{"id":"F2006B04448","name":"AD/BELL 206/134 - Fuel Valve Switch Guard","slug":"ad-bell-206-134-fuel-valve-switch-guard","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":44285,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04448-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BELL 206/134 - Fuel Valve Switch Guard","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 206/134 Fuel Valve Switch Guard 8/95\n\nApplicability: Bell 206A all S/No’s, 206BJRII all S/No’s, 206BJRIII S/N 2212 through 4069 and 4071 through 4074, 206L S/N 45001 through 45153 and 46601 through 46617, 206L-\n\n1 S/N 45154 through 45790 and 206L-3 S/N 51001 through 51319.\n\nRequirement: Unless previously carried out, action in accordance with Bell ASB 206-90-54 or Bell ASB 206L-90-67 Revision A, as applicable.\n\nNote: FAA AD 95-09-06 Amdt 39-9209 refers.\n\nCompliance: Within 50 hours time in service after 31 July 1995 or prior to 31 January 1996, whichever occur first.\n\nBackground: The manufacturer has received reports that the fuel shut off valve ON-OFF toggle switch have been inadvertently selected to the OFF position.\n\nThis could result in loss of engine power during a critical stage of flight.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD targets a defined set of Bell 206 model variants and serial number ranges and mandates modification per Bell service bulletins to prevent inadvertent fuel‑valve shutoff. The instrument text shows no indication that these applicability limits or the required action were changed from the AD as issued; it remains focused on the listed models/serial numbers and the single corrective action described (Applicability / Requirement / Compliance)."},"complexity_factors":["Specific serial‑numbered applicability across multiple submodels requires checking individual aircraft serial numbers (Applicability).","Mandated compliance via external manufacturer service bulletins rather than prescribing technical steps in the AD adds reliance on and cross‑reference to another document (Requirement).","Fixed compliance window (50 flight hours after a date or an absolute calendar date) creates scheduling pressure and potential opportunity costs (Compliance).","Cross‑reference to a foreign regulator's AD (FAA) adds a layer of coordination but not additional procedural steps (Note).","Implementation depends on parts and maintenance availability, which can vary by operator and region (implicit operational dependency)."],"plain_english_summary":"CASA requires certain Bell 206 series helicopters be retrofitted with a guard for the fuel shut‑off toggle switch by following the specified Bell service bulletin within a short compliance window. This affects owners/operators and maintenance providers of the listed serial‑numbered models, who bear the direct costs and scheduling burden.\n\nThe measure’s purpose is to prevent inadvertent shutoff and loss of engine power; compliance is mandatory, verifiable, and mirrors a related FAA AD."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical hazard. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating fuel valve switch guards for specific helicopter models."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 200 words)","Only 4 defined structural elements (Applicability, Requirement, Note, Compliance, Background)","No cross-references to other legislation beyond a single reference to an FAA AD","Simple conditional logic: 'Unless previously carried out' is the only exception","Specific but straightforward applicability criteria (serial number ranges)","Single mandatory action with clear deadline"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for specific helicopter models.\n\n**What it does:**\nRequires owners and operators of certain Bell 206 series helicopters to install a protective guard around the fuel valve toggle switch. This prevents pilots or passengers from accidentally bumping the switch to \"OFF\" during flight — which would cut fuel supply and cause engine failure.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of specific Bell helicopter models including the 206A, 206B JRII, 206B JRIII (specific serial numbers), 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3\n- The directive applies to helicopters with specific serial number ranges listed in the \"Applicability\" section\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe manufacturer received reports of the fuel shut-off switch being accidentally turned off. If this happens during critical flight phases (like takeoff or landing), the engine loses power and the helicopter could crash. The guard is a simple physical barrier to prevent this potentially catastrophic accident.\n\n**What must be done:**\nOperators must follow specific manufacturer service bulletins (Bell ASB 206-90-54 or Bell ASB 206L-90-67 Revision A) to install the guard. This must be completed within 50 flight hours after 31 July 1995, or before 31 January 1996 — whichever comes first.\n\n**Key point:** This is not optional. Airworthiness Directives are legally binding safety requirements. Non-compliance means the aircraft cannot legally fly."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-134-fuel-valve-switch-guard","history":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-134-fuel-valve-switch-guard/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-134-fuel-valve-switch-guard/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-134-fuel-valve-switch-guard/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-134-fuel-valve-switch-guard/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-134-fuel-valve-switch-guard/documents"}}