R66 Service Bulletin SB-41C

Robinson R66 Turbine · Service Bulletins

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Overview

The R66 Service Bulletin SB-41C provides important information regarding the inspection and replacement of tail rotor blades for the Robinson R66 helicopter. It outlines compliance timelines, procedures, and safety measures to ensure the integrity of the tail rotor blades, particularly those affected by corrosion.

Applies to tail rotor blades P/N F029-1 S/Ns 3099 and prior.
Inspection required within 10 flight hours or by 15 January 2023.
Replacement deadlines vary based on operating conditions and history.
Corrosion is a significant concern for helicopters operating near saltwater.
Special Tail Rotor Tip Preflight Inspection must be performed daily.
No charge for replacement blades under warranty.
Labor hours for inspection and replacement are specified.
Compliance aligns with FAA Airworthiness Directive 2024-04-02.

Document

Source

Originally published by windows.net. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.

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Document details

Type: Service Bulletins
Year: 2022
File size: 357 KB
Publisher: windows.net
Language: en

Specifications & performance

Extracted from this document.

Specifications

Affected serial numbers: 3099 and prior
Tail rotor blade part number: F029-1

About this document

What is the R66 Service Bulletin SB-41C?

The R66 Service Bulletin SB-41C is a service bulletins for the Robinson R66 Turbine, dated 2022.

Where does the R66 Service Bulletin SB-41C come from?

This copy of the R66 Service Bulletin SB-41C was originally published by windows.net and is hosted on Sprinkle as a free, searchable reference copy.

What year was the R66 Service Bulletin SB-41C published?

The R66 Service Bulletin SB-41C — the Robinson R66 Turbine service bulletins on file — is dated 2022.

Documentation completeness

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In this document

Time of Compliance

Details the timelines for inspection and replacement of affected tail rotor blades based on various operating conditions.

Background

Discusses the issue of tail rotor blade tips coming loose due to corrosion and the susceptibility of helicopters operating near saltwater.

Compliance Procedure

Outlines the steps for conducting inspections and replacing affected tail rotor blades as per the R66 Maintenance Manual.

Approximate Cost

Provides information on costs associated with inspections and replacements, including warranty details.

Special Tail Rotor Tip Preflight Inspection

Instructions for a daily visual inspection of the tail rotor tip area to identify signs of corrosion.

Safety notes

A debonded tip can cause severe vibration and possible failure of the tail rotor gearbox housing.
If corrosion is observed, do not fly the helicopter.
Inspections must be performed by authorized personnel as per 14 CFR 43.7.

