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AD/R44/25 Amdt 1 - Main Rotor Blades

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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 repeals Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/R44/25. and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001 (1) of CASR 1998 and subsection 33 (3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901. 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/R44/25 Amdt 1
Main Rotor Blades
5/2015
 
Applicability:
All Robinson R44 series helicopters equipped with main rotor blades P/N C016-7.

Requirements:
1.    Conduct a visual inspection of the trailing edge of the main rotor blade in accordance with Robinson R44 Safety Alert C016-7 Main Rotor Blade Crack issued 23 February 2015 (the inspection), after ensuring blade is clean. Also pay attention to defects in paint which may signify cracking.
2.    If any defect or damage to the main rotor blade is detected during the inspection,
(a) remove the blade from the helicopter and quarantine it, and (b) report any blade defect or damage to CASA through the service difficulty reporting system.

Compliance:
For requirement 1:
(a)   If the helicopter is being operated in charter operations, conduct the inspection every second flight;
(b)   If the helicopter is being operated in any other type of operation, conduct the inspection every 1.5 flight hours or at each engine shut down, whichever occurs first;
(c)   For those helicopters which have not been inspected and certified in accordance with Requirement 1, the helicopter may be flown once to the nearest place where such a person is available. Such flight may only be conducted if during the daily inspection of the helicopter, the upper and lower surface of the blade in the region of the extended chord of the trailing edge was examined after ensuring blade is clean and no defect or damage was detected: above Safety Alert refers.
For requirement 2:
On identification of any blade damage.

 
The effective date of this AD is the day of its registration.


 
 
 
 
 
 
Background:
This Airworthiness Directive is issued to prevent the possibility of main rotor blade separation and consequent loss of the helicopter. This AD replaces AD/R44/25. The inspection requirement should be noted on the aircraft’s maintenance release (or approved alternative), where certification of each inspection should be made. The inspection may also be performed and certified by the holder of a current pilot licence if that person is rated on the R44 and authorised under Instrument CASA 67/13.
 
Nicholas Ward
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
27 February 2015