On Jan. 23 the FAA adopted Airworthiness Directive (AD) No. 2013-02-01 applicable to certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) helicopters. The AD applies to Bell Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3 helicopters, all serial numbers (S/N), and 206L-4 helicopters, S/Ns 52001 through 52430 with a hydraulic servo actuator assembly P/N 206-076-062-103 installed. The AD defines the unsafe condition as loose or misaligned parts of the servo. This condition could result in failure of the servo and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

 

Due to the urgent nature of the AD affecting flight safety, a request for comments was not possible prior to it becoming effective. The FAA is now giving interested parties until March 25, 2013 to submit economic, environmental, energy or federalism impacts from adopting this AD. The address for the submission of comments is given in the attached document.

 

Compliance information can be found in the Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206L-11-169, Revision B, dated Aug. 29, 2011 which requires a one-time inspection for loose or misaligned parts of the servos. The inspection should be accomplished before the next flight, unless previously accomplished.