AD Issued for MD Helicopters 369 and 500 Tail Rotor Pedal Support Brackets
The FAA has issued a new Airworthiness Directive (AD 2025-17-11) for certain MD Helicopters Model 369 and 500 helicopters. The AD was prompted by multiple reports of cracked magnesium tail rotor (T/R) pedal support brackets.
This AD requires repetitive inspections of:
- Magnesium cast T/R pedal support brackets (P/Ns 369A7505-7, 369A7505-8, 369A705-14, 369A7505-15); and
- Aluminum cast T/R pedal support brackets (P/N 369N2640-1, 369N2640-2)
These repetitive inspections must occur according to the following time-in-service (TIS):
- Within 25 hours TIS of AD effectivity, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, conduct a visual inspection using a 10X power magnification glass, mirror and flashlight for cracks and corrosion; and
- Within 50 hours TIS of AD effectivity, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS, conduct an eddy current, dye penetrant or fluorescent penetrant inspection for cracks.
If cracks or corrosion are found in any inspection, the pedal support bracket must be replaced with an aluminum cast pedal support bracket. That replacement bracket will still be subject to the repetitive inspections of this AD. In addition, this AD prohibits installation of any affected magnesium cast pedal support bracket on any helicopter.
This AD is effective October 10, 2025.