{"id":"F2006B04447","name":"AD/BELL 206/132 - Tail Rotor Driveshaft Bearing Support Brackets","slug":"ad-bell-206-132-tail-rotor-driveshaft-bearing-support-brackets","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":44284,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04447-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BELL 206/132 - Tail Rotor Driveshaft Bearing Support Brackets","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nBell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters\n\nAD/BELL 206/132 Tail Rotor Driveshaft Bearing Support Brackets\n\n  \n5/95\n\nApplicability: All model 206L series helicopters except model 206L S/N 51511, 51521 and 51532 and subsequent. All model 206 and TH-57 series helicopters except model 206B-3 S/N 4196 and subsequent.\n\nRequirement: Dye penetrant inspect the inner bend radius of bearing support brackets P/N 206-030- 433, 206-030-407 and 206-033-412. Inspect in accordance with Bell Alert Service Bulletins 206L-92-84 for model 206L helicopters, and 206-92-69 for model 206 and TH-57 helicopters.\n\nNote: FAA AD 94-24-11 refers.\n\nCompliance: Inspect brackets before 100 hours time in service after 27 April 1995 or before installation on an aircraft, whichever occurs first.\n\nBackground: A once only inspection is required because of a manufacturing error which may result in cracked brackets being installed on an aircraft.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, time-limited safety directive addressing a specific manufacturing defect. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a one-time inspection for cracked brackets on specific helicopter models."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 200 words)","Only 3 defined part numbers to identify","Single, straightforward compliance requirement (one inspection)","Clear applicability section with specific serial number exceptions","No nested conditional logic or cross-references to other legislation beyond a single note referencing the FAA AD","No interpretation section or defined terms","Simple temporal trigger (100 hours time in service after fixed date)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Think of it as a \"recall notice\" for aircraft parts, but with legal force. Owners and operators must comply or the aircraft cannot legally fly.\n\n**What it does:** It requires helicopter operators to inspect a specific part — the **tail rotor driveshaft bearing support brackets** — on certain Bell 206 series helicopters. These brackets hold bearings that help spin the tail rotor (the small rotor at the back that stops the helicopter from spinning in circles).\n\n**Why it matters:** A manufacturing mistake meant some brackets could have cracks in them. A cracked bracket could fail in flight, potentially causing loss of tail rotor control and a crash. This AD mandates a one-time inspection using a technique called **dye penetrant testing** (a method that makes surface cracks visible using coloured dye).\n\n**Who must comply:**\n- **All Bell 206L series helicopters** — except serial numbers 51511, 51521, 51532 and any made after those\n- **All Bell 206 and TH-57 series helicopters** — except 206B-3 models with serial number 4196 and any made after that\n\n**What must be done:**\n- Inspect the inner bend radius of three specific part numbers: 206-030-433, 206-030-407, and 206-033-412\n- Follow the inspection procedures in Bell's Alert Service Bulletins 206L-92-84 (for 206L models) or 206-92-69 (for 206/TH-57 models)\n\n**When:** Before the helicopter reaches 100 flight hours after 27 April 1995, or before installing a bracket on an aircraft — whichever comes first.\n\n**Key point:** This is a **once-only inspection**, not a recurring requirement. It references a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directive (AD 94-24-11), showing Australia is harmonising with American safety standards."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive's scope aligns with its stated purpose: a once‑only inspection to detect potentially cracked brackets from a manufacturing error. The Applicability, Requirement and Compliance terms define who is covered and the timing; no extension or narrowing beyond that intent is indicated in the text."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical focus — inspection limited to three specific part numbers (Requirement).","One‑time action reduces ongoing compliance burden (Background; Compliance).","Requires a specific non‑destructive technique (dye‑penetrant) and following Bell Alert Service Bulletins (Requirement).","Multiple airframe models with serial‑number exceptions require operators to check applicability for each helicopter (Applicability).","Fixed deadline (before 100 hours TIS after 27 April 1995 or before installation) creates an operational scheduling constraint (Compliance).","Cross‑references to manufacturer service bulletins and FAA AD add administrative steps for correct procedure and recordkeeping (Requirement; Note)."],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires operators to perform a dye‑penetrant inspection of certain tail‑rotor driveshaft bearing support brackets (P/Ns 206-030-433, 206-030-407, 206-033-412) before 100 hours time‑in‑service after 27 April 1995 or before installation (Requirement; Compliance). It applies to most Bell 206/206L and TH‑57 helicopters except listed serial numbers (Applicability). Operators pay for the inspection and must address any cracked brackets; the action responds to a manufacturing error (Background)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-132-tail-rotor-driveshaft-bearing-support-brackets","history":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-132-tail-rotor-driveshaft-bearing-support-brackets/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-132-tail-rotor-driveshaft-bearing-support-brackets/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-132-tail-rotor-driveshaft-bearing-support-brackets/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-132-tail-rotor-driveshaft-bearing-support-brackets/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-132-tail-rotor-driveshaft-bearing-support-brackets/documents"}}