Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-13053 · Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 Helicopters
Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 Helicopters
Model R44 helicopters, up to and including serial number 1208, except serial numbers 1143, 1165, 1183, 1189, 1192, 1196, 1197, 1198, 1200, 1203, and 1204, with pitch control assembly, part number (P/N) C031-1, Revision G or prior, installed, certificated in any category.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) Model R44 helicopters that requires inspecting the tail rotor pitch control assembly for roughness or binding of the pitch control bearings (bearings) by hand-rotating the pitch control bearing housing (housing). If the housing does not rotate freely, the AD requires replacing the unairworthy pitch control assembly with an airworthy unit. This amendment is prompted by reports of failure of the tail rotor pitch control assembly due to improperly lubricated bearings on the RHC Model R22 helicopters. Although there have been no reported failures on the RHC Model R44 helicopters, the design of the tail rotor pitch control assembly makes it susceptible to the same failures as have occurred on the Model R22 helicopters. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect corrosion of the bearings and to prevent bearing failure and subsequent loss of directional control of the helicopter.
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
