On May 23,
the FAA published a Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking
(NPRM) proposing to require visually inspecting each tail rotor blade for a
crack on Robinson Helicopter Company Models R44 and R44 II helicopters with
tail rotor blade part number (P/N) C029-1 or P/N C029-2 installed. This
proposed AD is prompted by a report of cracking in certain tail rotor blades.
The proposal
would require the following:
- Within
50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD and
thereafter before each flight, visually check each tail rotor blade for a crack
in the tail leading edge, paying particular attention to the area in the most
inboard white paint stripe.
- The
actions required may be accomplished by the owner/operator (pilot), but an entry
must be made in the maintenance records.
- If
a crack is found, before further flight, replace the tail rotor blade.
You may examine
the AD docket at regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket
No. FAA-2017-0947. The docket contains this proposed AD, the economic
evaluation, any comments received and other information.
We recommend
that you read
the NPRM carefully and
make written comments regarding data, views or arguments on the proposal. Comments
are due by July 23. They should be sent by one of the methods explained in
the NPRM to the address given at the beginning of the NPRM.
 C029-1 or P/N C029-2 installed. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of cracking in certain tail rotor blades.){kind=small}
