AD 2021-15-06 Requires Determining If An Affected Part Is Installed (By Doing A Maintenance Records Check Or Inspection)

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (now Bell Textron Canada Limited) Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters.

This AD was prompted by a report that a certain tail rotor disc assembly, sold as an alternate part, does not conform to the approved configuration. This AD requires determining if an affected part is installed (by doing a maintenance records check or inspection), and if an affected part is found, replacement with a non-affected part. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective August 27, 2021.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on May 7, 2021 (86 FR 24560). The SNPRM proposed to require determining if an affected part is installed (by doing a maintenance records check or inspection), and if an affected part is found, replacement with a non-affected part. The SNPRM also revised the format, rearranged certain paragraphs, converted a certain table to paragraph format, and removed certain language. The SNPRM was prompted by a significant amount of time elapsing since the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) (75 FR 52914, August 30, 2010) was issued, requiring the FAA to reopen the comment period to allow the public a chance to comment on the proposed actions.

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, issued Canadian AD CF-2010-07, dated February 24, 2010 (Canadian AD CF-2010-07), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (now Bell Textron Canada Limited) Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters. TCCA advises that a certain tail rotor disc assembly, sold through Bell Helicopter Spares beginning March 2009, as an alternate, does not conform to the approved configuration. TCCA stated operating a helicopter with the affected tail rotor disc assembly could result in loss of control of the helicopter.

Accordingly, the Canadian AD requires determining if an affected part is installed, and if an affected part is found, replacement with a non-affected part.

FMI: www.regulations.gov