Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17653 · Emergency flotation section
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Helicopters
This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell), Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, and 407 helicopters with an Apical Industries, Inc. (Apical), emergency float kit installed under Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) Number SR01535LA, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell), Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L- 3, 206L-4, and 407 helicopters with an Apical Industries, Inc. (Apical) emergency float kit installed under Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) Number SR01535LA. This AD was prompted by an incident in which the floats installed on a helicopter failed to deploy. This AD requires inspecting, labeling, and replacing the float inflation hoses. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the emergency floatation gear to deploy during an emergency event.
You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time.
(1) Within 45 hours time-in-service:
(i) Inspect each float inflation hose port fitting at the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) forward crosstube saddles for corrosion, damage, or a bend in the tubing greater than 5 degrees from their original position.
(A) If there is corrosion that has penetrated the base material more than.010 inch, or damage that has removed more than.010 inch of base material, before further flight, replace the port fitting.
(B) If there is a bend in the port fitting tubing greater than 5 degrees from the original position of the tube, bend the port fitting back to its original position to enable complete sealing of the port fitting adapter.
(ii) Inspect the position of each float inflation hose for proper connection and routing to the LH and RH port fittings. If the position of any float inflation hose is not as shown in figure 2 of Apical Alert Service Bulletin No. SB2010-03, Revision C, dated December 21, 2011 (ASB SB2010-03), before further flight, correct the installation of the float inflation hose at the port fitting.
(iii) Install a marking label on the LH and RH port fittings as shown in figures 3 and 4 of ASB SB2010-03 and seal the marking label with clear shrink tubing.
(2) Within 6 months:
(i) Remove each hose connecting the aft float to the port fitting, part number (P/N) 602.1417 for Model 206A and 206B helicopters, P/N 602.1420 for Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, or P/N 602.1413 for Model 407 helicopters, from each skid tube.
(ii) Install a port fitting adaptor, P/N 614.8709, onto the straight line fitting on the LH and RH port fittings as depicted in figure 6 of ASB SB2010-03.
(iii) Install an aft float hose, P/N 602.1430 for Model 206A and 206B helicopters, P/N 602.1431 for Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, or P/N 602.1429 for Model 407 helicopters, to each port fitting adaptor and aft float.
(3) Do not install a hose, P/N 602.1417 for Model 206A and 206B helicopters, P/N 602.1420 for Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, or P/N 602.1413 for Model 407 helicopters, on any helicopter.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
