AD/Bell 206/178 Flight Control Bearings (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 206/178 Flight Control Bearings 10/2009 TX

Applicability:

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Helicopter Models as listed in Table 1 of this AD.

Table 1

Model	Serial Number
206A	004 through 660 and 672 through 715
206B	Converted from Model 206A, all serial numbers
206B	Serial number 661 through 671 and 716 through 4661, 4663 through 4665, 4667 and 4670
206L	Serial number 45004 through 45153 and 46601 through 46617
206L-1	Serial number 45154 through 45790
206L-3	Serial number 51001 through 51612
206L-4	Serial number 52001 through 52389, 52391 and 52393

Requirement:

Perform a one-time inspection and, if required, rectification of the affected parts as per Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Alert Service Bulletin (listed in Table 2) dated 7 April 2009, or later revisions approved by the Chief, Continuing Airworthiness, Transport Canada.

Table 2

206A, 206B	206-09-122
206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4	206L-09-156

Note:  Transport Canada AD CF-2009-32 dated 24 July 2009 refers.

Compliance:

Within the next 10 flight hours, but not later than 30 calendar days from the effective day of this AD, unless already accomplished.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 14 August 2009.

Background:

It has been determined that some bearings may not have been staked as required. Consequently, the functionality of affected parts may be limited.  This situation, if not corrected, could lead to loss of control of the helicopter.

BHTC Operational Safety Notice OSN GEN-09-38 dated 7 April 2009 provides further information on this subject.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

12 August 2009