AD/Bell 206/99 Amdt 4 Cyclic Control Stick Assembly (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the commencement date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below repeals Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 206/99 Amdt 3 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001 (1) of CASR and subsection 33 (3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct an 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 Leonardo Helicopters (Agusta) AB206 Series Helicopters

AD/BELL 206/99 Amdt 4 Cyclic Control Stick Assembly 4/2019

Applicability:

All models of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206A, 206B, 206B‑JRIII, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and Agusta Bell AB206A and AB206B helicopters.

Requirement:

1.    (a)   For all BHTC 206A, 206B, 206B‑JRIII, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 helicopters, inspect the helicopter data plate and determine the serial number of each helicopter.

(b)   If the inspection identifies any serial number listed in the applicability / affected helicopter section of BHTC Alert Service Bulletin 206-85-29 dated 21 June 1985, as in force at the date of commencement of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) or BHTC Alert Service Bulletin 206L-85-36 dated 21 June 1985, as in force at the date of commencement of this AD, as applicable, then carry out all the technical requirements of the applicable service bulletin.

2.    (a)   For all Bell 206A helicopters equipped with dual control kits Part Numbers 206-7-6-006-3, -5 and -7, carry out all the technical requirements of BHTC Alert Service Bulletin 206-85-29 dated 21 June 1985, as in force at the date of commencement of this AD.

(b)   For all Agusta Bell AB206A and AB206 helicopters and all Agusta Bell AB206A helicopters equipped with dual control kit part number 206‑706‑006 (all dash numbers), carry out all the technical requirements of Agusta Bell Service Bulletin 206-169 Revision A dated 11 December 1985, as in force at the date of commencement of this AD.

Compliance:

Unless previously accomplished, within 25 hours’ time in service after the commencement date of this AD and thereafter, for both BHTC and Agusta Bell helicopters, at intervals not to exceed every 600 hours’ time in service or 24 months, whichever occurs first.

This AD commences on 22 February 2019.

Background:

An incident has been reported of a cyclic control stick failing while the pilot was performing his pre-flight checks. The fracture, which occurred at the base of the stick tube has been attributed to low cycle fatigue and corrosion.

Amendment 2 of this AD was issued to include Agusta Bell AB206A and AB206B helicopters. Agusta Bell have followed BHTC Alert Service Bulletin 206-85-29, and have also called for a repetitive inspection which has been included to cover both Agusta Bell and Bell helicopters.

Amendment 3 of this AD was issued to clarify the applicability range affected by this AD. There were no additional technical requirements introduced by this amendment.

Amendment 4 is issued to further clarify the applicability section and to align the applicability of the AD with that of the requirement documents.

Pieter van Dijk
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

8 February 2019