Transport Transports 

Canada Canada

 TP 7245E

 

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

The following airworthiness directive (AD) may be applicable to an aircraft which our records indicate is registered in your name. ADs are issued pursuant to Canadian 

Aviation Regulation (CAR) 521 Division X. Pursuant to CAR 605.84 and the further details of CAR Standard 625, Appendix H, the continuing airworthiness of a Canadian registered aircraft is contingent upon compliance with all applicable ADs. Failure to comply with the requirements of an AD may invalidate the flight authorization of the aircraft. 

Alternative means of compliance shall be applied for in accordance with CAR 605.84 and the above-referenced Standard. 

This AD has been issued by the Continuing Airworthiness Division (AARDG), National Aircraft Certification Branch, Transport Canada, Ottawa, telephone 613 952-4357.

Pursuant to CAR 202.51 the registered owner of a Canadian aircraft shall, within seven days, notify the Minister in writing of any change of his or her name or address. 

To request a change of address, contact the Civil Aviation Communications Centre (AARC) at Place de Ville, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N8, or 1-800-305-2059, or www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/communications/centre/ address.asp 

24-0022 (01-2005)

1/2 No.

CF-2002-03R3

Issue Date 

 26 September 2013 

Number: CF-2002-03R3 

Subject: KAflex Shaft 

Effective: 10 October 2013 

Revision: Supersedes Airworthiness Directive CF-2002-03R2, issued on 13 February 2002. 

Applicability: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) model 206L-4, 407, 427 and 429 

helicopters. 

Compliance: As indicated below, unless already accomplished. 

Background: During flight the engine-to-transmission drive shaft assembly P/N 206-340-300-105

(KAflex shaft) failed, causing a forced landing. Three additional incidents of a cracked 

flex frame on the forward end of the drive shaft on Model 407 have been reported. As a 

precautionary measure, a one-time visual inspection for any obvious discrepancy of the 

shaft was mandated on Model 407 by CF-2001-24. 

It has been determined that the KAflex shaft on Model 407 helicopters is experiencing 

higher loads than on other helicopter models. 

Since the KAflex shaft P/N 206-340-300-105 can also be installed on Models 206L-4, 

427 and 429, this AD requires a component review to determine if this KAflex shaft was 

previously installed on Model 407. 

To preclude shafts from migrating to other helicopter models, all P/N 206-340-300-105

shafts installed on Model 407 were re-numbered as P/N 206-340-300-107 after overhaul, 

as per Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-01-45 Rev A. The most current shaft available for 

the 407 is P/N 407-340-310-101. 

Revision R3 of this AD is issued to add Model 429 helicopters to the applicability section 

of this AD.

Corrective 

Actions: 

Part I - Models 206L-4, 427 and 429 

Within 30 days from the effective date of this AD, review the Historical Service Record of 

the KAflex shaft to determine if it was ever installed on a Bell Model 407 helicopter. 

A. If the KAflex shaft has never been installed on a Bell Model 407 helicopter, then 

annotate the helicopter log book as follows: 

“P/N 206-340-300-105 KAflex shaft has not been installed on a Bell 407. 

AD CF-2002-03R3 accomplished.” 
No.

N° CF-2002-03R3 2/2 

B. If KAflex shaft P/N 206-340-300-105 has been previously installed for any length of 

time on a Bell 407 helicopter, remove from service as per the applicable schedule 

published in BHTC ASB 206L-01-123 Rev A dated 22 February 2006, or 427-01-04 

Rev A dated 31 March 2006, or later revisions approved by the Chief, Continuing 

Airworthiness, Transport Canada. 

For Model 429 helicopter, follow the removal procedure provided in Chapter 63 of

Maintenance Manual (BHT-MM-1). 

Part II - Model 407 

Remove shaft P/N 206-340-300-105 as per the compliance schedule provided in 

BHTC ASB 407-01-45 Rev. B dated 23 April 2013, or later revisions approved by the 

Chief, Continuing Airworthiness, Transport Canada. 

Authorization: For the Minister of Transport, 

ORIGINAL SIGNED BY 

Derek Ferguson 

Chief, Continuing Airworthiness 

Contact: Bogdan Gajewski, Continuing Airworthiness, Ottawa, telephone 613-952-4357, facsimile 

613-996-9178 or e-mail AD-CN@tc.gc.ca or any Transport Canada Centre.