Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18032 · Main rotor blades
Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters
This AD applies to Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner helicopters with main rotor blade (blade), part number (P/N) A016-2 or A016-4; and Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with blade, P/N C016-2 or C-016-5, certificated in any category.
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-12-10 for Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44, and R44 II helicopters with certain main rotor blades (blade) installed. AD 2011-12-10 required inspecting each blade at the skin-to-spar line for debonding, corrosion, a separation, a gap, or a dent and replacing any damaged blade with an airworthy blade. This new AD also requires a terminating action for those inspection requirements. These actions are intended to detect debonding of the blade skin, which could result in blade failure and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, and to correct the unsafe condition by replacing the main rotor blades with new blades that do not require the AD inspection.
You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time.
(1) Before the first flight of each day, visually check for any exposed (bare metal) skin-to-spar joint area on the lower surface of each blade. The actions required by this paragraph may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
(2) If there is any bare metal in the area of the skin-to-spar bond line, before further flight, inspect the blade by following the requirements of paragraph (f)(3) of this AD.
(3) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), and at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS or at each annual inspection, whichever occurs first, inspect each blade for corrosion, separation, a gap, or a dent by following the Compliance Procedure, paragraphs 1 through 6 and 8, of Robinson R22 Service Bulletin SB-103, dated April 30, 2010 (SB103), or Robinson Service Bulletin SB-72, dated April 30, 2010 (SB72), as appropriate for your model helicopter. Although the Robinson service information limits the magnification to 10X, a higher magnification is acceptable for this inspection. Also, an appropriate tap test tool which provides similar performance, weight, and consistency of tone may be substituted for the “1965 or later United States Quarter-dollar coin,” which is specified in the Compliance Procedure, paragraph 2, of SB72 and SB103.
(4) Before further flight, refinish any exposed area of a blade by following the Compliance Procedure, paragraphs 2 through 6, of Robinson R22 Service Letter SL-56B or R44 Service Letter SL-32B, both dated April 30, 2010, as appropriate for your model helicopter.
(5) Before further flight, replace any unairworthy blade with an airworthy blade.
(6) Within 5 years of the effective date of this AD:
(i) For Model R22 series helicopters, replace blade P/N A016-2 or A016-4 with a blade, P/N A016-6.
(ii) For Model R44 series helicopters fitted with hydraulically boosted main rotor flight controls, replace blade P/N C016-2 or C016-5 with a blade, P/N C016-7.
(iii) For Model R44 series helicopters without hydraulically boosted main rotor flight controls, replace blade P/N C016-2 or C016-5 with a blade, P/N C016-7. Prior to installing a blade P/N C016-7, verify the helicopter has been modified as required by Robinson R44 Service Letter SL-37, dated June 18, 2010, Compliance Procedures, paragraphs 1. through 10.
(iv) Installing blades, P/N A016-6 or P/N C016-7, is terminating action for the inspection requirements of paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(4) of this AD.
(7) As an option for complying with paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, you may perform a blade inspection by following the corresponding provisions of SB-103A or SB-72A, both dated July 19, 2012, as appropriate for your model 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
