Jet/Long Ranger/206
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 6000; Flight Crew Type 5900
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
It was discovered by my relief pilot during his pre-flight that one of the upper pitch change link bolts was installed backwards; with a proper safety. It was installed from outside to inside; instead of inside to outside with the bolt head on the inside to work with centrifugal force. After discussing with maintenance; it does not specify in the maintenance manual which direction to place bolt; but it is good practice for it to be installed from the inside out. Aircraft was taken out of service and bolt was placed in the direction that good practice would dictate.I had not noticed it on my previous pre-flights and I had conducted four Part 135 flights with it installed in this alternate position. I did verify on my pre-flights that the pitch change bolts where safety'd but did not recognize that one was installed in an alternate direction.
Bell 206 Captain reported finding pitch change link bolt improperly installed during pre-flight.