Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21229 · Robinson Helicopter Company
Robinson Helicopter Company
This AD applies to Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 II helicopters, certificated in any category, with an orange silicone engine air induction hose (hose) part number (P/N) A785-31 installed. This AD does not apply to helicopters with a black neoprene hose P/N A785-31 installed.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-12-18 for Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 II helicopters. AD 2019-12-18 required inspecting certain engine air induction hoses (hoses) and replacing any hose that was not airworthy. AD 2019-12-18 also prohibited the installation of certain hoses. This AD continues to require inspecting those previously affected hoses and amends the applicability, clarifies an inspection requirement, adds a requirement to repeat the inspection, and expands the installation prohibition. This AD was prompted by an additional report of separation between the outer and inner hose layers. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) For helicopters with serial numbers (S/Ns) 14168 through 14314 inclusive (except S/Ns 14269, 14287, 14299, and 14304), or with an orange silicone hose P/N A785-31 installed after October 1, 2017, and before the effective date of this AD, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD:
(i) With the hose removed, inspect the inside of the hose for separation between the outer and inner layers, and flex the hose in all directions while listening for a crinkling sound, which is an indication of separation.
(ii) If there is any separation or a crinkling sound, before further flight, remove the hose from service.
(iii) If there is no separation and no crinkling sound, and the hose is marked with code 3Q17 or 1Q18 or an illegible code, within 50 hours TIS, remove the hose from service.
(2) For all helicopters identified in paragraph (c) of this AD, accomplish the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this AD within 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD or at the next annual inspection after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS or at each annual inspection, whichever occurs first. If there is any separation or a crinkling sound, before further flight, remove the hose from service.
(3) As of July 5, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-12-18), do not install on any helicopter an orange silicone hose P/N A785-31 marked with code 1Q18.
(4) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on any helicopter an orange silicone hose P/N A785-31 marked with code 3Q17 or an illegible code.
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
