Tail Rotor - Blades - Inspection / Removal
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2021-19-08
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must perform a visual inspection of the leading edge of each affected tail rotor blade before the first flight after October 20, 2022, and before each subsequent flight. Any cracked blade must be removed from service immediately. Additionally, blades identified on Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with serial numbers 9410 through 9909 must be removed within three months after September 22, 2021, and blades with serial numbers 9910 through 10659 on R44/R44 II and serial numbers 2410 through 2589 on R66 helicopters must be removed within six months after October 20, 2022.
Summary
Airworthiness Directive 2022-19-12 is a final rule issued by the Federal Aviation Administration addressing tail rotor blade cracks on Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44, R44 II, and R66 helicopters. It requires inspections and removal of certain part-numbered and serial-numbered tail rotor blades to prevent unsafe conditions. The directive applies to blades with part numbers C029-3 and F029-1 within specified serial number ranges.
What changed
This directive supersedes AD 2021-19-08 by expanding the applicability to include additional serial-numbered blades on Robinson Model R44 and R44 II helicopters and adding Robinson Model R66 helicopters with affected blades. It continues to require preflight inspections for cracks and mandates removal of any cracked or affected blades from service within specified timeframes.
Why it matters
This AD is critical for maintaining helicopter safety by preventing potential loss of control caused by cracked tail rotor blades. Operators, maintenance personnel, and compliance teams must ensure timely inspections and blade replacements to avoid reduced controllability. Adhering to this directive helps mitigate risks associated with manufacturing defects leading to stress corrosion cracking.
More for Robinson R44 (Raven)
All 19- EASA AD US-2025-11-07Main Rotor Drive - Clutch Shaft Forward Yoke - Inspection / Removal / ReplacementJul 1, 2025
- EASA AD US-2024-23-01Main Rotor Drive / Rotors Flight Control - Clutch Actuator Brackets - InspectionDec 4, 2024
- EASA AD US-2024-20-07Equipment / Furnishings - Emergency Float Kit Activation Handle - Repetitive Inspections / ReplacementNov 29, 2024
- EASA AD US-2024-20-03Flight Controls - Governor Controller - ReplacementNov 26, 2024
- EASA SIB SAIB-2024-05
Get the next one by email
New ADs and bulletins for Robinson R44 (Raven), R66, R44 and R44 II, summarized like this page, every Monday.