SAIB SW-06-64 —

1 SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN

Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

SW-06-64 August 17, 2006 http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/SAIB This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin provides information concerning the Vertical Fin Spar Kit installation, part number VTF-030-800, -801, or -802, manufactured by Global Helicopter Technology, Inc. (GHTI) for owners and operators of the following helicopters models:

Manufacturer Models Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc. Firefly Aviation Helicopter Services Garlick Helicopters, Inc. Global Helicopter Technology, Inc. Hagglund Helicopters, LLC International Helicopters, Inc. Precision Helicopters, LLC Robinson Air Crane, Inc. San Joaquin Helicopters S.M.&T. Aircraft Smith Helicopters Southern Helicopter, Inc. Tamarack Helicopters, Inc. US Helicopter, Inc. Williams Helicopter Corporation HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P; Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc. SW204, SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1

Background

The GHTI vertical fin spar kit, Supplemental Type Certificate number SR09257, SR09313RC, SR09316RC, or SR09318RC, is a spar that is a replacement for the Bell Helicopter manufactured spar for the military helicopters.

GHTI released Alert Service Bulletin UH-1- 01-001 dated August 9, 2001 (ASB) that pertains to the correct installation of the fasteners attaching the tail rotor 90-degree gearbox casting at the top of the vertical fin. The ASB details an inspection to determine if these fasteners are installed correctly and repair instructions, if necessary. These fasteners can rub against the tail rotor pitch control chain if the collars are facing inboard causing premature wear of the chain.

It has been reported to us that several helicopters have been found with these fasteners installed incorrectly.

Recommendations

Within twenty-five hours, we recommend you accomplish the following:

• Review the helicopter maintenance records to determine if a GHTI vertical fin spar kit is installed.

2 • If a GHTI spar kit is installed and a record of compliance with the GHTI ASB cannot be confirmed, then inspect the Hi-Lok fasteners on the side of anti-torque control chain attaching the tail rotor 90-degree gearbox casting to the vertical fin spar in accordance with Steps 1 through 3 of the ASB. Insure the fasteners are installed with the collars facing outboard as shown in Figure 1 of this SAIB.

• If the fasteners are installed correctly, no further action is recommended.

• If the fasteners are installed with the collars facing inboard (See Figure 2) then carefully review Steps 4 though 8 in the ASB. Perform the inspections and then repair, if necessary, per the instructions.

For Copies of the Alert Service Bulletin Contact

Billy Grantham, Global Helicopter Technologies, Inc.; telephone: (817) 557-3391; e-mail: [email protected]

For Further Information Contact

Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA Rotorcraft Certification Office, Federal Aviation Administration, Fort Worth, TX, 76193-0170; phone: (817) 222-5447;e-mail: [email protected].

Correct Orientation of Hi-Loks with Collars Facing Outboard

Figure 1

3

Incorrect Installation of Hi-Loks Which Show Rubbing on Tail Rotor Pitch Control Chain

Figure 2