Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22391 · Tail rotor drive shaft
Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 206A, 206A-1 (OH-58A), 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 206A, 206A-1 (OH-58A), 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a loss of tail rotor (TR) drive due to a failure of an adhesively bonded joint between an adapter and a tube on one of the segmented TR drive shaft (TRDS) assemblies. This AD requires determining if an affected TRDS is installed; repetitively inspecting the bond line for damage; repetitively performing a proof load test of the TRDS assembly; and depending on the results of the inspections or the proof load tests, removing an affected TRDS from service and replacing it with a serviceable TRDS. This AD also prohibits installing a TRDS unless it meets certain requirements, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33, dated June 15, 2022 (Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33).
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 requires compliance in terms of air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service (TIS).
(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 defines “Affected TRDS,” for this AD replace each instance of the text “affected TRDS,” with “a TRDS with a part number (P/N) that is not one of the riveted TRDS P/Ns listed in the accomplishment instructions of Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 206-20-139, Revision A, dated August 21, 2020 (ASB 206-20-139 Rev A) or Bell ASB 206L-20-184, Revision C, dated January 14, 2021 (ASB 206L-20-184 Rev C) as applicable to your model helicopter.”
(4) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 defines “Serviceable part,” for this AD replace each instance of the text “serviceable part,” with “a riveted TRDS with a P/N that is listed in the accomplishment instructions of ASB 206-20-139 Rev A or ASB 206L-20-184 Rev C as applicable to your model helicopter; or an affected TRDS that has been inspected and proof load tested in accordance with the requirements of this AD within the past 300 hours TIS or within the last 12 months, whichever occurs first.”
(5) Where the service information referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 specifies scrapping or discarding a part, this AD requires removing that part from service.
(6) Where the service information referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 specifies in the event of a bond line failure, recording the torque value at which it failed, the affected shaft position, part number, serial number, and which end failed, and notifying Bell Product Support Engineering of the findings, this AD does not require recording any discrepancies or reporting any information to Bell Product Support Engineering.
Although the service information referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
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.
