{"id":"F2006B04523","name":"AD/BELL 206/7 Amdt 1 - Tail Boom - Inspection","slug":"ad-bell-206-7-amdt-1-tail-boom-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114231,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04523-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BELL 206/7 Amdt 1 - Tail Boom - Inspection","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\nBell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters\n\nAD/BELL 206/7\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \nTail Boom \\- Inspection 8/69\n\nApplicability: Models 206A and AB-206A fitted with magnesium tail boom.\n\nRequirement: 1\\. Remove the tail rotor drive shaft cover and, using a X3 or higher powered magnifying glass, inspect the skin adjacent to rivet holes for cracks in the following areas:\n\n    (a) the tab attachment of the drive shaft cover to the tail boom.\n\n    (b) the rivnut attachment of the tail rotor gear box fairing to the tail boom.\n\n    (c) the horizontal stabilizer attachment fittings.\n\n2. Remove the gear box fairing, and using a X3 or higher magnifying glass, inspect the attachment area for cracks. Balance the tail rotor.\n\nNote: Bell SB No. 206A-7 refers.\n\nCompliance: For Para. 1 \\- Before first flight of each day.\n\nFor Para. 2 \\- At intervals not exceeding 25 hours time in service.\n\nBackground: AD/Agusta 206/1 equivalent.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The document does not indicate any change in scope from an earlier version within the text supplied. It applies specifically to Bell 206A and AB‑206A helicopters with magnesium tail booms and prescribes the inspection steps and intervals (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance). The Background simply notes equivalence to AD/Agusta 206/1."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability limited to Models 206A and AB‑206A fitted with magnesium tail boom (Applicability).","Prescriptive inspection tasks that require removal of covers/fairings and a specified minimum visual magnification (Requirement 1–2).","Two distinct inspection frequencies: daily pre‑flight for Para 1 and ≤25 hours time‑in‑service for Para 2 (Compliance).","A small number of specific structural locations to inspect (three areas in Para 1 plus Para 2 attachment area) which reduces breadth but requires targeted access.","Reference to manufacturer service bulletin (Bell SB No. 206A‑7) which may affect procedural detail external to the AD (Note)."],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires operators of Bell 206A/Agusta‑Bell AB‑206A helicopters with magnesium tail booms to perform mandatory, short‑interval inspections to detect cracks: daily pre‑flight visual checks with a ≥3× magnifier of specified tail‑boom attachment areas, plus a more invasive inspection and tail‑rotor balancing every 25 hours. The owner/operator bears the labour and downtime; the AD prescribes the methods and timing."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard Airworthiness Directive maintaining its original purpose: mandating specific safety inspections for a defined aircraft type. The amendment notation (Amdt 1) suggests routine updating rather than scope expansion."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 300 words)","Only 2 defined compliance periods (daily and 25-hour intervals)","Single applicability criterion (specific models with magnesium tail booms)","No cross-references to other legislation beyond a note to manufacturer's service bulletin","Straightforward procedural requirements with no nested conditions or exceptions","No interpretation section or defined terms"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety notice issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for specific helicopter models.\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders owners and operators of certain Bell 206 and Agusta-Bell 206 helicopters to conduct regular inspections of the **tail boom** (the long thin section at the rear of the helicopter). The tail boom on these particular models was made from **magnesium**, which can develop dangerous cracks around rivet holes and attachment points.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of **Bell 206A** and **Agusta-Bell AB-206A** helicopters that have **magnesium tail booms** (not all do — only specific models)\n- Maintenance engineers who must perform these inspections\n\n**What must be done:**\n- **Daily inspection:** Before the first flight each day, mechanics must remove the tail rotor drive shaft cover and use a magnifying glass (3x power or stronger) to check for cracks near rivet holes in three specific areas\n- **Every 25 flight hours:** Remove the gearbox fairing (a protective cover) and inspect that attachment area for cracks, then rebalance the tail rotor\n\n**Why it matters:**\nCracks in the tail boom can lead to **structural failure** — potentially causing the tail to break off in flight, which is usually catastrophic. This AD prevents accidents by catching fatigue cracks early. The reference to \"Bell SB No. 206A-7\" points to a Service Bulletin from the manufacturer alerting them to this defect.\n\nThis is **Amendment 1** of the directive, suggesting it updates or refines earlier requirements."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-7-amdt-1-tail-boom-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-7-amdt-1-tail-boom-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-7-amdt-1-tail-boom-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-7-amdt-1-tail-boom-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-7-amdt-1-tail-boom-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-7-amdt-1-tail-boom-inspection/documents"}}