61-18-02: Tail Rotor Modification
FAA order 61-18-02 is an airworthiness directive in force since August 29, 1961. The FAA's subject line: Tail Rotor Modification. It names Brantly B-2: about 53 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: rotorcraft systems.
What it applies to as the FAA lists it
- Kind of product
- Aircraft
- Makes
- Brantly International, Inc.
- Models
- B-2, B-2A, B-2B
- On this site
- Brantly B-2 53 registered
Dates and paperwork
- In force since
- August 29, 1961
- Docket
- Unknown
- Status
- Current
- The FAA's document
- Read the order on the FAA's site
The order itself the regulatory text, as published
Show the full text (1,423 characters)
61-18-02 BRANTLY: Amdt. 327 Part 507 Federal Register August 24, 1961. Applies to All Model B-2 Helicopters prior to Serial No. 112.
Compliance required within the next 25 hours' time in service after effective date of this directive unless already accomplished.
Investigation of a recent Model B-2 helicopter accident indicated evidence of limited tail rotor control. Accordingly, in order to provide directional control over a wider main rotor r.p.m. range, the following modification and rerigging of the tail rotor is required:
(a) Modify the rudder control arm P/N B2-284-1 as follows.
(1) Disconnect the vertical rudder rod P/N B2-251-5 at its top end by removing the AN 3-10A bolt.
(2) Drill a 1/16-inch diameter hole and then enlarge to 0.187-inch diameter 1/2 inch inboard (center to center) from the existing hole in the rudder control arm P/N B2-284-1. Deburr edges.
(3) Cut off the end of the rudder control arm P/N B2-284-1 with the old 0.187-inch hole 0.344-inch outboard from the centerline of the new 0.187-inch hole (0.250-inch edge distance from new hole) and perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rudder control arm. Break all sharp edges.
(4) Rerig the tail rotor in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, Service Bulletin No. 15.
(Brantly Service Bulletin No. 15 dated June 23, 1961, covers this subject.)
This directive effective August 29, 1961.
Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders
2007-04-17SW-07-28 · Rotor blade cracks
2004-09-23SW-04-90 ·
Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/61-18-02.json · aircraft systems.
