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ADs updated daily at www.Tdata.com
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| 2024-04-02 |
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY: Amendment 39-22681; Docket No. FAA-2023-2232; Project Identifier AD-2023-00943-R. |
(a) EFFECTIVE DATE
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 2, 2024.
(b) AFFECTED ADS
None.
(c) APPLICABILITY
This AD applies to the Robinson Helicopter Company helicopters, cer-
tificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3)
of this AD.
(1) Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner helicopters with tail
rotor blade (TRB) part number (P/N) A029-2 with TRB serial numbers
(S/N) up to 11279 inclusive (P/N A029-2 REV A through U inclusive),
installed;
(2) Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with TRB P/N C029-3 with TRB S/N up
to 14329 inclusive (P/N C029-3 REV A through Q inclusive), installed;
and
(3) Model R66 helicopters with TRB P/N F029-1 with TRB S/N up to 3099 in-
clusive (P/N F029-1 REV A through F inclusive), installed.
(d) SUBJECT
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6410, Tail Rotor Blades.
(e) UNSAFE CONDITION
This AD was prompted by reports of helicopters losing a TRB tip cap.
The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and prevent TRB tip cap failures.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in increased
vibrations, reduced controllability, and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
(f) COMPLIANCE
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless al-
ready done.
(g) REQUIRED ACTIONS
(1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this
AD and thereafter before the first flight of each day, visually check
each TRB tip cap area (at and adjacent to the tip cap bond line on
each surface and edge of the TRB) for an exposed tip cap bond line or
bubbled paint, as depicted in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
These items may indicate evidence of corrosion. The owner/operator
(pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may accomplish
this TRB tip cap check and must enter compliance with this paragraph
of the AD into the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with
14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as
required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
ILLUSTRATION (Figure 1)
(2) Within 100 hours TIS or during the next 100 hour or annual inspection
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, and
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS or during the next
100 hour or annual inspection, whichever occurs first, visually
inspect each TRB tip cap area (at and adjacent to the tip cap bond
line on each surface and edge of the TRB) for evidence of corrosion,
which may be indicated by an exposed tip cap bond line or bubbled
paint, as depicted in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
(3) As a result of the actions required by either paragraph (g)(1) or (2)
of this AD, if there is evidence of corrosion, an exposed tip cap bond
line, or bubbled paint, before further flight, remove all of the cor-
rosion.
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(3): Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Service Letter
SL-93, R44 Service Letter SL-82, and R66 Service Letter SL-40, each dated
June 30, 2021 (co-published as one document), provide information regard-
ing removing corrosion from TRBs.
(4) Within 10 months of the effective date of this AD, remove all TRBs
identified in paragraph (c) of this AD from service.
(5) As of 10 months after the effective date of this AD, do not install a
TRB identified in paragraph (c) of this AD on any helicopter.
(h) ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF COMPLIANCE (AMOCS)
(1) The Manager, West Certification Branch, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in
14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to
your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the
West Certification Branch, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to: 9-ANM-LAACO-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal in-
spector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local
flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.
(i) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(1) For more information about this AD, contact James Guo, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone:
(562) 627-5357; email: james.guo@faa.gov.
(2) For service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated
by reference, contact Robinson Helicopter Company, Technical Support
Department, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505; phone (310) 539-
0508; fax (310) 539-5198; email ts1@robinsonheli.com; or website robin
sonheli.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Office
of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway,
Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(j) MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
Issued on February 13, 2024. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance
& Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Guo, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (562) 627-5357; email
james.guo@faa.gov.
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