+-----------------------------------------------------+---+-------------+
| UNAPPROVED PARTS\                                   |   | ![](me      |
| NOTIFICATION                                        |   | dia/image1. |
|                                                     |   | png){width= |
| SUSPECTED UNAPPROVED PARTS PROGRAM OFFICE, AVS-20   |   | "0.72986111 |
|                                                     |   | 11111111in" |
| 13873 PARK CENTER ROAD, SUITE 165                   |   | height="    |
|                                                     |   | 0.741666666 |
| HERNDON, VA 20171                                   |   | 6666667in"} |
|                                                     |   |             |
|                                                     |   | U.S.        |
|                                                     |   | Department  |
|                                                     |   |             |
|                                                     |   | of          |
|                                                     |   | Tra         |
|                                                     |   | nsportation |
|                                                     |   |             |
|                                                     |   | **Federal   |
|                                                     |   | Aviation**  |
|                                                     |   |             |
|                                                     |   | **Admin     |
|                                                     |   | istration** |
|                                                     |   |             |
|                                                     |   | *No.        |
|                                                     |   | 2006-00097* |
|                                                     |   |             |
|                                                     |   | *January    |
|                                                     |   | 18, 2007*   |
+-----------------------------------------------------+---+-------------+

***http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/programs/sups/upn/***

## AFFECTED PRODUCTS

Bell Helicopter Textron models 204, 205, 212, and UH-1 (all makes).

**PURPOSE**

The purpose of this notification is to advise aircraft owners,
operators, manufacturers, maintenance organizations, and parts suppliers
and distributors regarding tail rotor hanger bearings produced without
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) production approval.

**BACKGROUND**

Information received during an FAA suspected unapproved parts
investigation revealed that Hill Industries, Inc. (Hill), 19734 Dearborn
Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311, sold unapproved tail rotor hanger
bearings. Hill also represented the bearings as Bell Helicopter Textron
approved.

Evidence indicates that Hill, without Bell Helicopter Textron approval,
electro-etched two different Bell Helicopter Textron part numbers on the
unapproved bearings. The two part numbers are

204-040-623-003 and 204-040-623-005. However, some bearings are marked
with both part numbers, and others are marked with 204-040-623-3 and/or
204-040-623-5.

**RECOMMENDATIONS**

Regulations require that type-certificated products conform to their
type design. Aircraft owners, operators, manufacturers, maintenance
organizations, and parts suppliers and distributors are encouraged to
inspect their aircraft and/or parts inventories for the referenced part
numbers. If these bearings are found in existing inventory, it is
recommended that they be quarantined to prevent installation until a
determination can be made regarding their origin and eligibility for
installation.

**FURTHER INFORMATION**

Further information concerning this investigation may be obtained from
the FAA Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO) listed below. In
addition to the above recommendations, the FAA would appreciate any
information concerning the discovery of the above-referenced bearings
from any source, the means used to identify the source, and the actions
taken to remove the bearings from aircraft and/or parts inventories.

This notice originated from the FAA Van Nuys MIDO, 7120 Hayvenhurst
Ave., Suite 100, Van Nuys, CA 91406, telephone (818) 904-6298, ext. 34,
fax (818) 904-6001; and was published through the FAA Suspected
Unapproved Parts Program Office, AVS-20, telephone (703) 668-3720, fax

\(703\) 481-3002.