EASA SIB 2007-24: WITHDRAWN: SEE TRANSPORT CANADA AD CF-2007-14, -15 and -16; and ENAC ITALY AD 2007-324

What to do

Operators and maintenance personnel should review and comply with Transport Canada ADs CF-2007-14, CF-2007-15, CF-2007-16, and ENAC Italy AD 2007-324 to inspect and rectify any issues with the tail rotor driveshaft disc assemblies. No new EASA AD compliance is required, but national aviation authorities may enforce these ADs under their jurisdiction. For further information, contact EASA's Airworthiness Directives Section via email at ADs@easa.europa.eu.

Summary

EASA Safety Information Notice No. 2007-24 is a safety information notice addressing tail rotor driveshaft (Thomas Couplings) disc assemblies on Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 206 Series, 206L Series, 230, 407, 427, and 430 helicopters, as well as Agusta Model AB206 A/B series helicopters. The notice references Transport Canada Airworthiness Directives CF-2007-14, CF-2007-15, CF-2007-16, and ENAC Italy Emergency AD 2007-324, which identify issues with disc assemblies manufactured between November 1, 2005, and November 30, 2006. These discs may have improper thickness or incorrect indexing, posing a safety risk.

What changed

This notice withdraws the previous EASA Airworthiness Directive and instead refers operators to the Transport Canada and ENAC Italy ADs for corrective actions. It clarifies that EASA will not issue its own AD because the unsafe condition arises from improperly installed parts rather than a design approval issue. The notice serves to inform stakeholders of the serious safety concern and directs them to comply with the referenced foreign ADs.

Why it matters

This information is critical for operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams managing affected Bell and Agusta helicopters to ensure tail rotor driveshaft safety. Failure to address the issue could lead to unsafe flight conditions due to faulty disc assemblies. Understanding the regulatory responsibilities and following the appropriate ADs helps maintain airworthiness and regulatory compliance.