Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-9741 · Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc., AST, Inc, Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., California Department of Forestry, Global Helicopter Technology, Inc., Hagglund Helicopters, LLC, International Helicopters, Inc., Overseas Aircraft Support Inc, Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc., Robinson Air Crane, Inc., Rotorcraft Development Corporation, San Joaquin Helicopters, Smith Helicopters, Sout
Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc., AST, Inc, Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., California Department of Forestry, Global Helicopter Technology, Inc., Hagglund Helicopters, LLC, International Helicopters, Inc., Overseas Aircraft Support Inc, Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc., Robinson Air Crane, Inc., Rotorcraft Development Corporation, San Joaquin Helicopters, Smith Helicopters, Sout
This AD applies to Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc., AST, Inc, Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., California Department of Forestry, Global Helicopter Technology, Inc., Hagglund Helicopters, LLC, International Helicopters, Inc., Overseas Aircraft Support Inc, Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc., Robinson Air Crane, Inc., Rotorcraft Development Corporation, San Joaquin Helicopters, Smith Helicopters, Southern Helicopter, Inc., Southwest Florida Aviation International, Tamarack Helicopters, Inc., US Helicopter, Inc., West Coast Fabrications UH-1H, UH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1E, UH-1L, UH-1B, UH-1A, TH-1F, UH-1P, HH-1K, AH-1S.
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 document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD 96-12-26 which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI)-manufactured Model AH-1, HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires a visual inspection of each tail rotor (T/R) blade (blade) for peeling, flaking, or bubbling paint that may indicate corrosion; an inspection for corrosion, if necessary; and replacement of the T/R blade with an airworthy blade if corrosion is discovered. This amendment is prompted by an FAA determination, based on the manufacturer's data, that certain serial-numbered T/R blades were manufactured with internal leading edge doublers fabricated from clad aluminum instead of bare aluminum material. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent debonding of the main spar internal leading edge doubler, which could lead to failure of a T/R blade and subsequent loss of control of the 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.
