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-   -   AB 206 issues (https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/626348-ab-206-issues.html)

formerlongbox 14th Oct 2019 19:37

AB 206 issues
 
As we are aware the Agusta 206’s fitted with Bell parts fitted are now potentially grounded unless the parts have been changed over to Agusta. The recent MR blade AD that came out recently, mainly aimed at the -33 blades that require a boro scope have seen even more AB 206’s grounded, as many blades have failed.. All of this is resulting in many previously perfectly serviceable Jet Rangers now sitting in hangers, I have four in mine that require Agusta parts or blades to go back into service. The 2 reg accepted a few as long as the Bell parts fitted were pre 2006. My thoughts are, has anyone found a good solution outside of the 2 reg, or would it make sense to see what could be done, parts wise between owners to get aircraft back in the air? A share of parts requirement, Bell swap etc, I am happy to help where I can, just seems wasteful to have them grounded.

flight beyond sight 15th Oct 2019 07:19

we have the same issue any advice welcome

formerlongbox 15th Oct 2019 18:45

What parts do you need, I have some, also there must be a way of looking at what’s needed by everyone and looking what can be exchanged etc, either that or they are grounded until we find a alternative authority

havick 15th Oct 2019 22:41

Sounds like anyone who’s been hoarding AB junk is now sitting on a pile of gold dust instead of just dust.

flight beyond sight 16th Oct 2019 06:34


Originally Posted by formerlongbox (Post 10595134)
What parts do you need, I have some, also there must be a way of looking at what’s needed by everyone and looking what can be exchanged etc, either that or they are grounded until we find a alternative authority

2 main rotor blades

206 jock 16th Oct 2019 06:37


Originally Posted by havick (Post 10595309)
Sounds like anyone who’s been hoarding AB junk is now sitting on a pile of gold dust instead of just dust.

Only if they also have the right release paperwork. Sadly this has been a ticking timebomb for at least 12 years. I shed an emotional but grateful tear when I sold mine in 2008.

Unfortunately you have a manufacturer in Leonardo who have zero interest in keeping these aircraft flying.

Good lock with your initiative Formerlongbox. I will have a look and see if I have anything lying about that might help someone.

krypton_john 16th Oct 2019 18:40

Could you put them on the experimental category with mixed parts?

Northernstar 16th Oct 2019 20:39

For the uninformed which blades are allowed on AB206’s v B206’s? Any composite blades? Tail rotor which versions also? Do I remember that AB206’s have odd instrument panels compared with B206’s? Forgive my curiosity.

206 jock 17th Oct 2019 10:13

Well, this is the original bombshell letter, way back in 2006.

https://www.caa.co.uk/uploadedFiles/...-004%20(2).pdf

Until that point, the custom and practice was that you could install Bell parts on Agusta Bell machines, but not the other way round. But the industry took a fairly relaxed view of implementing this instruction, hence why we are where we are now.

So I would hazard a guess that the failing -033 blades can only be replaced by -133 blades. I recall though that you cannot purchase new blades now from Bell (and even if you could they were $$$$$s last time I looked), only lease (that correct?). So even if you wanted to purchase a set of -133 blades, then ship them to Leonardo for certification by Agusta, you can't.

formerlongbox 17th Oct 2019 19:17

Northern star, post 2006 the only MR blades you can fit on a AB206 are Agusta ones, which are very rare. The composite tail rotor blades currently are only able to be fitted to the Bell 206. You cannot fit any Agusta parts to a Bell, which has always been the case.

there must be a way of seeing what everyone needs and what could be moved around, allowing for any Bell parts that could be sold on etc.

claudia 17th Oct 2019 20:01

FLB. Not so sure you can ‘move around parts’. My understanding from distant memory
is that once a Bell part is on an Agusta it cannot be removed and then fitted to a Bell.
The part is now effectively scrap ie not legal on the Agusta and not legal on the Bell
because of the Agusta history.!

claudia 17th Oct 2019 20:46

Some years ago it was possible to get a certificate of conformity from Agusta for certain Bell
parts if currently fitted to an Agusta. is that still possible.?

formerlongbox 17th Oct 2019 21:32

That’s not quite true, if you have a Bell component card then its Bell and can be fitted back to a Bell even if it’s been fitted to an Augusta. You historically could get a form of no objection from AW however post 2006 that’s no longer available

krypton_john 17th Oct 2019 22:21


Originally Posted by 206 jock (Post 10596537)
Well, this is the original bombshell letter, way back in 2006.

https://www.caa.co.uk/uploadedFiles/...-004%20(2).pdf

Until that point, the custom and practice was that you could install Bell parts on Agusta Bell machines, but not the other way round. But the industry took a fairly relaxed view of implementing this instruction, hence why we are where we are now.

So I would hazard a guess that the failing -033 blades can only be replaced by -133 blades. I recall though that you cannot purchase new blades now from Bell (and even if you could they were $$$$$s last time I looked), only lease (that correct?). So even if you wanted to purchase a set of -133 blades, then ship them to Leonardo for certification by Agusta, you can't.

Seems unambiguous from this letter that Bell parts can be installed on the AB equivalent aircraft - why is that now not the case then?

206 jock 18th Oct 2019 06:15


Originally Posted by krypton_john (Post 10597104)
Seems unambiguous from this letter that Bell parts can be installed on the AB equivalent aircraft - why is that now not the case then?

I think you need to re-read the bottom line of the first page....

choppersquad5 20th Oct 2019 18:42

I was planning to move my AB 206 onto a 2 Reg but wasn’t
aware of the issue mentioned in the above string regarding parts needing to be prior to 2006.
I haven’t tried to make contact with Leonardo but i’d would be happy to work with a group
and contact leonardo.

PEASACAKE 26th Oct 2019 12:29

I wonder how long it will be until a AB206 owner holds their maintenance company responsible for fitting non Agusta parts to their helicopters, and asks them to rectify it at the maintenance companies cost.

What about the gearboxes, masts, freewheels, Main Rotor Heads etc that have been repaired or overhauled using Bell parts, do they have to be removed. If so did the overhaul shop have authority to fit them.............

If you bought an AB206 in the last few years, did it have any Bell parts on it, did you have a survey by an engineer to make sure there were NO Bell parts on it.

Glad I sold mine a few years ago, that was a close one.


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