COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Robinson R22 Series Helicopters
AD/R22/43 Tail Rotor Blades 1/96 TX
Applicability: All Model R22 series helicopters.
Requirement: To detect bogus tail rotor blades and remove them from service, accomplish one of the following documentation checks:
- Compare the tail rotor blade serial numbers with the serial numbers listed in the aircraft log book or records to ensure that the blades on the helicopter are either:
a) The blades installed when the helicopter was manufactured or overhauled by the Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) factory, or
b) Replacement blades that were purchased either directly from RHC, or from RHC via a Robinson Service Centre.
If records show that the tail rotor blades were installed on the helicopter by RHC, or the blades were purchased from RHC either directly or via a Robinson Service Centre, no further action is required.
2. If the blades were replaced after the helicopter left RHC, determine the identity of the organisation and the name and license number of the maintenance person who installed the replacement blades. If available, obtain a copy of the FAA 8130-3 Airworthiness Tag, RHC yellow Maintenance Release Tag, and the invoice showing the purchase of the blades from RHC and fax this information to RHC Customer Service (Fax No. 1 310 539 5198) for verification.
If RHC verify the tail rotor blades as approved parts no further action is required. If the history of any blade cannot be determined or RHC cannot verify the blades as approved parts, replace the blades before further flight. The finding of any bogus parts must be reported to:
CASA Airworthiness Branch Attention: Mr B Hole
GPO Box 2005
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Fax 6 268 4594
Note: NZ CAA AD DCA/R22/29 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, before further flight after 31 December 1995.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Background: A New Zealand R22 helicopter was involved in a recent fatal accident which had resulted from the separation of a tail rotor blade from its root fitting during flight. An unauthorised repair had been carried out and a de-bonding occurred. Further investigation in conjunction with the Robinson Helicopter Company established that the failed blade was from an R22 that had crashed in California in 1993. The skin on the failed blade had been replaced and bonded to the root fitting with an unapproved adhesive by parties unknown. There may be other R22 helicopters in operation with similar bogus tail rotor blades.