AD/R44/26 Helipod R44 Five Place Seating Kit Removal from Service (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct an unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Robinson Helicopter Company R44 Series Helicopters

AD/R44/26 Helipod R44 Five Place
Seating Kit - Removal from Service 23/2018

Applicability:

All Robinson Helicopter Company R44 and R44 II helicopters fitted with Helipod R44 5 place kit Part Number (P/N) MHPR44BS25200.

Requirement:

Accomplish the following:

1.    Do not carry a passenger in the centre rear seat.

2.    Insert a copy of this AD into the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM), opposite the supplement for the Helipod 5 Place Kit.

3.    Remove:

(a)   rear seat P/N MHPR44BS25200 and return the aircraft to an approved seating configuration, and

(b)   the Flight Manual Supplement and AD from the AFM.

Note 1:  It has not been demonstrated that the modification kit maintains the existing level of occupant safety for the centre seat passenger in an emergency landing. The modification may also reduce the existing occupant safety features of the two other rear seats.

Note 2:  New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority AD DCA/R44/25 refers.

Compliance:

1.    From 14 December 2018, until Requirement 3 is complied with.

2.    Before 14 December 2018, unless previously accomplished.

3.    Before 14 January 2019, unless previously accomplished.

This AD commences on 9 November 2018.

Background: This AD is issued to prevent possible injury to the centre rear seat passenger in the case of an emergency landing.

Pieter van Dijk
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

1 November 2018