INFORMATION LETTER 412-20-88

412CF-20-37
20 August 2020

TO: All owners and operators of Model 412 helicopters.

SUBJECT: MAIN TRANSMISSION SUPPORT CASE, MOUNTS AND FRICTION

DAMPERS NEW INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS.

Bell occasionally receives reports of main transmission support cases found cracked at
one of the lateral mounts. Cracking is usually caused by excessive corrosion of the
surface under the washer and originates from a washer attachment screw threaded hole.
Cracking can occur at the upper or lower surfaces of the lateral mount. The pictures on
Page 2 show an example of a case found cracked during routine maintenance. To
mitigate the risk of cracking due to corrosion, this Information Letter (IL) informs
owners/operators of a new support case inspection requirement that has been
incorporated in the 412 Maintenance Manual (MM) Chapter 5.

At the 3000 Hour Special Inspection of the transmission and at the 6000 Hour Overhaul,
the washers installed on the upper and the lower surfaces of the support case must be
removed for inspection of the case and the washers. The Component Repair & Overhaul
Manual (CR&O) has also been revised to include washer removal and installation
instructions as well as corrosion damage limits for the affected area.

In addition to these main transmission inspection requirement changes, a new 3000

Hours or 5 Years of operation Special Inspection is introduced to require the removal of
the transmission mounts and the friction dampers for detailed inspection. It has been
established that excessively damaged mounts and/or friction dampers could contribute to
the ground vibration mode discussed in OSN 412-18-43 and increase the loads on the
support case.

IL 412-20-88, 412CF-20-37
Page 1 of 2
Approved for public release.
For any questions regarding this letter, please contact:

Bell Product Support Engineering

Tel: 1-450-437-2862 / 1-800-363-8023 / productsupport@bellflight.com

IL 412-20-88, 412CF-20-37
Page 2 of 2
Approved for public release.