99
Approved for public release.
installed NAS9926-4L nuts as a replacement to the MS21042L4 nuts on the main drive
shaft or at the drive coupling to main drive shaft attachment. This bulletin Revision B
mandates the replacement of all MS21042 or NAS9926 nuts used in the main drive
shaft assembly and main drive shaft installation with the new Bell standard 6 flat nut
P/N 90-132L4. The Bell standard 90-132 nut is physically similar to the MS21042 nut
except that the 90-132 part number is marked at the base of the nut.
It is possible that some helicopters, 37002 through 37045, could have been delivered
with nuts 90-132L4 nuts installed on the main drive shaft. In this case, those nuts
marked with the part number 90-132 can remain installed. The IPB will be revised to
show the 90-132L4 nut as a replacement to the MS21042 for the helicopters affected at
the main drive shaft assembly and main drive shaft installation locations.
APPROVAL:
The engineering design aspects of this bulletin are FAA approved for FAA certified
helicopters as listed in the applicable Type Certificate Data Sheet. For non FAA certified
helicopters, the engineering design aspects of this bulletin are Bell Helicopter
Engineering approved.
CONTACT INFO:
For any questions regarding this bulletin, please contact:
Bell Product Support Engineering
MEDIUM Tel: 450-437-6201 / 1-800-363-8028 / productsupport@bellflight.com
MANPOWER:
No additional man hours are required to accomplish the Revision B of this bulletin if
accomplished during scheduled main drive shaft removal.
WARRANTY:
There is no warranty credit applicable for parts or labor associated with this bulletin.
MATERIAL:
Required Material:
The following material is required for the accomplishment of this bulletin and may be
obtained through your Bell Helicopter Textron Supply Center.
Part Number Nomenclature Qty (Note)
NAS9926-5L Nut 12 (1)
ASB 412-14-160B
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Export Classification C, ECCN EAR99
Approved for public release.
90-132L4 Nut 24 (2)
NOTES:
1. Required only for helicopters listed in the “Helicopters Affected” block for Part I.
2. Required only for helicopters listed in the “Helicopters Affected” block for Part II.
Consumable Material:
None required.
SPECIAL TOOLS:
None required.
WEIGHT AND BALANCE:
Not affected.
ELECTRICAL LOAD DATA:
Not affected.
REFERENCES:
BHT-412-MM Maintenance Manual
PUBLICATIONS AFFECTED:
BHT-412-IPB Illustrated Parts Breakdown, Chapter 63
BHT-412-MM Maintenance Manual, Chapter 63
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
-NOTE-
Revision B of this bulletin is not applicable to Part I.
Part I: Replacement of the MS21042 nuts with the NAS9926 nuts.
1. Gain access to the main drive shaft assembly and replace the main drive shaft
attaching nuts (Figure 1) MS21042L5 with NAS9926-5L nuts (BHT-412-MM).
2. Make an entry in the helicopter logbook and historical service records indicating
compliance with this Alert Service Bulletin.
ASB 412-14-160B
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Export Classification C, ECCN EAR99
Approved for public release.
Part II: Installation of 90-132L4 nuts.
1. Gain access to the main drive shaft and replace the currently installed main drive
shaft and main drive shaft attaching MS21042L4 or NAS9926-4L nuts (Figure 2,
items 1, 7 and 12) with nuts P/N 90-132L4 (BHT-412-MM).
2. Make an entry in the helicopter logbook and historical service records indicating
compliance with this Alert Service Bulletin Revision B.
ASB 412-14-160B
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Export Classification C, ECCN EAR99
Approved for public release.
Figure 1. Main drive shaft attaching nuts (Part I).
ASB 412-14-160B
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Export Classification C, ECCN EAR99
Approved for public release.
Figure 2. Main drive shaft attaching nuts (Part II).
ASB 412-14-160B
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Export Classification C, ECCN EAR99
Approved for public release.
