Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21541 · Fuel quantity sensor
Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Helicopters
This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, certificated in any category, with a low fuel level detector switch unit (switch unit) part number (P/N) 206-063-613-003:
(1) With a switch unit serial number (S/N) 1413, 1414, 1415, 1424, 1428, 1430, 1432, or 1433 installed, or
(2) With a missing or illegible switch unit S/N or if the S/N cannot be determined, installed.
Note 1 to paragraph (c): Helicopters with a 206L-1+ designation are Model 206L-1 helicopters. Helicopters with a 206L-3+ designation are Model 206L-3 helicopters.
Note 2 to paragraph (c): The switch unit is located on the aft fuel boost pump assembly. The P/N and S/N for the switch unit could be on the outside face of the attachment flange, in the cross hatched area of the switch unit.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 206L series helicopters. This AD was prompted by a manufacturing flaw that could cause low fuel level detector switch units (switch units) to hang in the high position and fail to indicate a low fuel condition. This AD requires removing certain switch units from service and prohibits installing those switch units. This AD also requires accomplishing an operational test of certain other switch units, and depending on the results, removing the switch unit from service. This AD also prohibits installing those certain other switch units unless they pass an operational test. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) For a switch unit identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, on or before the next 100-hour time-in-service inspection after the effective date of this AD, remove the switch unit from service.
(2) For a switch unit identified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD, on or before the next 100-hour time-in-service inspection after the effective date of this AD:
(i) Determine the color of the switch unit mounting flange. If the mounting flange color is any color other than red, determine the purchase date. If the purchase date of the switch unit is between April 19 and July 26, 2004, or cannot be determined, do an operational test.
(ii) If the switch unit fails the operational test, before further flight, remove the switch unit from service.
(3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a switch unit identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD on any helicopter.
(4) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a switch unit identified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD on any helicopter unless the actions in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD have been accomplished.
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.
