Sat, Jun 18, 2011
AD NUMBER: 2011-12-10
MANUFACTURER: Robinson Helicopter Company Model
(Robinson) R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44, and R44 II
Helicopters
SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2011-12-10
SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing
airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Robinson model
helicopters that currently requires a visual inspection for skin
separation along the leading edge of blade skin aft of the
skin-to-spar bond line on the lower surface of each main rotor
blade (blade) and in the tip cap area.
The existing AD also requires a 'tap test' for detecting a
separation or void in both bonded areas and repainting any exposed
area of the blades. If any separation or void is detected, the AD
requires, before further flight, replacing the blade. Thereafter,
before each flight, the existing AD also requires checking for any
exposed (bare) metal along the skin-to-spar bond line on the lower
surface of each blade near the tip. If any bare metal is found,
that AD requires an inspection by a qualified mechanic.
This amendment contains the same requirements but expands the
applicability to include all serial-numbered model helicopters and
limits the applicability to specific blade part numbers. This
amendment also requires a repetitive inspection of the blade and
any necessary rework. This amendment is prompted by a fatal
accident in Israel. The FAA has also included responses to comments
objecting to the recording requirements in the current AD relating
to the pilot checks before each flight and to comments that the
burden of the before-each-flight pilot check exceeds the benefit.
It has concluded that a check before the first flight of each day
is sufficient for aviation safety. The actions specified by this AD
are intended to provide more specific AD actions, to relieve the
burdens associated with the before-each-flight check by changing it
to a daily check, to detect blade skin debond, and to prevent blade
failure and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
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