Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22681 · Tail rotor blades
Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters
This AD applies to the Robinson Helicopter Company helicopters, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD.
(1) Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner helicopters with tail rotor blade (TRB) part number (P/N) A029-2 with TRB serial numbers (S/N) up to 11279 inclusive (P/N A029-2 REV A through U inclusive), installed;
(2) Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with TRB P/N C029-3 with TRB S/N up to 14329 inclusive (P/N C029-3 REV A through Q inclusive), installed; and
(3) Model R66 helicopters with TRB P/N F029-1 with TRB S/N up to 3099 inclusive (P/N F029-1 REV A through F inclusive), installed.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Robinson Helicopter Company Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44, R44 II, and R66 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of helicopters losing a tail rotor blade (TRB) tip cap. This AD requires visually checking and inspecting certain part-numbered and serial-numbered TRB tip caps for evidence of corrosion and, depending on the results, removing the corrosion. This AD also requires removing all affected TRBs from service and prohibits installing them on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD and thereafter before the first flight of each day, visually check each TRB tip cap area (at and adjacent to the tip cap bond line on each surface and edge of the TRB) for an exposed tip cap bond line or bubbled paint, as depicted in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. These items may indicate evidence of corrosion. The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may accomplish this TRB tip cap check and must enter compliance with this paragraph of the AD into the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
(2) Within 100 hours TIS or during the next 100 hour or annual inspection after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS or during the next 100 hour or annual inspection, whichever occurs first, visually inspect each TRB tip cap area (at and adjacent to the tip cap bond line on each surface and edge of the TRB) for evidence of corrosion, which may be indicated by an exposed tip cap bond line or bubbled paint, as depicted in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
(3) As a result of the actions required by either paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, if there is evidence of corrosion, an exposed tip cap bond line, or bubbled paint, before further flight, remove all of the corrosion.
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(3): Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Service Letter SL-93, R44 Service Letter SL-82, and R66 Service Letter SL-40, each dated June 30, 2021 (co-published as one document), provide information regarding removing corrosion from TRBs.
(4) Within 10 months of the effective date of this AD, remove all TRBs identified in paragraph (c) of this AD from service.
(5) As of 10 months after the effective date of this AD, do not install a TRB identified in paragraph (c) of this AD on any 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.
