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SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Robinson R44 Raven I · Airworthiness Directives

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Overview

This document is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of Australia for the Robinson R44 Series Helicopters. It outlines mandatory actions required to address safety concerns related to the sprag clutch assembly in specific R44 models. The directive specifies the serial numbers of affected helicopters and mandates the examination and potential replacement of the sprag clutch to prevent failure, which could lead to loss of main rotor RPM. Compliance with the directive is required within a specified timeframe, ensuring that operators maintain the safety and airworthiness of their helicopters. The document serves as a critical reference for operators and maintenance personnel to ensure adherence to safety regulations.

  • Affected serial numbers: R44 helicopters 0001-0541, 0543, 0550, 0556, 0565.
  • Examine sprag clutch for serial number applicability.
  • Replace sprag clutches with S/N 0003-0505 as per SB-32 procedures.
  • Remove the pink page Special Pilot Caution regarding autorotation from the flight manual.
  • Compliance required within 30 days or 50 hours time in service.

Document

Source

Originally published by services.casa.gov.au. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.

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Document details

Type
Airworthiness Directives
Year
2000
Pages
1
File size
12 KB
Publisher
services.casa.gov.au
How rare is it?
25Robinson R44 Raven I registered worldwide · 0 active

Common. Rarer than 4% of the aircraft models we track.

Documentation completeness
3/7

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In this document

Applicability

The Airworthiness Directive applies to Robinson R44 helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 0001 to 0541 inclusive, as well as serial numbers 0543, 0550, 0556, and 0565.

Requirement

Operators are required to examine the sprag clutch for serial number applicability. Any sprag clutch with a serial number from 0003 to 0505 must be replaced according to the procedures outlined in Robinson R44 Service Bulletin SB-32. Additionally, a specific pilot caution regarding autorotation with a potentially defective sprag clutch must be removed from the flight manual.

Compliance

Compliance with the directive is mandatory within 30 calendar days or 50 hours of time in service, whichever comes first, from the effective date of the directive. This ensures timely action to mitigate safety risks.

Background

The directive was issued following reports from Robinson Helicopter Co regarding cracked sprag ends in several sprag clutches, including one from an accident aircraft. The AD aims to prevent sprag clutch failure, which poses a risk of losing main rotor RPM.

Safety notes

  • Failure to comply with this directive may result in loss of main rotor RPM, leading to a potential accident.

Full document text

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES Robinson R44 Series Helicopters AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the 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. AD/R44/15 Sprag Clutch 7/2000 Applicability: Model R44 helicopters serial number 0001 through 0541 inclusive, 0543, 0550, 0556 and 0565. Requirement: 1. Examine sprag clutch for S/N applicability. Replace any sprag clutch with S/N 0003 through 0505 inclusive in accordance with the procedures detailed in Robinson R44 Service Bulletin SB-32 Part B paragraph 1 to 5 inclusive. Note 1: Robinson R44 SB-36 expands affected clutch S/N range to include S/Nos 0453 through 0505. 2. Remove the pink page Special Pilot Caution covering autorotation with a possible defective sprag clutch from the Normal Procedures Section of the R44 flight manual. Note 2: FAA AD 2000-08-04 Amendment 39-11690 and FAA AD 99-07-18 refers Compliance: 1. Unless previously carried out, within 30 calendar days or 50 hours time in service, whichever occurs first, from the effective date of this Directive. 2. Upon accomplishment of Requirement 1. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 July 2000. Background: Robinson Helicopter Co has advised that several sprag clutches, one from an accident aircraft, have been returned with cracked sprag ends. To prevent sprag clutch failure with possible loss of main rotor RPM this Directive mandates replacement of the sprag clutch assembly. Eugene Paul Holzapfel Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 May 2000 The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 June 2000.

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