AD/Bell 222/35 Fuel Valve Switch (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) 222 Series Helicopters

AD/BELL 222/35 Fuel Valve Switch 6/2006 DM

Applicability:	Model 222, 222B and 222U helicopters.
Requirement:	Rewire the fuel valve switch, part number (P/N) 10648BH1-1, in accordance with the instructions provided in the Technical Bulletin 222-03-171 or 222U-03-96, both dated 11 June 2003, as applicable or later revisions approved by Chief, Continuing Airworthiness, Transport Canada.
Note:  Transport Canada AD CF-2006-03 refers.
Compliance:	No later than 10 May 2006.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 10 April 2006.
Background:	Transport Canada has advised that an investigation into a Bell 222 helicopter incident in the United States revealed that the fuel shut-off switch, P/N 10648BH1-1, failed in flight causing the fuel valve to close and the engine to shut down.  Although no failures have been reported in Australia, review of the Canadian Service Difficulty Report database identified two other incidents of switch failure.
To ensure the fuel supply is not interrupted as a result of a possible fuel valve switch failure, this Directive requires rewiring of the switch so that the fuel valve will stay open in the event of a fuel valve switch failure.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

4 April 2006