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Thomas Coupling H Addict


 Joined: Jul 26, 2004 Posts: 490 Location: How do I know...The map is on the back seat!

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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:02 am Post subject: ***Important - Please read - B206 AD*** |
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We've all heard and read about the very sad accident involving the b206 pipeline patrol cab which lost it's vertical fin, killing the crew.
I received the official CAA document only yesterday resultant from the AAIB investigation. It states that during the next 100-hour inspection, the vertical fin must be inspected for loose securing bolts.
Oh yeah - Inspect it NOW dear people!!
I spoke to my engineer over the phone (Thanks Mr Massey) and suggested that it would be prudent to do the inspection ASAP as we've just recently had a 100 check.
As I was obviously concerned, he asked me to use a 7/16th ring spanner and see if I could turn any of the bolts in question.....
Guess what? All four were loose
For crying out loud - please check the bolts NOW!! _________________ TC - Pilot to the Stars.
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James T Lowe Moderator


 Joined: Jul 27, 2004 Posts: 2575 Location: Leicester

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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:36 am Post subject: |
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Do you know if those bolts are checked on any scheduled inspection? _________________ J. |
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Thomas Coupling H Addict


 Joined: Jul 26, 2004 Posts: 490 Location: How do I know...The map is on the back seat!

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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:28 am Post subject: |
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Not that I know of...
The machine had an annual back in February - It certainly wasn't picked up then, even though the Canadian AD had been issued earlier than February.
Scary stuff  _________________ TC - Pilot to the Stars.
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James T Lowe Moderator


 Joined: Jul 27, 2004 Posts: 2575 Location: Leicester

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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:08 am Post subject: |
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Not that I know anything about engineeringy type things, but it strikes me as a little odd that checking of these bolts isn't part of either a pilot check, or an engineering check.
I'd guess from your original post, that it's not too difficult to get to them? _________________ J. |
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Thomas Coupling H Addict


 Joined: Jul 26, 2004 Posts: 490 Location: How do I know...The map is on the back seat!

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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:04 am Post subject: |
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Oh very easy In fact....
But where do you stop checking? Have you seen the amount of nuts, bolts & screws A visual check is always prudent and some screws are designed (Along the tail boom) so that movement can be identified by a visual check. Not these however. They are torqued bolts on roller type sleaves. _________________ TC - Pilot to the Stars.
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James T Lowe Moderator


 Joined: Jul 27, 2004 Posts: 2575 Location: Leicester

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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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Well, quite. So perhaps not Check A; but maybe part of wider, less frequent, engineery type checks. I don't suppose it needs to be as frequent as 50 hours. Like I said - I don't know about such things.
I guess it'll be part of everyone's checks now. _________________ J. |
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Bell417 Starting to 'Torque


 Joined: Mar 18, 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Ft. Worth, TX

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Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 1:10 am Post subject: |
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I have been taught to check them on every preflight...allow me to elaborate, our bolt heads have torque-seal applied..if the bolts have come loose, the torque-seal will have given it away through visual inspection... _________________ The comments and postings on this site by me are of my own and do not
neccessarily represent Bell Helicopter's position, strategies or
opinions. |
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Thomas Coupling H Addict


 Joined: Jul 26, 2004 Posts: 490 Location: How do I know...The map is on the back seat!

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Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:23 am Post subject: |
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Good for you...
Ours don't.
This AD refers to the NUT on the inside becoming loose - which wouldn't necessarily turn the bolt head being held by torque-paint. And of course can't be seen
see; http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/536/LTO2897.pdf _________________ TC - Pilot to the Stars.
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Thomas Coupling H Addict


 Joined: Jul 26, 2004 Posts: 490 Location: How do I know...The map is on the back seat!

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Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:56 pm Post subject: |
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As an update....
I've spoken with the CAA this afternoon who agree that the 100 hour/next inspection as suggested in the AD should read "Before next flight" and hopefully will be changing it ASAP.
A B206 fleet in the UK fly on average only 150 hours per year.
A private owner might not get this checked therefore within the next 11 months! _________________ TC - Pilot to the Stars.
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Last edited by Thomas Coupling on Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:47 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Flying Foxy H Addict


 Joined: Oct 12, 2004 Posts: 1003 Location: EGSY (Sheffield) Once a city with an airport :-(

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Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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TC said: Quote: | They are torqued bolts on roller type sleeves.
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Is there any chance you could elaborate (with diags?) on this 'roller-type sleeve' fixing please TC - I'd like to have a picture in my mind..
Cheers,
FF _________________ PPL(H)
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biggruntbravo Starting to 'Torque


 Joined: Aug 03, 2005 Posts: 32

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Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 12:08 am Post subject: |
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is this more of a common occurance? i am in the u.s. army flight school (rotary wing) and that is all we use is a bell jetranger 206 for primary (vfr) and intruments. this is the first i have heard of this occurance happening to one of those since i have been around these helicopters. you are correct by checking the vertical fin during pre-flight, as well as the tail rotor spike, i will as my instructor tomorrow if he has ever heard of such an occurance but i was wondering if this was more than just one in recent years/months? last accident i have heard of with B206 is compressor pretty much disintergrated or bird strikes through the windscreen. |
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Thomas Coupling H Addict


 Joined: Jul 26, 2004 Posts: 490 Location: How do I know...The map is on the back seat!

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Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:41 am Post subject: |
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Flying Foxy wrote: | TC said: Quote: | They are torqued bolts on roller type sleeves.
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Is there any chance you could elaborate (with diags?) on this 'roller-type sleeve' fixing please TC - I'd like to have a picture in my mind..
Cheers,
FF |
I'd love to help FF but can't lay my hands on any... See the link to the CAA site in the posting above - that has a diagram of sorts - tho not much cop. _________________ TC - Pilot to the Stars.
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James T Lowe Moderator


 Joined: Jul 27, 2004 Posts: 2575 Location: Leicester

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Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:55 am Post subject: |
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BGB,
This AD results from an accident in Scotland in December. The Helitorque thread here has some details.
The AAIB report has not yet been published, however, the AAIB issued a Special Bulletin in March following their initial investigations. And I'd guess that as the investigation continues, more critical information has come to light and the CAA have issued the AD.
I think this particular "issue" is rare; indeed, the CAA's document that TC links to includes this:
Quote: | A review of the service history of the aircraft type has not revealed evidence of multiple occurrences of cracking in this area. Of the three known instances of cracking in the world fleet, this is the first recorded fatal accident. |
_________________ J. |
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Flying Foxy H Addict


 Joined: Oct 12, 2004 Posts: 1003 Location: EGSY (Sheffield) Once a city with an airport :-(

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Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 11:52 am Post subject: |
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Ok TC, (I've always wanted to put that!!!)
I was talking with a Maintenance Man this morning and asked him about the situation.
(This recounting of info is not to be taken as legitimate or to be actioned on or anything - it was a description by one guy to another)
There are two types of tail fin or mounting. (Not sure which - we were just chatting, but the .pdf suggests a later type of fin being a one-piece assembly where the earlier one is a composite?). The bolts through the fin into the mounting pass through sleeves which prevent the fin and tailboom being crushed when torque-ing the nuts. The mount is the frame upon which the t/r gearbox sits as shown in the .pdf.
Now I can visualise it - the tension is between the bolt head and its nut via the frame.
FF _________________ PPL(H)
Schweizer 300 |
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James T Lowe Moderator


 Joined: Jul 27, 2004 Posts: 2575 Location: Leicester

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Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:20 pm Post subject: |
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 _________________ J. |
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