Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21726 · Tail rotor blades
Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2022-19-12. Comply with the one in force.
Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 and R44 II helicopters, certificated in any category, with a tail rotor blade (blade) part number (P/N) C029-3 with serial number (S/N) 9410 through 9909 inclusive, installed.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked tail rotor blades (blades). This AD requires checking each blade for any crack and removing any cracked blade from service. This AD also requires removing all affected blades from service and prohibits installing any affected blade on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) Before further flight and thereafter before each flight, check each blade at the leading edge for a crack. This action 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 crack, before further flight, remove the blade from service.
(3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a blade identified in paragraph (c) of this AD on any helicopter.
(4) Within three months after the effective date of this AD, remove from service any blade identified in paragraph (c) 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
