SAIB SW-05-25

SPECIAL

AIRWORTHINESS

INFORMATION

BULLETIN

Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

SW-05-25 January 10, 2005 www.faa.gov/certification/aircraft This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin alerts you, owners or operators of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 206B helicopters, serial numbers 3567 through 4577, and serial numbers 5101 through 5284, of information concerning the inside door handle assembly, part number 206- 031-620-101.

Background

Bell has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 206-04-102, dated September 24, 2004. The ASB has instructions for inspecting each of the four inside “D” handles for the proper spring pin length. If the inspections find that the proper pin length has not been used, the ASB has instructions for rework of the inside door handles.

Bell has received field reports that the spring pin securing the inside “D” handle assembly to the door latching mechanism may be too short.

This condition may damage the bore in the “D” handle cross bar and eventually make the handle turn freely, not opening the door.

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) has issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) CF-2004- 27, issued December 9, 2004 pertaining to this ASB.

Recommendations

We recommend that you inspect the door handle assembly and if appropriate, rework the door handle per the instructions provided in the referenced Bell ASB to ensure the continued airworthiness of the door.

For Further Information Contact

Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA Rotorcraft Directorate, ASW-111, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76137;

phone: (817) 222-5122; e-mail:

sharon.y.miles@faa.gov

For Copies of the Alert Service Bulletins, Contact

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 12800 Rue De L’Avenue, Mirabel, Quebec, J7J1R4 Canada; phone: (800) 363-8023; fax: (450) 433-0272