Helicopters; Other aircraft (for example, helicopters, airplanes); spacecraft (including satellites) and suborbital and spacecraft launch vehicles (HS 8802); Quality (ICS 03.120), Aircraft and space vehicles in general (ICS 49.020)

Airworthiness Directives; Various Experimental and Restricted Category Helicopters (8 page(s), in English)

Notice of proposed rulemaking - The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various helicopters operating under experimental airworthiness certificates and various type certificated restricted category helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple accidents and incidents involving failure of the tail boom attachment structure and bolts. This proposed AD would require revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter to incorporate pre-flight checks; removing paint and sealant, and cleaning; repetitive inspections of structural components that attach the tail boom to the fuselage; and depending on the outcome of the inspections, repairing or replacing components, or re-bonding the structure. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.