A-86-052
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: ISSUE AN EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE TO REQUIRE (1) AN IMMEDIATE INSPECTION BY AN APPROVED METHOD OF ALL TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT FLEXIBLE COUPLINGS (P/N 369A5501 OR P/N 369H92564), EXCLUSIVE OF THOSE FORWARD COUPLING INCLUDED IN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 81-17-02, WHICH ARE INSTALLED ON ANY MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MODEL 369 HELICOPTERS, (2) THAT ANY COUPLING WHICH CONTAINS CRACKING OR DAMAGE BE REMOVED FROM SERVICE, AND (3) PERIODIC INSPECTIONS OF THE COUPLINGS AT AN INTERVAL WHICH WILL DETECT CRACKING BEFORE IT BECOMES CRITICAL TO SAFE OPERATION OF THE HELICOPTER. (URGENT)
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The NTSB asks the Federal Aviation Administration to issue an emergency airworthiness directive requiring immediate inspection of certain tail rotor drive shaft flexible couplings (part numbers 369A5501 or 369H92564) on McDonnell Douglas Model 369 helicopters, excluding those already covered by a previous directive. Any coupling found with cracking or damage must be removed from service, and periodic inspections must follow at intervals that can detect cracking before it becomes critical to safety.
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 - Reconsidered |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Dec 3, 1986 |
| NTSB number | MIA86MA182 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).