{"id":"F2006B06456","name":"AD/R22/50 - Tail Rotor Pitch Control Assembly","slug":"ad-r22-50-tail-rotor-pitch-control-assembly","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":47918,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06456-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.\n\nRobinson R22 Series Helicopters","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/R22/50 Tail Rotor Pitch Control Assem","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/R22/50 Tail Rotor Pitch Control Assembly 4/2003","content":"# AD/R22/50 Tail Rotor Pitch Control Assembly 4/2003\n\nDM\n\nApplicability: Model R22 helicopters, with serial numbers up to and including 3328, except serial numbers 3167, 3326, and 3327, with tail rotor pitch control assembly, part number A031-1, Revision J or prior, installed.\n\nRequirement: Inspect the tail rotor pitch control assembly for roughness or binding of the pitch control bearings by hand-rotating the pitch control bearing housing in accordance with Robinson Helicopter Company Service Bulletin SB-90A Revision A, dated 10 June 2002.\n\nIf the housing does not rotate freely, before further flight, replace the unserviceable pitch control assembly with a serviceable assembly.\n\nNote: FAA AD 2003-04-04 Amdt 39-13052 refers.\n\nCompliance: Within 20 hours time in service after 26 March 2003 for the initial inspection, unless already accomplished. Inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time in service or 12 months, whichever occurs first.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 5 March 2003.\n\nBackground: The FAA received reports of failure of the tail rotor pitch control assembly due to improperly lubricated bearings on Model R22 helicopters. Undetected bearing corrosion could lead to bearing failure and subsequent loss of directional control of the helicopter.\n\n![Signature of David Alan Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority](image.002.jpeg)  \n\nDavid Alan Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 27 February 2003\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 5 March 2003.","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific mechanical defect in a specific helicopter model. The reference to the FAA AD is contextual background only and does not expand the directive's operational requirements beyond the original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, clearly defined applicability section with specific serial number exclusions","One primary requirement with a straightforward conditional (if faulty, replace)","Simple compliance timeline (initial + recurring intervals)","Only one cross-reference to external document (FAA AD for context, not binding)","No nested definitions or interpretation section","Background provides clear safety rationale without legal complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive mandates inspection—and immediate replacement if needed—of the tail rotor pitch control assembly (PN A031‑1, Rev J or earlier) on certain Robinson R22 helicopters (serials up to 3328, with three excluded). It targets rough or binding bearings that can corrode and seize.\n\nIt affects owners/operators of the specified R22s and was issued to prevent loss of directional control; inspections must be completed per the manufacturer’s procedure before further flight when defects are found."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive stays within the original safety‑correction purpose: detect and correct improperly lubricated/corroded tail rotor pitch control bearings on specified R22 helicopters. It does not broaden scope beyond that safety objective (no added regulatory powers, no expanded fleet coverage beyond the serial‑numbered applicability, and no additional unrelated requirements)."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single‑aircraft type applicability with specific serial number exclusions (clear but must check serials).","Single defined affected part number and revision (A031‑1, Revision J or earlier).","External dependency on Robinson Service Bulletin SB‑90A Revision A for inspection procedure (cross‑reference increases practical complexity).","Simple conditional action: if housing does not rotate freely → replacement before flight (one clear branch).","Compliance timing has two dimensions: initial window (20 hours after a specified date) and recurring interval (300 hours or 12 months), requiring record keeping.","Reference to FAA AD for background (informational cross‑reference only)."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does (mechanics)**\n\n- Applies to Robinson R22 helicopters with serial numbers up to and including 3328, except SN 3167, 3326 and 3327, when they have a tail rotor pitch control assembly, part number A031-1, Revision J or earlier, fitted.\n- Requires a manual inspection of the tail rotor pitch control assembly to check for roughness or binding in the pitch control bearings. The inspection must be done by hand‑rotating the pitch control bearing housing and following the procedures in Robinson Helicopter Company Service Bulletin SB‑90A Revision A (10 June 2002).\n- If the bearing housing does not rotate freely, the directive requires replacing the unserviceable pitch control assembly with a serviceable one before the helicopter flies again.\n- Initial inspection must be done within 20 hours time in service after 26 March 2003 (unless already done). Thereafter inspections must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 300 hours time in service or 12 months, whichever comes first.\n- The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate issued the directive and set the compliance and effective dates.\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Primary affected parties are owners and operators of the specified Robinson R22 helicopters, and the maintenance organisations or engineers who service them.\n\n**Why it matters (stated purpose and practical effect)**\n\n- The stated reason is that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had reports of tail rotor pitch control assembly failures on R22s caused by improperly lubricated or corroded bearings. Undetected bearing corrosion can lead to bearing failure and loss of directional control of the helicopter.\n- Mechanically, the directive forces operators to check for (and fix) bearing roughness or binding on a recurring schedule, or to replace the assembly if it’s unserviceable. That reduces the chance that a corroded or poorly lubricated bearing will fail in service.\n\n**Costs, incentives and trade‑offs**\n\n- Who pays: owners/operators bear the direct costs — inspection labour and any replacement parts and installation, plus the operational cost of grounding an aircraft until a replacement is fitted if necessary.\n- Who decides: CASA (through its delegate) set the requirement and the timeline; the actual maintenance decisions (who performs the inspection or replacement, and what spare parts to use) are made by the owner/operator and their maintenance provider, subject to following the Service Bulletin.\n- Compliance burden: inspections are short in principle (hand rotation), but they must be carried out within a tight initial window (20 hours) and repeated regularly (every 300 hours or 12 months). If a bearing is found defective, replacement is mandatory before further flight, which can impose downtime and replacement cost.\n- Incentives and substitution effects: to avoid repeated inspections or the risk of an in‑service failure, some operators may choose to replace suspect assemblies proactively, increasing upfront cost but reducing recurring inspection burden. Maintenance shops may see additional, predictable workload providing these inspections and replacements.\n- Implementation risk: the inspection relies on a manual check (hand‑rotating the housing) and on correct following of the Service Bulletin. That creates room for inconsistent detection depending on inspector skill, thoroughness, and interpretation of what constitutes “does not rotate freely.”\n\n**Effects on private enterprise and markets**\n\n- Independent maintenance organisations can perform the inspections and replacements, so the directive primarily shifts work and parts purchases to the private market rather than centralising it with the regulator.\n- The requirement may raise operating costs for small R22 operators, which could affect pricing of services (flight training, private hire) where R22s are used.\n- The directive does not change ownership, operational permissions, or contracts directly; it imposes a safety compliance cost and a maintenance schedule that owners must follow.\n\n**Concentrated benefits and diffuse costs**\n\n- Benefits (reduced risk of tail rotor failure) accrue to aircraft occupants, operators and the public (safety). These are concentrated beneficiaries in the sense that specific aircraft are made safer.\n- Costs (inspection and possible replacement) are concentrated on the affected owners/operators. There is little evidence in the text of broader economic redistribution or market distortion beyond the direct compliance cost.\n\n**Summary sentence**\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of specified Robinson R22 helicopters to inspect and, if necessary, replace the tail rotor pitch control assembly bearings on a short initial deadline and at regular intervals thereafter to address reported bearing lubrication/corrosion problems that could cause loss of directional control."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-r22-50-tail-rotor-pitch-control-assembly","history":"/api/acts/ad-r22-50-tail-rotor-pitch-control-assembly/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-r22-50-tail-rotor-pitch-control-assembly/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-r22-50-tail-rotor-pitch-control-assembly/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-r22-50-tail-rotor-pitch-control-assembly/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-r22-50-tail-rotor-pitch-control-assembly/documents"}}