Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2006B04458:body:0:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2006B04458
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 3123–5504

after 31 March 1999, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 110 hours time in service.

4.    Before 31 December 2000, unless already accomplished.

           Compliance with Requirement 4 of this Directive constitutes terminating action for Requirements 1, 2, and 3.

           The visual inspection required by this Directive may be performed by the pilot in command, in which case certification is to be made by entering AD/BELL 206/143 Amdt 3 against the daily inspection certification of the maintenance release. A copy of this Airworthiness Directive is to be kept in the aircraft.

           The compliance of the previous issue of this Directive remains unchanged for Requirement 3.

           This Amendment becomes effective on 29 March 2000.

           Background:  There have been seven reports of cracks to the tail boom skin in the area of the horizontal stabiliser. The cracks were found by normal visual inspection. The average time accumulated on the tail booms was more than 2,000 hours; however, cracks could develop at any time. Pending further terminating action, on-going repetitive inspections are necessary.

           Amendment 1 was issued after a review of crack growth rates indicated a need to detect cracks earlier. This necessitates the use of non-destructive inspections of the tail boom skin under the support plates. Additionally, applicability was expanded for the Model 206L helicopters. The required inspections were an interim measure pending forthcoming mandatory installation of doublers on the tail boom skin around the horizontal stabiliser cutout.

               Amendment 2 mandated the reinforcement of the tail boom skin around the left horizontal stabiliser cutout.

               Amendment 3 is issued in response to a new TC AD which clarifies the applicability of Model 206 L serial numbers and extends the Requirement 4 compliance time.

               Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 7 October 1999. Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 31 March 1999.
               The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 20 January 1999.

    Bernard Malcolm Hole
    Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 March 2000

    The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 29 March 2000.