COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Robinson R22 Series Helicopters
AD/R22/42 Main Rotor Blades 8/96 TX
Applicability: All Model R22 Series Helicopters
Requirement: 1. Verify from the Aircraft Log Book or records that the Main Rotor Blade serial numbers are the same as installed:
(a) by the aircraft manufacturer at the time of aircraft manufacture or overhaul; or
(b) as replacement blades purchased either directly from the aircraft manufacturer, or from the aircraft manufacturer via a Australian Robinson Service Centre.
No further action is necessary if the blades were installed on the aircraft by the aircraft manufacturer, or the blades were purchased directly from the aircraft manufacturer or via a Australian Robinson Service Centre.
8130-3 Airworthiness Approval Tag (see CAAP 42W-1(0)) details and all subsequent blade time in service as recorded in the aircraft records.
If this process cannot be followed completely and the actual blade time in service not positively established, the blades must be removed from service before further flight.
3. If the Main Rotor Blades fitted are serial numbers 2657 or 2653 they must be removed from service before further flight.
4. Details of removed Main Rotor Blades are to be reported to CASA by submitting a Major Defect Report.
5. Retain removed Main Rotor Blades as required by Civil Aviation Regulation 52B. Compliance: 10 June 1996.
Background: The New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has advised that they have been investigating the supply of unapproved parts since a fatal helicopter accident in October 1995 near Opotiki, New Zealand.
CASA has been advised by the New Zealand CAA that documentation indicates that Cherry Air Specialties of Torrance, California, USA, have exported time expired Robinson Main Rotor Blades to New Zealand.
This directive has been raised following New Zealand CAA AD DCA/R22/30 to require authentication of the time in service of the Main Rotor Blades of Robinson R22 helicopters fitted to Australian registered aircraft.