AD/Bell 206/164 Vertical Fin Supports Inspection (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters

AD/BELL 206/164 Vertical Fin Supports - Inspection 11/2006

Applicability:

Agusta model AB206A and AB206B helicopters equipped with vertical fin supports Part Number 206-031-417-3/-7 or 206-031-418-1/-5.

Requirement:

Inspect the vertical fin supports Part Number 206-031-417-3/-7 or 206-031-418-1/-5 (depending on the components installed) in accordance with the instructions contained in Agusta Bolletino Tecnico 206-240.

Note:  EASA AD 2006-0275 refers.

Compliance:

At or before the next scheduled 100 hourly inspection or annual inspection (whichever first), but no later than 3 months from the effective date of this AD.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 26 October 2006.

Background:

There has been a report of an in flight separation of the vertical fin due to the failure of the fin supports.  The preliminary analysis revealed that the failure (cracking) originated at the fin support attachment bolt holes.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

14 September 2006