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97-21-09: Engine Main Electrical Harness Assembly

FAA order 97-21-09 is an airworthiness directive in force since December 3, 1997. The FAA's subject line: Engine Main Electrical Harness Assembly. System: engine.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Engine
Makes
—
Models
250-C47B

Dates and paperwork

In force since
December 3, 1997
Published
November 18, 1997
Docket
97-ANE-40-AD
Replaces
96-24-09
Replaced by
98-10-03
Status
Historical
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

This amendment supersedes existing airworthiness directive (AD) 96-24-09, applicable to Allison Engine Company Model 250-C47B turboshaft engines, that currently requires replacing the engine main electrical harness assembly with an improved assembly, disabling the overspeed solenoid, inspecting the engine control unit (ECU) internal PW10 voltage to determine electrical noise characteristics, and replacing units not considered serviceable. In addition, the existing AD requires adding a placard to the helicopter instrument panel notifying the pilot that the overspeed protection system is disabled and removes a placard which was required by priority letter AD 96-21-12; revises the Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada Ltd. (BHTC) Model 407 Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM); and requires maintenance actions to clear the ECU of faults prior to each flight. This amendment continues to require replacing the engine main electrical harness assembly with an improved assembly, but adds the requirements to install a new hydromechanical unit (HMU) and ECU, removing the placard notifying the pilot that the overspeed protection system is disabled, and revises the BHTC Model 407 RFM. This amendment is prompted by the development of overspeed protection system modifications to reactivate the overspeed solenoid in conjunction with raising the power turbine overspeed trip point and revising the overspeed system to default to a minimum fuel flow in the event of its activation. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent uncommanded inflight engine shutdowns, which can result in autorotation, forced landing, and possible loss of the helicopter.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (4,758 characters)
97-21-09 Allison Engine Company: Amendment 39-10162. Docket 97-ANE-40-AD. Supersedes AD 96-24-09, Amendment 39-9834. Applicability: Allison Engine Company Model 250-C47B turboshaft engines, installed on but not limited to Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada Ltd. (BHTC) Model 407 helicopters. Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent uncommanded inflight engine shutdowns, which can result in autorotation, forced landing, and possible loss of the helicopter, accomplish the following: (a) Prior to further flight, replace the engine main electrical harness assembly, Part Number (P/N) 23062796, with an improved assembly, P/N 23065805, in accordance with Allison Engine Company Alert Commercial Engine Bulletin (CEB) CEB-A-73-6010, dated October 15, 1996. (b) Prior to January 31, 1998, install a new hydromechanical unit (HMU) and engine control unit (ECU) in accordance with Allison Engine Company Alert CEB-A-73-6015, Revision 1, dated July 30, 1997, or Revision 2, dated October 31, 1997. (c) After completing the requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD, and then prior to further flight: (1) Remove the "OVRSPD SYSTEM INOP" placard required by paragraph (d) of AD 96-24-09, and (2) Revise the FAA-approved Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) by removing the pages added by paragraph (f) of AD 96-24-09, and incorporate BHTC Flight Manual BHT-407-FM-1, Revision 5, dated June 24, 1997. (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office. Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, if any, may be obtained from the Chicago Aircraft Certification Office. (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (f) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance with the following service documents: Document No. Pages Revision Date Allison Engine Company Alert CEB-A-73-6010 Total Pages: 7. 1-7 Original October 15, 1996 Allison Engine Company Alert CEB-A-73-6015 Total Pages: 4 1-4 1 July 30, 1997 Allison Engine Company Alert CEB-A-73-6015 Total pages: 4. 1-4 2 October 31, 1997 BHTC Flight Manual BHT-407-FM-1 Cover 5 June 24, 1997 NP 3 July 30, 1996 A,B 5 June 24, 1997 C/D 5 June 24, 1997 1-3 5 June 24, 1997 1-4 4 November 4, 1996 1-7, 1-8 5 June 24, 1997 1-13 4 November 4, 1996 1-14 5 June 24, 1997 1-14A/ 14B 5 June 24, 1997 1-19/ 1-20 5 June 24, 1997 2-3 5 June 24, 1997 2-4 1 March 8, 1996 2-7 - 2-10 5 June 24, 1997 2-13, 2-14 5June 24, 1997 3-3 - 3-5 5 June 24, 1997 3-6 2 May 9, 1996 3-7, 3-8 5 June 24, 1997 3-15 5 June 24, 1997 3-16 2 May 9, 1996 3-17 - 3-22 5 June 24, 1997 4-5, 4-6 5 June 24, 1997 4-9 Original February 9, 1996 4-10 - 4-12 5 June 24, 1997 Total pages: 40 This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Allison Engine Company, P.O. Box 420, Speed Code P-40A, Indianapolis, IN 46206-0420; telephone (317) 230-2720, fax (317) 230-3381. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (g) This amendment becomes effective on December 3, 1997.

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 7, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/97-21-09.json · aircraft systems.