Full document text

Page 1 of 4 R66 SERVICE BULLETIN SB-41C (supersedes R66 Service Bulletin SB-41B) DATE: 22 December 2022 REV C: 28 January 2025 TO: R66 Owners, Operators, and Maintenance Personnel SUBJECT: Tail Rotor Blade Inspection and Replacement EFFECTIVITY: P/N F029-1 tail rotor blade S/Ns 3099 and prior (F029-1 REV F and prior). Affected blades were factory-installed on R66 Helicopter S/Ns 1188 and prior, except S/Ns 1169, 1175, 1177, 1181, and 1183. Affected blades were also shipped as spares prior to November 2022. TIME OF COMPLIANCE: Part A Inspection: Within next 10 flight hours or by 15 January 2023, whichever occurs first. Recurring inspections are required before the first flight of each day thereafter. Part B Replacement: • For affected tail rotor blades with a geographically unknown operating history: No later than 31 July 2024. • For affected tail rotor blades operating from a sea-going vessel: No later than 31 July 2024 with more than 1 year cumulative operating time, and No later than 02 February 2025 with less than 1 year cumulative operating time. • For affected tail rotor blades operating in a severe-corrosion zone depicted in U.S. FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 43-4B, Corrosion Control for Aircraft, Figures 4-15 thru 4-20, as applicable: No later than 31 July 2024 with more than 3 years cumulative operating time, and No later than 02 February 2025 with less than 3 years cumulative operating time. (OVER) TIME OF COMPLIANCE (CONT’D): Part B Replacement (Cont’d): • For affected tail rotor blades with a geographically known operating history not described above: No later than 02 February 2025, or No later than 02 July 2025 under the following conditions: 1. Continue to comply with the [attached] Special Tail Rotor Tip Preflight Inspection insert in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook. 2. Within preceding 15 days, ensure compliance with 10X visual inspection described in the AMOC dated 23 January 2025 to AD 2024-04-02. Note that this inspection is not considered preventive maintenance and may only be performed by personnel authorized by 14 CFR 43.7. BACKGROUND: RHC has received additional reports of tail rotor blade tips coming loose due to corrosion at the bond. Helicopters operating near saltwater are particularly susceptible to corrosion, especially if stored outdoors. A debonded tip can cause severe vibration and possible failure of the tail rotor gearbox housing. F029-1 revision I blades have tip caps with an alternate alloy to reduce the likelihood of corrosion. Revision C of this bulletin aligns the requirements of this bulletin with AMOC approved in FAA letter 772-25-00024 dated 23 January 2025 to U.S. FAA Airworthiness Directive 2024-04-02. R66 SB-41C Page 2 of 4 COMPLIANCE PROCEDURE: PART A: If helicopter is equipped with affected tail rotor blades, insert enclosed Special Tail Rotor Tip Preflight Inspection (page 3 of this bulletin) before the title page of the Pilot’s Operating Handbook. NOTE: Copies of Special Tail Rotor Tip Preflight Inspection sheet should also be made available to mechanics. Sheet may be removed from Pilot’s Operating Handbook following replacement of affected tail rotor blades. PART B: Replace each affected tail rotor blade per R66 Maintenance Manual (MM) § 64-20 and install tail rotor assembly per MM § 64-10. Enter new blade serial numbers in aircraft maintenance records. NOTE: MT179-4 shaft is required to accomplish tail rotor static balance. Available from RHC Customer Service if not already on hand. (Also, refer to R66 SL-43 Tail Rotor Static Balance Equivalent Tool.) APPROXIMATE COST: Part A: Parts: None required (Special Tail Rotor Tip Preflight Inspection sheet included as part of Bulletin). Labor: 0.2 labor-hour. Part B: Parts: No charge for helicopters or parts under warranty; each legible data plate removed from an affected blade and returned to RHC will be exchanged for a new blade. Blades beyond warranty period will be discounted to $1240 provided: a. Blade is in airworthy condition. RHC must receive legible data plate and either photographic evidence of blade condition or actual blade. b. Blade has not exceeded its 12 year calendar life. c. Blade is not within 100 hours of its life limit. Discount only applies to blades replaced by July 2025. Cost does not include transportation. Normal Service Center discounts do not apply (see Dealer/Service Center Memo dated May 28, 1997). Labor: 3.5 labor-hours. R66 SB-41C Page 3 of 4 THE DESIGN ENGINEERING ASPECTS OF THIS BULLETIN HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS AND ARE FAA APPROVED. This page intentionally blank. R66 SB-41C Page 4 of 4 (This page to be printed on yellow paper.) Cut or fold along this line R66 SB-41C SPECIAL TAIL ROTOR TIP PREFLIGHT INSPECTION To be inserted before the title page of the Pilot’s Operating Handbook for all helicopters with affected tail rotor blades per R66 SB-41C. Brief all pilots and maintenance personnel regarding these inspection requirements. Date: 22 December 2022 Refer to Figure below. To be performed before the first flight of each day. May be performed by pilot or mechanic. Conduct visual inspection of tail rotor tip area. If bubbled paint or other evidence of corrosion is observed at or adjacent to tip cap bond line or if any portion of tip cap bond line is exposed, do no fly helicopter. Comply with latest revision of R66 SL-40 prior to further flight. This page may be removed from the Pilot’s Operating Handbook following replacement of affected tail rotor blades.

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