Seaside Operators Particularly Susceptible to Loosening Rotor Tips, Gearbox Failure

Robinson Helicopters from the R22-series saw the issuance of a new service bulletin this week, mandating tail rotor inspection and replacement for affected parts.

The company has “received reports of tail rotor blade tips coming loose due to corrosion at the bond,” finding that helicopters operating near saltwater are particularly susceptible to corrosion, especially when stored outdoors.” A debonded tip can cause severe vibration in flight which can speedily deteriorate into failure of the tail rotor gearbox housing. A different, improved part, A029-2 revision V blades, are equipped with tip caps sporting an alternate alloy to reduce the likelihood of corrosion. Affected parts include tail rotors from serial numbers 11279 and below. Such blades were factory-installed on R22’s from 4873 and prior, and were shipped as spares through October 2022.

For R44s, afflicted serials include 2698 and prior, R44 IIs from 14564 and prior, and R44 Cadets 30087 and prior. All such aircraft used affected tail rotor part number C029-3 REV Q and prior. The replacement, improved part will be C029-3 Rev R/
Applicable serials for R66 aircraft include number 1188 and below, with a handful of exceptions. Tail rotors from part number F029-1 REV F and prior are similarly affected, to be replaced by F029-1. 

Under the bulletin, operators are required to complete the inspections within the next 10 flight hours or by January 15, 2023, whichever comes first. Recurring inspections for Part A are required before the first flight of each day thereafter. Aircraft stationed outdoors in “corrosive environments such as salt water coastlines should replace affected blades as soon as practical,” according to Robinson. They’ve set a date for that replacement - such rotors must be replaced by December 31, 2024. 

FMI: www.robinsonheli.com