{"id":"F2006B04590","name":"AD/BELL 212/58 - Fuel Line Replacement","slug":"ad-bell-212-58-fuel-line-replacement","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":44328,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04590-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BELL 212/58 - Fuel Line Replacement","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 212 Series Helicopters\n\nAD/BELL 212/58 Fuel Line Replacement 9/97\n\nApplicability: All Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters in the following S/N range; 30501 thru 30999,\n\n31101 thru 31311,\n\n32101 thru 32142 and,\n\n35001 thru 35080.\n\nRequirement: Replace engine fuel lines hoses as detailed in Bell Technical Bulletin 212-96-157 dated 22 July 1996.\n\nNote: Canadian AD CF-97-04 refers.\n\nCompliance: Unless previously carried out, no later than 30 June 1998.\n\nThis airworthiness directive becomes effective on 14 August 1997.\n\nBackground: The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has determined there has been at least two accidents where failure of a aluminium elbow attached to tee-fitting P/N 110- 089-12C either broke or was suspected to have broken as a result of the helicopter rolling onto its side. In one accident, fire which originated in the area of the failed fitting destroyed the helicopter and resulted in three fatalities.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope remains targeted: the directive addresses fuel-line hose replacement only for the listed Bell 212 serial-number ranges and directs compliance with Bell Technical Bulletin 212-96-157. The Background explains the safety trigger (aluminium elbow failure); there is no expansion beyond the stated applicability and required action (Applicability; Requirement; Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability limited to specific serial-number ranges, reducing administrative scope (Applicability).","Single, clearly defined technical action: replace engine fuel-line hoses per Bell Technical Bulletin 212-96-157, which focuses the work but requires following an external document (Requirement).","Mandatory compliance by a hard date (30 June 1998) creates scheduling and downtime pressure for operators (Compliance).","Safety-critical nature increases urgency and may require certified parts and qualified maintenance personnel, affecting cost and logistics (Requirement; Background).","Regulatory enforcement by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority means non-compliance risk for operators; discretion for CASA on enforcement actions (Compliance).","Cross-reference to Canadian AD indicates coordinated international safety response but requires operators to track multiple regulatory sources (Note)."],"plain_english_summary":"This airworthiness directive requires owners/operators to replace engine fuel-line hoses on specified Bell 212 helicopters, following Bell Technical Bulletin 212-96-157, to address failure of an aluminium elbow fitting linked to post-roll fires (Requirement; Background). It applies only to helicopters in the stated serial-number ranges and must be completed by 30 June 1998; operators bear parts and labour costs and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority enforces compliance (Applicability; Compliance)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete airworthiness directive with a narrow, specific safety purpose. It has not expanded beyond its original intent of addressing a known mechanical failure mode in specific aircraft."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical requirement (replace fuel lines per manufacturer bulletin)","Limited applicability (four specific serial number ranges)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic","Single compliance deadline with straightforward 'unless already done' exception","No defined terms section or extensive cross-referencing to other legislation","Background provided in plain narrative rather than technical regulatory language"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety order for helicopter operators** issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires owners and operators of specific Bell 212 helicopters to replace certain engine fuel lines\n- The replacement must follow instructions in a technical bulletin from the manufacturer (Bell Helicopter)\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of Bell 212 helicopters with specific serial numbers (roughly 400+ aircraft in defined ranges)\n\n**Why it matters:**\n- **Two Canadian helicopter crashes** were linked to fuel line fittings breaking when helicopters rolled onto their side\n- One crash caused a fire that killed three people and destroyed the aircraft\n- This directive prevents similar accidents in Australian-registered aircraft by mandating replacement of the faulty parts before a deadline\n\n**Key deadline:**\n- Replacement must be completed by **30 June 1998** (unless already done)\n\n**In simple terms:** If you own one of these specific Bell helicopters, you must swap out certain fuel hoses by mid-1998 or you can't legally fly the aircraft. This prevents fuel leaks and potential fires if the helicopter tips over."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bell-212-58-fuel-line-replacement","history":"/api/acts/ad-bell-212-58-fuel-line-replacement/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bell-212-58-fuel-line-replacement/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bell-212-58-fuel-line-replacement/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bell-212-58-fuel-line-replacement/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bell-212-58-fuel-line-replacement/documents"}}