A-82-052
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: ISSUE AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE TO REQUIRE (1) THAT ALL MILITARY SURPLUS BELL UH-1B AND UH-1D MODEL HELICOPTERS AND BELL 204B MODEL HELICOPTERS BE VISUALLY INSPECTED BEFORE FURTHER FLIGHT AND AT APPROPRIATE TIME INTERVALS THEREAFTER FOR EVIDENCE OF FRETTING ON OR ADJACENT TO THE TAIL BOOM AFT ACCESS PANEL AND THE TAIL BOOM SKIN AND RIVETS AT STATION 194, (2) THAT AIRCRAFT FOUND TO HAVE FRETTING OR CRACKING BY X-RAY INSPECTED BEFORE FURTHER FLIGHT FOR CRACKS IN THE MAGNESIUM ALLOY SKIN BENEATH THE OUTER ALUMINUM ALLOY SKIN ON THE LEFT SIDE (180 DEGREES) OF THE TAIL BOOM AT THE STATION 194 RIVETS AND ALSO IN THE LEFT SIDE ANGLE OF THE VERTICAL FIN FRONT SPAR ALONG A 1-INCH-LONG AREA NEAR THE TOP OF THE SPAR WHERE THE ANGLE FIRST CONTACTS THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE HOUSING TO WHICH THE 90 DEGREES GEAR BOX IS ATTACHED, (3) THAT AIRCRAFT IN WHICH THE X-RAY INSPECTION DISCLOSES CRACKS BE REPAIRED BEFORE FURTHER FLIGHT, AND (4) THAT AT APPROPRIATE TIME INTERVALS X-RAY REINSPECTION TO DETECT NEWLY DEVELOPING CRACKS BE MADE OF AIRCRAFT ON WHICH THE INITIAL X-RAY INSPECTION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF CRACKING.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The FAA is asked to issue an airworthiness directive requiring visual inspections of certain Bell UH-1B, UH-1D, and 204B helicopters for fretting near the tail boom aft access panel and at station 194, followed by X-ray inspections for cracks in specified magnesium and aluminum skin areas if fretting or cracking is found, with mandatory repairs before further flight if cracks are detected, and periodic X-ray reinspections for aircraft that initially passed the X-ray inspection.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Sep 19, 1983 |
| NTSB number | LAX82FA061 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).