{"id":"F2006B04545","name":"AD/BELL 206/98 - Main Rotor Blade - Inspection","slug":"ad-bell-206-98-main-rotor-blade-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114271,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04545-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BELL 206/98 - Main Rotor Blade - 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\nBell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters\n\n \n\nAD/BELL 206/98 Main Rotor Blade - Inspection 5/85\n\nTX\n\nApplicability: All models 206L and 206L-1 with S/Nos 45001 to 45790 and 46601 to 46617. All model 206L-3 with S/Nos 51001 to 51109, 51111 to 51117 and 51119 to 51124.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 206L-85-35.\n\n \n\nCompliance: PART 1: At each daily inspection after 22 March 1985 until compliance with Part 2.\n\n \n\nNote: This inspection may be accomplished by the pilot in command in which case he/she shall enter and certify for this AD in Col. 2 Part 3 of the Maintenance Release on each occasion.\n\n \n\nPART 2: Prior to 1 June 1985.\n\n \n\nBackground: The manufacturer reports cases of chordwise cracking.\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, time-bound safety directive issued in 1985 for a specific mechanical defect. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of addressing chordwise cracking in specified Bell 206L rotor blades."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical issue (rotor blade cracking)","Only 3 helicopter models affected with explicitly listed serial number ranges","Two-part compliance structure: daily pilot inspection + one-time detailed inspection","No defined terms section, no cross-references to other legislation beyond the manufacturer's service bulletin","Straightforward temporal deadlines (22 March 1985, 1 June 1985)","Total length: approximately 150 words"],"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 helicopters.\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders owners and operators of certain Bell 206L series helicopters to inspect their main rotor blades for dangerous cracks.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Bell 206L and 206L-1 helicopters with serial numbers 45001–45790 and 46601–46617\n- Bell 206L-3 helicopters with serial numbers 51001–51109, 51111–51117, and 51119–51124\n\n**What must happen:**\n- **Part 1:** From 22 March 1985 onwards, pilots must visually check the rotor blades **every day** the helicopter flies. The pilot can do this themselves and must write it in the aircraft's maintenance log (the \"Maintenance Release\") each time.\n- **Part 2:** A proper inspection following the manufacturer's service bulletin must be completed **before 1 June 1985**.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe manufacturer found cases of \"chordwise cracking\" — cracks running along the length of the rotor blade. If undetected, these cracks could cause blade failure and catastrophic crash. This AD was issued to catch the problem before it killed anyone.\n\n**Key point:** This is a **time-critical safety mandate**, not optional guidance. Flying without complying is illegal."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive applies inspections to a specified set of Bell 206 serial numbers and mandates following the Bell Alert Service Bulletin to address reported chordwise cracking. The text contains no indication that the scope was widened or narrowed beyond addressing that reported issue; it prescribes a temporary daily-inspection regimen until the Part 2 action is completed by the stated deadline. (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance: PART 1; PART 2; Background)"},"complexity_factors":["Specific model and serial-number lists narrow applicability and require operators to check eligibility precisely. (Applicability)","Two-part compliance regime with a time-limited daily-inspection obligation followed by a one-time Part 2 action introduces schedule management. (Compliance: PART 1; PART 2)","Mandated reliance on an external document (Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 206L-85-35) requires operators to obtain and follow that bulletin. (Requirement)","Allowance for pilot-in-command to perform inspections adds variability in who performs the work and requires repeated certification entries. (Note)","A clear deadline (prior to 1 June 1985) creates a short compliance window for the Part 2 action. (Compliance: PART 2)"],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires owners/operators of specified Bell 206L, 206L‑1 and 206L‑3 helicopters to perform main rotor blade inspections per Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 206L‑85‑35 to address reported chordwise cracking. Daily checks begin 22 March 1985 and continue until a mandated follow‑up action is completed by 1 June 1985; pilots may perform the daily inspections but must record and certify each one in the aircraft Maintenance Release. Operators bear inspection costs and must obtain and follow the service bulletin."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-98-main-rotor-blade-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-98-main-rotor-blade-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-98-main-rotor-blade-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-98-main-rotor-blade-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-98-main-rotor-blade-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bell-206-98-main-rotor-blade-inspection/documents"}}