Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-9147 · MD Helicopters, Inc. Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. Helicopters
This AD applies to MD Helicopters, Inc. 369, 369A, 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS.
The models as the FAA's AD index lists them. The serial ranges, installed parts and exceptions are in the AD itself: read it at the FAA.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems and Hughes Helicopters, Inc. Model 369, OH-6A, and YOH-6A series helicopters. This action requires initial and repetitive inspections of the tail rotor blade abrasion strip (abrasion strip), installation of stainless steel abrasion tape over the inboard end of the abrasion strip, and as a terminating action, installation of a tail rotor blade with a new-design abrasion strip. This amendment is prompted by several incidents of riveted abrasion strips debonding and separating during flight, resulting in severe out-of-balance conditions and subsequent separation of the tail rotor gearbox from the helicopter. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent loss of the abrasion strip, separation of a tail rotor blade, separation of the tail rotor gearbox, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
