AD/BELL 206/16 - Cyclic Stick Balance Spring Clip - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, provide a comprehensive framework for regulating civil aviation within the country. One specific aspect of these regulations is addressed in Part 39, which includes a schedule of airworthiness directives. These directives ensure that aircraft meet necessary safety standards, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the aviation industry. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were introduced to fill the gap in ensuring that all civil aviation activities in Australia adhere to stringent safety and operational standards, thus safeguarding the interests of passengers, crew, and the general public. One particular airworthiness directive, AD/BELL 206/16, pertains to the inspection of the cyclic stick balance spring clip on Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters. This directive was implemented to address a specific safety concern identified with the cyclic stick balance spring clip's installation on these models. The policy objective is to mandate a thorough inspection and, if necessary, readjustment of the balance spring clip to ensure it is properly mounted as per the specifications provided by Bell SL No. 206A104 Revision B dated 17 January 1969. This directive aims to prevent potential flight safety issues that could arise from improper installation, ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of these helicopters.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all entities and individuals operating model 206A Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 4 to 408, which incorporate the cyclic stick balance spring. This regulation mandates that the balance spring clip, identified by part number 206-001-391-1, must be inspected and, if necessary, readjusted to ensure it is properly mounted on the yoke's left hand, part number 206-001-322-3. The clip should be mounted on the left hand outboard side of the yoke clevis with the 0.38 by 0.16 inch tang of the clip positioned against the top surface of the yoke and pointing inboard, as illustrated in Figure 1 of Bell Service Letter No. 206A-104 Revision B dated 17 January 1969. Compliance with this directive is required within 5 hours of time in service after 26 May 1969. The regulation is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, with its enforcement overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in this particular directive, and it applies uniformly to all specified helicopters within the mentioned serial number range.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/BELL 206/16), which pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. This directive is crucial for ensuring the safe operation of these aircraft by mandating specific inspections and adjustments. Section 7 of the directive (7/69) requires an inspection of the cyclic stick balance spring clip, part number 206-001-391-1, to verify its proper mounting on the yoke, specifically on the left-hand side part number 206-001-322-3. The clip must be installed on the left-hand outboard side of the clevis of the yoke, ensuring the 0.38 by 0.16 inch tang of the clip is against the top surface of the yoke, pointing inboard. This installation method is illustrated in Figure 1 of Bell Service Letter No. 206A104 Revision B dated 17 January 1969. Operators and owners of model 206A helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 4 to 408 that incorporate the cyclic stick balance spring must comply with the directive by inspecting and readjusting the balance spring clip as necessary within five hours of the helicopter being in service after 26 May 1969. This requirement is designed to ensure that the balance spring clip is correctly positioned, which is critical for the safe operation and control of the aircraft. Failure to comply with this directive could result in safety hazards and potential operational issues. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose specific obligations on operators and owners of the affected helicopters. They must ensure that the cyclic stick balance spring clip is inspected and correctly mounted as per the directive within the stipulated timeframe. This involves accessing the relevant parts of the aircraft, verifying the clip's position, and making any necessary adjustments to ensure compliance. Operators must maintain records of these inspections and any corrective actions taken to demonstrate compliance with the regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with the provisions of this airworthiness directive can result in significant consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the directive itself, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These actions can include fines, grounding of the aircraft, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance is deemed to be a serious safety risk. The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the extent of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety.