ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN 214ST-13-90

PSL 7000000006

23 January 2013

Revision A, 25 March 2013

MODEL AFFECTED: 214ST

SUBJECT: P/N 214-040-606-005/-101 TAIL ROTOR HANGER 

BEARING, INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF

HELICOPTERS AFFECTED: Serial numbers 28101 through 28200.

COMPLIANCE: PART 1 (Inspection):

Within 25 flight hours following receipt of this ASB 

and every 10 flight hours thereafter until defective 

bearings can be replaced.

PART 2 (Replacement): 

Within the next 500 flight hours after receipt 

of this ASB, but no later than 31 December 2013

DESCRIPTION:

Revision A changes the Part 2 compliance.

Bell Helicopter has been notified by its supplier that all P/N 214-040-606-005/-101 

bearings delivered to Bell Helicopter between May 2011 and June 2012 were 

manufactured with the wrong seal material. This seal material does not meet the Bell 

operating/environmental temperature specifications and under extreme conditions 

could result in seal failure and grease loss. Defective bearings can be identified by a 

black colored seal. Bearings with the correct seal material will have a red/orange to 

brown colored seal. 

Part 1 of this bulletin requires an inspection of all installed bearings within 25 flight 

hours and a recurring inspection of each defective bearing every 10 flight hours 

thereafter until the bearing can be replaced. Part 2 requires replacement of all 

defective bearings within 500 flight hours but not later than 31 December 2013.

ASB 214ST-13-90A

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ECCN EAR99
Applicability of this bulletin to any spare part shall be determined prior to its installation 

on an affected aircraft.

APPROVAL:

The engineering design aspects of this bulletin are FAA/ODA approved.

CONTACT INFO:

For any questions regarding this bulletin, please contact:

Bell Helicopter Product Support Engineering - Medium Military Helicopters

Tel: 817-280-3548 / mts-medium@bh.com

MANPOWER:

Approximately 2.5 man-hours are required to complete Part 1 of this bulletin. 

Approximately 3.0 man-hours per bearing hanger assembly are required to complete 

Part 2 of this bulletin.

These estimates are based on hands-on time, and may vary with personnel and 

facilities available.

WARRANTY:

Owners / Operators of Bell Helicopters who comply with the instructions in this Bulletin 

and identify bearings either installed on aircraft or in stock will be eligible to receive a 

credit for a replacement bearing.

To receive this credit: 

• Comply with the instructions contained in this Bulletin no later 

than the applicable hours or no later than date in the “compliance 

section” of this ASB.

• Purchase replacement parts as required in the materials section 

of this bulletin from a Bell approved source.

• Submit an MMIR to the Bell Warranty Department. 

Customers who fail to comply with the instructions in this Bulletin before the 

compliance hours or date 31 December 2013 are not eligible for the special warranty 

credit listed above. There is no labor associated with this bulletin.

MATERIAL:

Required Material:

ASB 214ST-13-90A

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ECCN EAR99
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

214-040-606-101 Bearing AR

Consumable Material:

The following material is required to accomplish this bulletin, but may not require 

ordering, depending on the operator’s consumable material stock levels. This material 

may be obtained through your Bell Helicopter Textron Supply Center.

Part Number Nomenclature Qty Reference *

AS3209-235 Packing AR

AS3209-237 Packing AR

Mobil 28 Grease AR C-001

204-040-755-005 Tube Pack AR C-015

* C-XXX numbers refer to the consumables list in BHT-ALL-SPM Standard Practices Manual

SPECIAL TOOLS:

None required.

WEIGHT AND BALANCE:

Not affected.

ELECTRICAL LOAD DATA:

Not affected.

REFERENCES:

BHT-214ST-IPB Illustrated Parts Breakdown

BHT-214ST-MM Maintenance Manual

BHT-214ST-CR&O Component Repair and Overhaul Manual

PUBLICATIONS AFFECTED:

None affected.

ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

PART 1 - INSPECTION

ASB 214ST-13-90A

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ECCN EAR99
1. Inspect all P/N 214-040-606-005/-101 Bearings, installed on the helicopter, in 

spare hanger bearing assemblies, or stocked as individual spares for defective 

seals as noted below and shown in Figure 1:

a. The correct seal material will have a red/orange to brown color. As necessary, 

gently wipe the face of the seal with a clean cloth to remove any dried grease or 

dirt. Inspect both sides of the bearing. 

b. Incorrect seal material will have a black color. 

2. Bearings with the correct seal material (red/orange to brown in color) are 

acceptable and may be continued in service without further action.

3. Bearings with the wrong seal material (black) are to be disposed of as follows:

a. Bearings installed on the helicopter:

(1) Inspect each bearing with black seals for leakage/slung grease and/or 

evidence of damage to the bearing.

(a) Grease leakage and/or evidence of bearing damage requires the bearing 

to be removed from service before further flight.

(b) If there is no evidence of grease leakage or bearing damage, the bearing 

may be continued in service subject to a visual inspection each 10 flight 

hours until replacement of the bearing is accomplished in accordance 

with Part 2. Inspect per paragraph 3.a.(1) above.

(2) Installed bearings with black colored seals which subsequently exhibit 

grease leakage, slung grease, or damaged bearings must be removed from 

service before further flight.

b. Bearings with black seals installed on spare hanger bearing assemblies must 

be replaced prior to installation of the hanger assembly on the helicopter. 

c. Individual spare bearings with black colored seals may not be installed. 

Bearings in un-opened, original, Bell packaging should be returned to Bell for 

recycling. Contact Bell Helicopter Warranty Administration for return 

information.

PART 2 - REPLACEMENT

1. All installed bearings with defective seals must be replaced within 500 flight hours 

after receipt of this ASB or by 31 December 2013, whichever occurs first.

2. Refer to 214ST Maintenance and Component Repair and Overhaul Manuals for 

replacement procedures. 

ASB 214ST-13-90A

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ECCN EAR99
BEARING SEALS MADE WITH THE CORRECT MATERIAL

WILL HAVE A RED/ORANGE TO BROWN COLOR

BEARING SEALS MADE WITH THE INCORRECT MATERIAL

WILL HAVE A BLACK COLOR

FIGURE 1

ASB 214ST-13-90A

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ECCN EAR99