Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11960 · Robinson Helicopter Company Model R22 Helicopters
Robinson Helicopter Company Model R22 Helicopters
Model R22 helicopters, with a yoke half assembly (yoke), Part number (P/ N) A203-5, installed, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For helicopters 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 (f) 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.
This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-20-51, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) Model R22 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires checking the yoke half assembly (yoke) for any crack and replacing a cracked yoke assembly before further flight. This AD also requires replacing certain yokes with airworthy yokes before further flight after January 1, 2001. This AD is prompted by the discovery of cracks in the yoke. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect crack formation and growth, which could result in separation of the yokes from the main rotor drive shaft and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent failure of a yoke, separation of a yoke from the main rotor drive shaft, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Before further flight and thereafter before the first flight of each day, check each yoke for a crack. See Figure A.
(b) If a yoke is cracked, before further flight, replace the yokes with airworthy yokes, P/N A203-7. Both yokes must be replaced with yokes, P/N A203-7.
(c) Before further flight after January 1, 2001,
(1) Determine the Lot identifier of each yoke.
(2) If the Lot identifier is from 24 through 43, if it is a letter code, or if it is illegible, replace yokes, P/N A203-5, with airworthy yokes, P/N A203-7. Yoke, P/N A203-7, cannot be installed with yoke, P/N A203-5.
Note 2: Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Service Bulletin SB-88A, dated September 13, 2000, pertains to the subject of this AD.
(d) The visual check required by paragraph (a) may be performed by an owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with paragraph (a) in accordance with 14 CFR 43.11 and 91.417(a)(2)(v).
(e) Determining that the installed yokes, P/N A203-5, are not in the lots affected by this AD, or replacing yokes, P/N A203-5, with yokes, P/N A203-7, is terminating action for the requirements of this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Aircraft
