Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters
airworthiness · Rule · Final rule. · Published 2014-12-05 · Effective 2015-01-09 · 79 FR 72132
Document
Document number
2014-28478
Federal Register citation
79 FR 72132
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule.
Category
airworthiness
Manufacturer
Robinson Helicopter Company
Publication date
2014-12-05
Effective date
2015-01-09
FAA docket
Docket No. FAA-2013-0159
Abstract
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-12-10 for Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44, and R44 II helicopters with certain main rotor blades (blade) installed. AD 2011-12-10 required inspecting each blade at the skin-to-spar line for debonding, corrosion, a separation, a gap, or a dent and replacing any damaged blade with an airworthy blade. This new AD also requires a terminating action for those inspection requirements. These actions are intended to detect debonding of the blade skin, which could result in blade failure and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, and to correct the unsafe condition by replacing the main rotor blades with new blades that do not require the AD inspection.