AD 2013-19-24
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | MD | Various | Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc., Helicopters |
Unsafe Condition
The tail rotor blade pitch horn separating from the tail rotor blade, leading to an unbalanced condition, vibration, loss of tail rotor pitch control, and loss of directional control of the helicopter.
Required Actions
Establish a retirement life for new applicable blades of 400 hours time-in-service (TIS), replacing within 10 hours TIS any installed blades with 390 to 700 hours TIS, and replacing before further flight any blades with more than 700 hours TIS. Within 60 days and thereafter at intervals not to exceed one year, inspect all other blades with a 10X or higher power magnifying glass for a crack, pitting, corrosion, and the condition of the dimpled shot peen surface. If there is a crack, pitting, corrosion, or a nonconforming shot peen surface, replace the blade with an airworthy blade.
Compliance Time
Within 60 days and thereafter at intervals not to exceed one year
Affected Aircraft
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), Model 369A, 369D, 369E, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 369F and 369FF helicopters with a tail rotor blade (blade) part number (P/N) 369D21640-501, 369D21640-503, 369D21641-501, 369D21641-503, 369D21642-501, 369D21642-503, 369D21643-501, or 369D21643-503 installed, or with a Helicopter Technology Company blade P/N 500P3100-101, 500P3100-301, 500P3300-501, or 500P3500-701 installed.
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 6, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
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