COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 206/129
Amdt 1
Main Landing Gear Cross Tubes 9/95 DM
Applicability: All Bell and Agusta Bell 206A, 206B and 206C series.
Requirement: Remove from service, and permanently mark as unserviceable, the cross tube assemblies as follows:
a. BHTI P/Nos. 206-050-107, 206-050-119, 2060-50-134, 206-050-157, 206-050-
169, 206-053-109, 206-053-119 and 206-053-129, (all dash numbers); or
b. Airborne Supply Inc. P/Nos AB206-050-107, AB206-050-119, AB206-053-
109, (all dash numbers); or
c. unidentified assemblies.
Note: FAA AD 95-11-14 and Bell Alert Service Bulletins 206-94-78, 206-94-81, 206- 94-82, 206-94-83, 206L-94-93, 206L-94-97 and 206L-94-98 refer.
Compliance: Prior to 30 September 1995.
Background: A number of Bell 206 cross tubes have failed, or nearly failed, in Australia and overseas. Some failures have resulted in roll-overs causing serious injury and extensive damage. The cracking that causes failure is unpredictable and hard to detect before safety is compromised.
Amendment 1 aligns the requirements of the Australian Directive with those of the FAA by deleting the eddy current inspection, deleting reference to an approved inspection scheme, and mandating a later terminating action compliance date.