COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 205/51
Amdt 1
Vertical Fin Spar Cap 3/88
Applicability: 212-030-447-001/-101. This will include S/No 30229 to 30332, as well as any earlier S/No helicopters which have had this P/No spar cap assembly installed subsequent to delivery.
Requirement: 1. Inspect in accordance with Part I of Bell Alert Service Bulletin No 205-86-23, original issue dated 26 June 1986. Revision A may not be used, notwithstanding the general provisions of paragraph 3.3 of ANO 105.
2. Repair discrepant spar cap assemblies in accordance with Part II of Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 205-86-23 (any issue).
Compliance: For Requirement 1: Within 20 hours time in service after 24 March 1988, but not later than 24 April 1988.
For Requirement 2: Within the next 200 hours time in service after 24 March 1988, but not later than 24 September 1988.
Background: Some spar cap assemblies P/No 212-030-447-001/-101 were milled outside tolerances, causing a reduction in the thickness of the spar cap. Fatigue cracking has been a problem even with conforming spar assemblies on similar models (212, 412), and any reduction in cap thickness will only increase the risk. This Amendment increases the serial number range for affected helicopters in line with Revision A to the ASB, but retains the 0.190 inch cap thickness lower limit of the original issue. A fatigue substantiation for the 0.155 inch limit contained in Rev A has not yet been received.