Inspect engine inlet for foreign matter.
Open the starboard hatch of the engine compartment. Examine the starboard and lower engine mounts and attachment bolts for security.
Carefully examine all pipes, leads, control links, ducts and mountings for signs of leaks, damage or corrosion. All joints in the combustion section must be examined for cracks, buckling and overheating, including welds. Check magnetic plug in freewheel assembly for particles (not 206L). Check exhaust ducts for FOD damage and fluid in bottom. Inspect ignition and electrical harnesses. Operate throttle, check stops. Check chip detectors. Close cover.
Open the cover over the engine oil tank filler cap. Remove the cap and check dipstick for correct oil level. Replenish as necessary. Replace cap, close and secure the cover.
On the Bell 206L, ensure the oil cooler blower is free from instructions.
Examine the tail cone to fuselage attachment for movement by looking through the fuselage immediately behind the attachment and ensuring that there is an even distribution of spacing throughout. The panel (with all the bolts in) is a structural panel, and the machine should not be moved if it is off.
Examine the complete length of the tail rotor drive cover for security and signs of damage. The fasteners should all be in the same direction at 45° to the vertical/horizontal, except the last, which should be vertical, but this is more of a function of whether they were put on that way in the first place. A better move is to tap each fastener to see if it is loose. Examine the complete length of the tail cone assembly for signs of rippling and riveting for security.
Examine starboard stabiliser and green navigation light. Grasp and move up and down listening for cracking. Check twisting of retaining bolt. On the Bell 206L, ensure free movement of the elevator assembly.
Examine the vertical stabiliser, tail skid and anti-collision beacon for security and signs of damage. Examine rear navigation light. Look through the hole on top of the tail skid attachment point for evidence of heavy landing.