{"id":"F2006B04631","name":"AD/BELL 407/18 - Fuel Line","slug":"ad-bell-407-18-fuel-line","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":44383,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04631-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.\n\nBell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series Helicopters","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/BELL 407/18 Fuel Line 12/2001","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/BELL 407/18 Fuel Line 12/2001","content":"# AD/BELL 407/18 Fuel Line 12/2001\n\nApplicability: Bell 407 series helicopters, serial numbers 53000 through 53174.\n\nRequirement: 1. Inspect the main fuel feed line, P/No 70-061V000V444A in accordance with BHTC Service Bulletin 407-01-42, Accomplishment Instructions PART 1. If the fuel feed line is found to be chafed replace before further flight.\n\n2. Replace fuel cell standpipe, P/No 407-062-011-101 or 407-062-041-101, in accordance with BHTC Service Bulletin 407-01-42, Accomplishment Instructions PART 2\n\nNote 1: Transport Canada AD CF-2001-30R1 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive or by 31 January 2002 whichever occurs first.\n\n2. Within 300 flight hours after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive or by 31 January 2002 whichever occurs first.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 29 November 2001.\n\nBackground: Bell has advised that the main fuel feed line, located between the aft fuel boost pump and the top fuel cell fitting, may chafe on the fuel cell standpipe. If the fuel feed line chafed through either fuel leakage could occur, or air could enter the engine fuel supply line resulting in an engine flame out.\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nEugene Paul Holzapfel\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 22 October 2001\n\n![](image.001.png)","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard single-issue Airworthiness Directive addressing a specific unsafe condition (fuel line chafing). The scope remains tightly focused on the original safety issue identified by the manufacturer and Transport Canada."},"complexity_factors":["Single-issue directive with only two distinct requirements","Minimal cross-referencing (only one external service bulletin referenced)","Clear applicability limited to specific serial number range","Straightforward compliance deadlines with simple 'whichever occurs first' logic","No nested exceptions or conditional sub-clauses","Short document (approximately 250 words excluding headers/images)","Only two defined part numbers in requirements"],"plain_english_summary":"CASA requires owners/operators of Bell 407 helicopters (s/n 53000–53174) to inspect and, where necessary, replace the main fuel feed line and replace the fuel cell standpipe because chafing between the line and standpipe can cause fuel leaks, air ingestion or engine flameout.\n\nThese actions are mandatory within the specified flight‑hour/date limits in the service instructions; they prevent in‑flight engine failure or fire and must be completed before further flight if wear is found."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD remains narrowly focused on correcting a specific unsafe condition (chafing of the main fuel feed line on certain Bell 407 helicopters). It does not expand regulatory scope beyond that technical safety issue: applicability, required actions, and compliance times all directly address that original safety concern and do not introduce unrelated requirements."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-issue directive (fuel line chafing)","Limited defined objects: three specified part numbers and two service bulletin parts","Simple applicability: specific serial-number range (53000–53174)","Two compliance deadlines with \"whichever occurs first\" timing condition","Cross-reference to BHTC Service Bulletin 407-01-42 and Transport Canada AD CF-2001-30R1","No nested exceptions or multiple conditional pathways","Clear mandatory actions (inspect, replace if chafed, replace standpipe)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- This Airworthiness Directive (AD) orders owners/operators of certain Bell 407 helicopters to inspect and, where necessary, replace specific fuel system parts to correct a particular unsafe condition. The AD is issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations (the CASA delegate’s power is noted in the text).  \n\n- **Applicability:** Bell 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000 through 53174.  \n\n- **Required actions (Requirement):**  \n  - Inspect the main fuel feed line, part number 70-061V000V444A, following the instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Service Bulletin 407-01-42 (Accomplishment Instructions PART 1). If the feed line is found to be chafed, it must be replaced before the helicopter flies again.  \n  - Replace the fuel cell standpipe (part number 407-062-011-101 or 407-062-041-101) as specified in BHTC Service Bulletin 407-01-42 (Accomplishment Instructions PART 2).  \n\n- **Timing (Compliance):**  \n  - The inspection (and any replacement if chafing is found) must occur within 50 flight hours after the AD’s effective date, or by 31 January 2002 — whichever happens first.  \n  - The standpipe replacement must occur within 300 flight hours after the AD’s effective date, or by 31 January 2002 — whichever happens first.  \n  - The AD became effective on 29 November 2001.  \n\n- **Safety reason (Background):** Bell advised that the main fuel feed line, located between the aft fuel boost pump and the top fuel cell fitting, may chafe against the fuel cell standpipe. Chafing could allow fuel leakage or let air enter the engine fuel supply line, either of which could lead to engine flameout. The AD references a related Transport Canada AD (CF-2001-30R1) and relies on the Bell service bulletin for procedural detail.\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Owners and operators of Bell 407 helicopters with serial numbers 53000–53174.  \n- Maintenance organisations and licensed mechanics who perform inspections and part replacements under the service bulletin.  \n- Parts suppliers for the specified part numbers (feed line and standpipe).  \n\n**Why it matters (practical effects and decision-making mechanics)**\n\n- The AD makes the inspection and replacement mandatory for the listed helicopters; compliance is required by the stated deadlines. The CASA delegate’s AD power compels operators to follow the service bulletin instructions for the specified parts.  \n\n- Who pays: helicopter owners/operators bear direct costs — labour for inspection, cost of replacement parts if chafing is found or for the mandated standpipe replacement, and any time the aircraft is out of service for the work.  \n\n- Who decides: the AD prescribes what must be done and when. Compliance work must follow the specified Bell service bulletin. Maintenance personnel exercise judgement only in determining whether the feed line is chafed; if chafing is found, replacement is mandatory.  \n\n- Behavioural effect: operators must prioritise the inspections and replacements within the compliance windows. Failure to comply may expose operators to enforcement action or to being grounded for safety reasons.  \n\n**Costs, incentives, trade-offs and implementation risks**\n\n- Costs are concentrated on the small set of owners/operators of the affected serial-numbered helicopters (parts and labour). The safety benefit is concentrated to those aircraft and their occupants.  \n\n- Implementation relies on availability of the specified parts and on the ability of maintenance organisations to perform the work within the compliance windows. If parts are scarce, operators may face grounding risk or need temporary mitigations (not provided in the AD).  \n\n- The AD references an existing manufacturer service bulletin and a Transport Canada AD; this cross-reference reduces technical ambiguity but creates dependence on the availability and clarity of the service bulletin for correct execution.  \n\n- Administrative discretion is limited: the AD prescribes the actions and timing. Licence/approval status of maintenance organisations will determine who may lawfully perform the work.  \n\n**Relevant citations (mechanical anchors)**\n\n- Applicability, Requirement, Compliance and Background sections specify affected serials, exact part numbers (70-061V000V444A; 407-062-011-101; 407-062-041-101), the service bulletin to follow (BHTC Service Bulletin 407-01-42), and the compliance windows.  \n\n(End of summary.)"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-18-fuel-line","history":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-18-fuel-line/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-18-fuel-line/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-18-fuel-line/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-18-fuel-line/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-18-fuel-line/documents"}}