FAA Issues Emergency AD for Bell 429 Helicopters on T/R Abrasion Strip Cracks | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-10.28.24

Airborne-NextGen-10.29.24

Airborne-Unlimited-10.30.24

Airborne-Unlimited-10.24.24

Airborne-Unlimited-10.25.24

Sun, Mar 31, 2024

FAA Issues Emergency AD for Bell 429 Helicopters on T/R Abrasion Strip Cracks

Tail Rotor Abrasion Strips Could Cause Rotor Failure

On March 29, 2024, the FAA issued an emergency AD for owners and operators of Bell 429 helicopters.

.

The directive, AD 2024-07-51, was prompted by multiple reports of tail rotor blade abrasion strip cracks, which could lead to severe imbalance, tail rotor blade failure, loss of the tail rotor gearbox, and ultimately, loss of control of the helicopter. The FAA's action follows a similar emergency AD issued by Transport Canada.

An investigation revealed a manufacturing defect in certain serial-numbered tail rotor blades, part number 429-016-101-105, which could result in fatigue cracking due to missed fabrication steps in the abrasion strip.The FAA reviewed Bel Alert Service Bulletin 429-24-63, dated March 21, 2024, which specifies procedures for cleaning the tail rotor blade abrasion strip and using a bright light to visually inspect each side of the T/R blade for a chordwise crack.

The emergency AD requires operators to inspect the tail rotor blade abrasion strips within three days or prior to the second flight after the effective date of the directive. If a crack is found, the blade must be replaced before further flight. If no cracks are detected, the blade must be marked with an "X" using a paint marker. Thereafter, pilots must visually check the abrasion strips for cracks before each flight, and maintenance personnel must perform more thorough inspections every 25 flight hours.

The FAA considers this emergency AD an interim action and may consider further rulemaking if a final action is identified. The directive is effective immediately upon receipt due to the critical nature of the affected components and the potential for catastrophic failure. Operators are required to report any findings of cracked abrasion strips to the FAA within 7 days to aid in further investigation and corrective actions.

FMI: regulations.gov

Advertisement

More News

Senator Pushes FAA to Accelerate Rocket Launch Licensing

States That Current Process is Damaging National Aerospace Development US Senator Jerry Morgan is pushing the FAA to speed up the process for rocket launch licensing. He argues tha>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: RJ Gritter - Part of Aviation’s Bright New Future

From 2015 (YouTube Edition): Model Aviator Aims For Full-Scale Career While at the 2015 Indoor Electric RC Festival, referred to as eFest, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell>[...]

Aero-FAQ: Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories -- ITBOA BNITBOB

Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories ITBOA BNITBOB ... what does that mean? It's not gibberish, it's a lengthy acronym for "In The Business Of Aviation ... But Not In The Busine>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (10.27.24)

Aero Linx: Cardinal Flyers Online The Cardinal Flyers Online Web site was created and is maintained by me, Keith Peterson. My wife Debbie and I have owned a 1976 RG since 1985. Wit>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (10.27.24): Clearance Void If Not Off By (Time)

Clearance Void If Not Off By (Time) Used by ATC to advise an aircraft that the departure release is automatically canceled if takeoff is not made prior to a specified time. The exp>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC