AD/R22/27 - Vertical Fin Attachments - CANCELLED

What this does: This document officially cancels a previous safety rule (Airworthiness Directive AD/R22/27) that applied to Robinson R22 helicopters.

What was the old rule? The cancelled rule required owners to perform a special crack-detection test (called "dye-penetrant inspection") on the vertical fin attachments (the bolts or fittings connecting the tail fin to the helicopter body) every time the aircraft underwent a maintenance release inspection (a routine safety check).

Why cancel it? The Civil Aviation Safety Authority determined that:

• This inspection requirement was unique to Australia (not based on the manufacturer's service documents)
• Very few problems were actually discovered during these inspections
• The safety benefit no longer justified the cost and effort for operators

Who is affected? Owners and operators of Robinson R22 series helicopters who were previously required to conduct these inspections.