Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11207 · Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 Helicopters
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2002-25-07. Comply with the one in force.
Model 206L helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 45004 through 45153, and 46601 through 46617; Model 206L-1 helicopters, S/N 45154 through 45790; Model 206L-3 helicopters, S/N 51001 through 51613; and Model 206L-4 helicopters, S/N 52001 and higher, with tailboom, part number (P/N) 206-033-004-all dash numbers, installed, certificated in any category.
This amendment supersedes an existing priority letter airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, that currently requires visual inspections and visual checks at specified time intervals, and a fluorescent-penetrant inspection (FPI) for any cracks in the tailboom skins around the horizontal stabilizer openings. Inserting a copy of the priority letter AD into the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) is also required. This amendment revises the inspection procedures and specified time intervals mandated by the priority letter AD. This amendment is prompted by crack growth analysis that indicates the need to detect cracks before they propagate from underneath the horizontal stabilizer supports. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect a crack in the tailboom skin that could result in separation of the tailboom from the helicopter and subsequent loss of control of the 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.
