May 6, 2015
NOTICE TO ALL SAFARI OWNERS REGARDING INSPECTION OF TAIL ROTOR PITCH ARMS
Early Safari helicopters were equipped with tail rotor pitch arms that were machined from a casting. In later years, the pitch arm has been machined from a solid billet.
On two occasions, preflight inspection has revealed fatigue cracks near the clamping point of the older, cast tail rotor pitch arms. No cracks have been found on the machined arms.
The photos below of the cast arms and the current machined arms are to assist you in determining which version you have. The outside of the cast pitch arms will be rough, while the machined arm is perfectly smooth.
The tail rotor pitch arms should be inspected before next flight using a minimum 10x magnification. If cracks are seen, the helicopter should be grounded until the pitch arms can be replaced with new, machined arms. Cast pitch arms are being replaced on all aircraft serviced at the factory. Any helicopter equipped with cast pitch arms and with more than 250 hours flight time should be grounded until the pitch arms can be replaced. Inspection of this part should be part of your pre-flight checklist, regardless of the age of your aircraft.
