AVIATION C I V I L E

GROUPEMENT POUR LA SECURITE
AVIATION
C I V I L E
BR 2006/02(A)
DGAC
BULLETIN DE
RECOMMANDATION
Edité par
:
DGAC FRANCE
Le
:
18 JANVIER 2006
TITRE :
FIXATIONS HARNAIS DE SECURITE
MATERIELS CONCERNES :
Hélicoptères ROBINSON R44 et R44 II.
DOCUMENT D'ORIGINE :
FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin SW-06-19 du 28 décembre 2005.
RECOMMANDATION :
Les propriétaires et utilisateurs d’hélicoptères ROBINSON R44 et R44 II, ainsi que
les organismes d’entretien de ces aéronefs sont invités à suivre les recommandations
de ce document.
1/3
SPECIAL
AIRWORTHINESS
INFORMATION
BULLETIN
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Aircraft Certification Service
Federal Aviation
Administration
Washington, DC
No. SW-06-19
December 28, 2005
www.faa.gov/certification/aircraft
This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.
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, place 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.
2/3
3/3