TB1-1520-238-20-127
d. Maintenance Trainers (Category A and B). Same as paragraph 1a.
e. Component/Parts in Stock at All Levels (Depot and Others) including War Reserves - upon receipt
of this TB, Depot and Materiel Activity Commanders will ensure the material condition tags of all items in all
condition codes listed in paragraphs 6 and 7 are annoted to read: "AH-64-02-07 (TB 1-1520-238-20-127),
tail rotor blade cracking, not complied with."
(1) Wholesale Stock -Report receipt of this TB IAW paragraph 14b(1) NLT 10 June 2002.
(2) Retail Stock - Report receipt of this TB IAW paragraph 14c(1) NLT 10 June 2002. Upon re-
ceipt of this message Commanders and Facility Managers maintaining retail stock at installation level and
below shall contact the supported aviation unit to perform the procedures required IAW paragraphs 8 and 9
on suspect materiel. Disposition of discrepant materiel will be IAW paragraph 10. Report compliance with
this TB IAW paragraph 14c(2) NLT 17 June 2002.
f. Component/Parts in Work (Depot level and others) - Depot and other maintenance activity Com-
manders will ensure items listed in paragraphs 6 and 7 are not issued until they are in compliance with this
TB.
2. Task/Inspection Suspense Date. Complete the inspection IAW paragraph 8 prior to
the next flight and
Reporting Compliance Suspense Date.
Report compliance IAW paragraph 14a(1) NLT10 June 2002.
4.
Summary of the Problem.
a. History- Safety of Flight AH-64-02-04 was issued to require an initial and recurring inspection of the
tail rotor blades. Since that time, a Category 1 Quality Deficiency Report (CAT 1 QDR) has been received
from the field reporting an extensive chordwise crack on the inboard side of a tail rotor blade, outboard of the
finger doublers at station 30.1. This is a high stress area. Preliminary analysis indicates that the crack resulted
from fatigue initiated at a surface impression approximately .005 inches in depth.
c.
The purpose of this TB is to:
(1) Heighten awareness to the possibility of tail rotor cracking and increase the inspection area
identified IAW AH-64-02-04 (TB 1-1520-238-20-118).
(2) Prior to the next flight, inspect all tail rotor blades IAW AH-64-02-04 (TB 1-1520-238-20-118)
for chordwise cracks and/or any indication of surface damage between blade stations 25.0 and 35.0.
(3) Add the requirement to inspect between blade stations 25.0 and 35.0 to the recurring inspec-
tions required IAW AH-64-02-04 (TB 1-1520-238-20-118).
(4) Provide upgraded tail rotor blade damage/repair limits to AH-64A technical manuals (TM
1-1520-238-23).
5.
End Items to be inspected. All AH-64 series aircraft.
Assembly Components to be Inspected. - Same as AH-64-02-04 (TB 1-1520-238-20-118).
Parts to be Inspected. - Same as AH-64-02-04 (TB 1-1520-238-20-118).
Inspection Procedures.
a. Prior to the next flight - Utilizing a 10X magnifier, use the procedures IAW AH-64-02-04 (TB
1-1520-238-20-118) to inspect the inboard and outboard tail rotor blade surfaces for chordwise cracking and/
or any indication of surface damage between blade stations 25.0 (measured 30 inches inboard of the blade
tip) and 35.0 (measured 20 inches inboard of the blade tip).
2