Airworthiness Directive 97-16-02
one-timeAirworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 Helicopters
What this AD requires
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 helicopters. This action requires inspections of the belt tension actuator switches (up-limit switches) for proper operation, and replacement if necessary; and replacement of a certain part-numbered clutch assembly. This amendment is prompted by six occurrences of prematurely worn sprag clutches. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent failure of the sprag clutch to lock in the driving direction, which would result in loss of power to the main rotor system and a subsequent forced landing; or failure of the sprag clutch to unlock in the overrunning direction, which, if combined with engine failure, would result in an inability to autorotate and a subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Which aircraft AD 97-16-02 applies to
Sprag clutch up-limit switch P/N V3-1001 functional inspection, and clutch assembly P/N C018-1 replacement with P/N C018-2 or C018-2A, per Robinson R44 Service Bulletins SB-21 (Apr 18, 1997) and SB-23 (May 30, 1997).
Whether AD 97-16-02 actually applies to your aircraft (by serial and installed parts) and whether it’s already complied with comes from that aircraft’s records.
How AD compliance is recorded
A valid compliance record (14 CFR 43.9) states:
Tailplate reads a tail number’s logbooks and matches every applicable AD — including this one — to its compliance evidence, with recurring next-due dates computed.
Look up a tail number →Read the full directive (Federal Register)Applicability is derived from the FAA directive corpus and is advisory, not a legal airworthiness determination. Compliance is established only from an aircraft’s actual records.