SAIB SW-06-19 —

SAIB SW-06-19 Current Issued 12/28/2005 Robinson Helicopter Company R44 | R44 II

What is a SAIB?

A Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin is an FAA-issued advisory — not mandatory like an AD, but worth knowing about. SAIBs typically flag service bulletins, manufacturer recommendations, or emerging issues that don't (yet) rise to AD level.

Bulletin text

Verbatim from the FAA-published PDF. 17 paragraphs · 336 words.

SW-06-19 December 28, 2005 http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/SAIB This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

CORRECTION: This corrects a typo in the Recommendation paragraph: “place” should be “replace”. All other information remains the same.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin alerts you, owners and operators of Robinson Helicopter Company R44 and R44 II model helicopters, of an airworthiness issue with seat belt buckle assembly part number C628-4.

Reference Documentation

The following reference provides familiarity with the seat belt buckle assembly:

Robinson Helicopter Company R44 Illustrated Parts Catalog, Figure 1-11, Detail B (attached).

Background

On September 24, 2005, an R44 helicopter was involved in a fatal accident. During the ongoing investigation with the National Safety Transportation Board (NTSB), we observed fractures originating from the rivets on the seat belt buckle support straps.

Robinson has reported that leaning on or sliding across seat belt buckles can bend their stainless support straps. Straps that are repeatedly bent may crack in service. Robinson is redesigning the seat belt buckle assembly to prevent cracking and plans to release a service bulletin.

Recommendation

We strongly recommend that you accomplish the following at each 100-hour inspection. Failure to do so could lead to failure of the seat belt buckle support strap.

• Refer to R44 Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) Figure 1-11, Detail B. • Cut and remove plastic covers from all four C628-4 seat belt buckle assemblies. • Aircraft with four-point harnesses do not have rigid front-seat buckle assemblies. Inspection is only recommended for rear-seat buckles on these aircraft. • Visually inspect seat belt buckle assembly stainless straps, particularly in the vicinity of rivets. If you find cracks, replace the seat belt buckle assembly before further flight.

Note: We may issue further required actions when more information is available.

For Further Information Contact

Venessa Stiger, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, ANM- 150L, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (562) 627-5337; fax: (562) 627- 5210; email: [email protected]

Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505 phone: (310) 539- 0508; fax: (562) 539-5198

The FAA-published PDF is the authoritative source. Open on drs.faa.gov ↗