AD 59-09-04

final rule

Airworthiness Directives; VERTOL Models 44A, B, and C Helicopters

AD Number
59-09-04
Status
final_rule
Effective Date
Product Category
aircraft
Docket
Unknown
FR Citation
This information is not available.
Technical illustration of an aircraft turbine engine assembly
Problem area Engine

Applicability

TypeManufacturerModelDetails
aircraft Boeing Defense & Space Group 44A Airworthiness Directives; VERTOL Models 44A, B, and C Helicopters
aircraft Boeing Defense & Space Group 44B Airworthiness Directives; VERTOL Models 44A, B, and C Helicopters

Unsafe Condition

Failure of the low velocity fan disc assembly, P/N 42P6422, due to cracks originating at the blade retaining bolt hole in the disc flange forward face, progressing radially and circumferentially, leading to separation of the disc portion with fan blades and fuselage damage.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Required Actions

Retire fan disc assemblies P/N 42P6422 at 400 hours' time. Alternatively, by 400 hours' time, remove spinner P/N 42P6420, inspect disc flange for cracks, reassemble with AN 960-416 washers, conduct inspections every four flight-hours, and retire/mutilate if cracks found.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Compliance Time

no later than May 15, 1959

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Affected Aircraft

Boeing Defense & Space Group Models 44A, B, and C Helicopters

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Federal Register Abstract

Fan Disc Assembly

Applicability Source Text

Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_59-09-04.html
Copy URL
Print/Save as PDF
Document Versions
 Feedback
Details
AD Number:
59-09-04
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; VERTOL Models 44A, B, and C Helicopters
Subject:
Fan Disc Assembly
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
Effective Date:
Make:
Boeing Defense & Space Group
Model:
44A | 44B
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Rotorcraft
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39
Comments:
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 59-09-04
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:  

AD NUMBER:   59-09-04

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; VERTOL Models 44A, B, and C Helicopters

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:  

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
59-09-04 VERTOL: Applies to all Models 44A, B, and C Helicopters.

Compliance required as indicated, but no later than May 15, 1959.

(1) A failure of the low velocity fan disc assembly, P/N 42P6422, has recently been experienced in a Vertol 44 helicopter. The failure originated as a crack at the blade retaining bolt hole in the disc flange forward face, progressing radially into the flange and disc radius and continuing circumferentially in the radius area for 14 to 16 inches. This portion of the fan disc, containing six fan blades, then separated from the fan and was thrown through the left-hand side of the fuselage.

(2) To preclude recurrence of said failures, fan disc assemblies, P/N 42P6422, must be retired at 400 hours' time.

(3) It is permissible to operate the fan to 500 hours, providing the following requirements are complied with at, or before, 400 hours' time:

a. Remove spinner, P/N 42P6420.

b. Visually inspect the disc flange in the blade retaining bolt hole area for evidence of cracks.

c. Reassemble, adding AN 960-416 washers under the 32 nuts in place of removed spinner. (The spinner must not be reinstalled, to facilitate future inspections.)

d. Inspect the above-mentioned areas for evidence of cracks every four (4) flight-hours.

e. Any evidence of cracks will be cause for immediate retirement of the fan disc assembly. Fans removed from service because of cracks will be destroyed or mutilated so as to preclude the possibility of their being returned to service.

(Vertol Service Department Technical Memorandum No. 1901 covers this same subject.)

FOOTER:

Document Text

Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_59-09-04.html
Copy URL
Print/Save as PDF
Document Versions
 Feedback
Details
AD Number:
59-09-04
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; VERTOL Models 44A, B, and C Helicopters
Subject:
Fan Disc Assembly
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
Effective Date:
Make:
Boeing Defense & Space Group
Model:
44A | 44B
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Rotorcraft
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39
Comments:
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 59-09-04
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:  

AD NUMBER:   59-09-04

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; VERTOL Models 44A, B, and C Helicopters

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:  

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
59-09-04 VERTOL: Applies to all Models 44A, B, and C Helicopters.

Compliance required as indicated, but no later than May 15, 1959.

(1) A failure of the low velocity fan disc assembly, P/N 42P6422, has recently been experienced in a Vertol 44 helicopter. The failure originated as a crack at the blade retaining bolt hole in the disc flange forward face, progressing radially into the flange and disc radius and continuing circumferentially in the radius area for 14 to 16 inches. This portion of the fan disc, containing six fan blades, then separated from the fan and was thrown through the left-hand side of the fuselage.

(2) To preclude recurrence of said failures, fan disc assemblies, P/N 42P6422, must be retired at 400 hours' time.

(3) It is permissible to operate the fan to 500 hours, providing the following requirements are complied with at, or before, 400 hours' time:

a. Remove spinner, P/N 42P6420.

b. Visually inspect the disc flange in the blade retaining bolt hole area for evidence of cracks.

c. Reassemble, adding AN 960-416 washers under the 32 nuts in place of removed spinner. (The spinner must not be reinstalled, to facilitate future inspections.)

d. Inspect the above-mentioned areas for evidence of cracks every four (4) flight-hours.

e. Any evidence of cracks will be cause for immediate retirement of the fan disc assembly. Fans removed from service because of cracks will be destroyed or mutilated so as to preclude the possibility of their being returned to service.

(Vertol Service Department Technical Memorandum No. 1901 covers this same subject.)

FOOTER:

Source: Official FAA Source ↗

Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026

Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain

This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA. Always verify with official sources.