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 39.1 (1) of CAR 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 206/150 Engine to Transmission Shaft 7/2002

Applicability: Bell 206L-4 helicopters serial numbers 52001 through 52262.

Requirement: 1. Review the engine to transmission drive shaft, part number (P/N) 206-340-300- 105, service records in accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) Number 206L-01-123 dated 12 October 2001.

For drive shafts identified as not having been previously installed in a Bell 407 helicopter; following the certification for compliance with this Directive in the helicopter log book, no further action is required.

2. Replace engine to transmission drive shafts, part number (P/N) 206-340-300-105, identified as having been previously installed in a Bell 407 helicopter;

Note: Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-2002-03R2 refers.

Compliance: 1. Record inspection: Within 50 hours time in service or at next aircraft periodic inspection, whichever occurs first.

2. Shaft replacement: With a revised effective date of 11 July 2002, remove engine to transmission drive shafts, identified as having been installed in a Bell 407 helicopter, in accordance with the compliance schedule detailed in Bell Helicopter Textron ASB 206L-01-123.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 July 2002.

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters

AD/BELL 206/150 (Continued)

Background: This Directive has been issued to ensure engine to transmission drive shafts part number (P/N) 206-340-300-105 installed in Bell 206L-4 helicopters have not been previously installed in a Bell 407 model helicopter. The requirement is in response to the results of an investigation of an in- flight failure of a Bell 407 drive shaft. The shaft has failed from fatigue cracks in the shaft forward flex frame. The investigation determined; when installed in the Bell 407, the shaft is subjected to higher loads than in the Bell 206L-4.

James Coyne

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 28 May 2002

The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 June 2002.