SAFO 23008: Suspected Unapproved Parts from a Bell Helicopter Textron (BHT)-206L.

Distributed by: Flight Standards

http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo/all_safos___________ A SAFO contains important safety information and may include recommended action. Besides the specific action recommended in a SAFO, an alternative action may be as effective in addressing the safety issue named in the SAFO. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.

Subject: Suspected Unapproved Parts from a Bell Helicopter Textron (BHT)-206L.

Purpose: This SAFO alerts aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, suppliers, distributors, and maintenance personnel of the sale of salvaged BHT 206 parts.

Background: On December 8, 2016, a Chilean Bell BHT-206L, serial number 45617, was involved in an accident in the Province of Biobío located in central Chile. The Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics of Chile (DGAC), the civilian aviation authority of Chile, conducted an investigation (DGAC report No. 1800CG) that revealed the main rotor blades struck the tail structure of the helicopter. The investigation concluded that maintenance records for the rotor blades did not include the damage history or a reference to the required inspections and maintenance specified by the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.

Given the current circumstances, there is a high degree of probability that the helicopter rotor blades, subject aircraft parts and components repaired by Mr. Robert Schlotzhauer from Blue Springs, MO and sold by Fantasy Flight, LLC may have been incorrectly repaired and returned to service, then sold as a serviceable item.

Discussion: All the listed parts and maintenance records, either associated with Mr. Schlotzhauer, Fantasy Flight, LLC, or the helicopter involved in the accident (Bell BHT-206L, serial no. 45617), should be reexamined before installation or use. The suspected parts nomenclature and associated identification numbers are listed below.

Quantity Nomenclature Part Number Serial Number

2 Rotor Blade 206-015-001-115 A-4292

A-6313

1 Fan Assembly 206-040-370-105 unknown

2 Rotor Brake Assembly 40000397-2 AUG 78-1337

SEP 78-1501

1 Drive Shaft Assembly 206-040-15 AMN-10587

SAFOSafety Alert for Operators

U.S. Department

of Transportation

Federal Aviation

Administration

SAFO 23008

DATE: 10/17/23

Flight Standards Service

Washington, DC

Distributed by: Flight Standards

Quantity Nomenclature Part Number Serial Number

1 Freewheel Assembly 206-040-270-9 BMB45682

1 Shaft Assembly 206-040-370-003 unknown

1 Yoke Assembly 206-011-100-129 AAB-03085

1 Swashplate Assembly 206-010-450-011 REJG-10900

1 Mast Assembly 206-040-535-105 FA1510

1 Main Rotor Transmission 206-040-004-101 BMC-00389

1 Tail Rotor Gearbox 206-040-402-105 AMM01611

Recommended Action: Aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, suppliers, distributors, and maintenance personnel are encouraged to accomplish a thorough review of their aircraft, aircraft records, and parts inventories for any article traceable to Mr. Schlotzhauer, Fantasy Flight, LLC, or to the helicopter involved in the accident (Bell BHT-206L, serial no. 45617). Any affected articles identified should be reexamined before installation or use.

Contact: Questions or comments regarding this SAFO should be directed to the Aircraft Maintenance Division at (202) 267-1675, or via email at 9-AWA-AFS-300-Maintenance@faa.gov; as well as the Kansas City Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) at (816) 329-4000.