Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16521 · Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner Helicopters, and Model R44, and R44 II Helicopters
Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner Helicopters, and Model R44, and R44 II Helicopters
Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 0002 through 3325, that have more than 2,200 hours total time-in-service (TIS); and Model R44, and R44 II helicopters, S/N 0001 through 1200, that have more than 2,200 hours total TIS, certificated in any category.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Robinson Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner helicopters, and Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. This AD requires visually inspecting each tail rotor (T/R) control pedal bearing block support (support) for a crack, measuring the thickness of each support, installing support safety tabs on certain supports, and replacing supports of a certain thickness during the next 2,200 hour overhaul. This amendment is prompted by two reports of Model R22 helicopters experiencing broken supports during flight, which resulted in the T/R control pedals becoming jammed. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the supports from breaking, which can bind the T/R control pedals, resulting in a reduction of yaw control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent the tail rotor (T/R) control pedal bearing block support (support) from breaking, which can bind the T/R control pedals, resulting in a reduction of yaw control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 100 hours TIS, visually inspect each A359-1 (left) and A359-2 (right) pedal support for a crack by referring to the figure in Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Service Bulletin SB-97, dated February 22, 2008 (SB-97) for all Model R22 helicopters, and Robinson Service Bulletin SB-63, dated February 22, 2008 (SB-63) for all Model R44 helicopters.
(1) If you find a crack in a support, before further flight, replace the cracked support with an airworthy support that is at least 0.050-inch thick.
(2) For each uncracked support, measure the thickness of the support. If the support is less than 0.050-inch thick, before further flight, install a safety tab on the support in accordance with steps 4 and 5 of the Compliance Procedures section in SB-97 or SB-63, as appropriate for your model helicopter.
(b) At the next 2,200 hours TIS overhaul, replace any support that is less than 0.050-inch thick, with an airworthy support that is at least 0.050-inch thick.
(c) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, ATTN: Eric D. Schrieber, Aviation Safety Engineer, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 627-5348, fax (562) 627-5210 (regarding Model R22 helicopters); or ATTN: Fred Guerin, Aviation Safety Engineer, telephone (562) 627-5232, fax (562) 627-5210 (regarding Model R44 helicopters) for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
(d) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 6720: Tail Rotor Control System.
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
