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.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive (AD) in 2002 to address safety concerns related to the installation of engine to transmission drive shafts in Bell 206L-4 helicopters. This legislative instrument was enacted under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targeting Bell 206L-4 helicopters serial numbers 52001 through 52262. The primary issue the AD aimed to resolve was the potential risk of in-flight failure of drive shafts, which had been previously installed in Bell 407 helicopters, due to higher load conditions. The policy objective was to ensure that these drive shafts were not used in Bell 206L-4 helicopters, thereby enhancing flight safety and preventing potential accidents. The AD became effective on 11 July 2002, mandating inspections and replacements as specified in the directive.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 206/150 issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Bell 206L-4 helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 52001 to 52262. The directive mandates that these helicopters must undergo a review of their engine to transmission drive shaft, part number (P/N) 206-340-300-105, in accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) Number 206L-01-123 dated 12 October 2001. Additionally, for drive shafts identified as having been previously installed in a Bell 407 helicopter, these must be replaced. This requirement stems from an investigation into the in-flight failure of a Bell 407 drive shaft due to fatigue cracks in the shaft forward flex frame, which indicated that such shafts experience higher loads when installed in the Bell 407 compared to the Bell 206L-4. Compliance with the directive involves inspecting the drive shaft within 50 hours of time in service or at the next periodic inspection, whichever occurs first, and replacing the specified drive shafts by a revised effective date of 11 July 2002, as detailed in the compliance schedule of the ASB.
Key Provisions
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to Bell 206L-4 helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 52001 through 52262. The primary requirements outlined in this directive pertain to the inspection and replacement of the engine to transmission drive shaft, identified by part number (P/N) 206-340-300-105. According to the directive, operators must review the service records of these drive shafts in accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) Number 206L-01-123 dated 12 October 2001 (section 1(a)). If a drive shaft has not been previously installed in a Bell 407 helicopter, no further action is required, provided it is certified for compliance in the helicopter's logbook (section 1(a)). However, if a drive shaft has been previously installed in a Bell 407 helicopter, it must be replaced (section 1(b)). This requirement aligns with Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-2002-03R2.
The obligations imposed by this AD include conducting a thorough inspection of the drive shafts within 50 hours of time in service or at the next periodic inspection, whichever comes first (section 2(a)). Operators must also ensure that any drive shaft identified as having been installed in a Bell 407 helicopter is replaced. The directive mandates that the replacement must occur in accordance with the compliance schedule detailed in Bell Helicopter Textron ASB 206L-01-123, with a revised effective date of 11 July 2002 (section 2(b)). This requirement ensures that the drive shafts are replaced in a timely and systematic manner, mitigating the risk of in-flight failures.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety concerns. While the directive does not explicitly outline specific penalties for non-compliance, it is important to note that non-compliance with ADs is generally considered a breach of civil aviation regulations. Such breaches may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including the imposition of fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and other regulatory penalties. The exact penalties for non-compliance would be determined based on the specific circumstances and the severity of the breach.