Robinson R22 main rotor blades must be replaced after 10 years in service under an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration. The 10-year life limit has been added to the existing requirement that blades be retired after 2,200h in service. The AD is prompted by two accidents in Australia and Israel attributed to rotor blade failure. The AD requires tracking and balancing of blades that are five years old or have 1,000h service time within 10h or 30 days.
Source: Flight International
