{"id":"F2006B04506","name":"AD/BELL 206/50 - Main Rotor Pitch Link Tubes - Inspection","slug":"ad-bell-206-50-main-rotor-pitch-link-tubes-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114205,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04506-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BELL 206/50 - Main Rotor Pitch Link Tubes - Inspection","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 22.10.0\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters\n\n \n\nAD/BELL 206/50 Main Rotor Pitch Link Tubes - Inspection 6/73\n\nApplicability: All models.\n\n \n\nDocument: Bell SB No. 206-04-2-73-1.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Initially within 25 hours time in service after 25 May 1973 and thereafter in accordance with the requirement document.\n\n \n\nBackground: AD/Agusta 206/36 equivalent.\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive focused on a specific mechanical component in a specific aircraft type. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of ensuring pitch link tube integrity."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 200 words)","Only 4 operative provisions: applicability, reference document, compliance deadline, and background note","No defined terms section — uses plain language and manufacturer part names","Single cross-reference to manufacturer service bulletin (external document, not legislative cross-reference)","No conditional logic, exceptions, or nested provisions","Straightforward compliance: one-time initial deadline plus recurring requirement"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). It requires owners and operators of certain Bell helicopters to inspect the **main rotor pitch link tubes** (components that control the angle of the rotor blades).\n\n**What it does:**\n- Mandates a specific inspection of critical helicopter parts that could fail and cause loss of control\n- Requires the first inspection within 25 flight hours after 25 May 1973\n- Ongoing inspections must follow the manufacturer's service bulletin (Bell SB No. 206-04-2-73-1)\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of **Bell 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters** (all models)\n- Maintenance engineers working on these aircraft\n\n**Why it matters:**\nPitch link tubes are essential for controlling the helicopter. If they crack or fail, the pilot cannot control the rotor blades, leading to catastrophic accidents. This AD was issued after safety concerns emerged, with an equivalent directive already in place for Agusta-built versions of the same helicopter type."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD text provides no indication that the scope has been altered from its original specification. It applies to all models of the Bell/Agusta 206 series and sets an initial inspection requirement and continuing inspections per the referenced service bulletin. The document identifies equivalence to AD/Agusta 206/36 (Background), but the AD itself does not show amendments or a changed scope."},"complexity_factors":["Short, focused directive with a single clear action (inspection) and a single initial deadline (25 hours TIS after 25 May 1973). (Compliance)","Delegation of technical detail to an external document (Bell SB No. 206-04-2-73-1) creates a dependency that raises implementation complexity. (Document)","Broad applicability — covers 'all models' of the specified helicopter series — increases the number of affected operators and therefore administrative reach. (Applicability)","Regulatory authority referenced (Civil Aviation Regulations, Part 39 - 105) but enforcement and penalty mechanisms are not specified in the AD text, requiring reference to broader regulatory framework to understand consequences. (Header)","Historic fixed initial compliance date (25 May 1973) makes the AD legacy in timing terms and could create interpretive questions about ongoing applicability without consulting the SB. (Compliance)"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates inspections of main-rotor pitch-link tubes on all Bell/Agusta 206-series helicopters, requiring an initial check within 25 hours TIS after 25 May 1973 and recurring inspections as specified. \n\nCompliance requires following Bell SB No. 206-04-2-73-1 for the detailed procedures; operators/owners must perform and pay for inspections, repairs, and associated downtime. Non-compliance risks regulatory breach and safety exposure."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-50-main-rotor-pitch-link-tubes-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-50-main-rotor-pitch-link-tubes-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-50-main-rotor-pitch-link-tubes-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-50-main-rotor-pitch-link-tubes-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-50-main-rotor-pitch-link-tubes-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-50-main-rotor-pitch-link-tubes-inspection/documents"}}