SAIB SW-11-15

FAA Aviation Safety

SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS

INFORMATION BULLETIN SAIB: SW-11-15 SUBJ: Carbon Monoxide Detectors Date: January 6, 2011 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts owners and operators of Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R22 Helicopters, serial number (S/N) 0001 thru 4037, and Model R44 Helicopters, S/N 0001 thru 1590, equipped with cabin heaters, to install carbon monoxide detectors.

At this time, this airworthiness concern is not considered an unsafe condition that would warrant an airworthiness directive action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.

Background Robinson Model R22 Helicopters, S/N 0001 thru 4037, and Model R44 Helicopters, S/N 0001 thru 1590, with cabin heater installations did not contain carbon monoxide detectors. The actions specified by this SAIB are intended to provide a warning to the pilot when high levels of carbon monoxide are detected in the cabin. High levels of carbon monoxide in the cabin can result in the pilot becoming incapacitated or impaired judgment. Such a condition could lead to the pilot not being able to make critical flight safety decisions and result in loss of control of the aircraft.

Recommendations We recommend that owners and operators equipped with the cabin heaters as listed above, comply with Robinson Helicopter Company Service Bulletin SB-100, dated April 30, 2010, or Service Bulletin SB-70, dated March 25, 2009, which specify the installation of carbon monoxide detectors.

For Further Information Contact Venessa Stiger, Aerospace Engineer, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90710; phone: (562) 627-5337; fax: (562) 627-5210; e-mail: venessa.stiger@faa.gov.

For Related Service Information Contact Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505; phone: (310) 539-0508;

fax: (310) 539-5198.