Owning, Flying and Maintaining a Safari

Mandatory Inspection-004 Inspection of Engine Governor Motor

MI004 EngineGovernor Motor Mandatory Inspection of Engine Governor Motor September 25, 2017 A Safari owner has experienced a failure of the engine governor stepper motor in flight. Fortunately, he was able to bring the aircraft safely to the ground without damage. Inspection of the motor revealed that water had entered the small hole in the…

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Mandatory Inspection-002 Main Rotor Spindle Machining/Field Damage

Download PDF  MI-002 Main Rotor Spindle Machining/Field Damage In the course of the NTSB investigation of the fatal accident May 22, 2010 of Gauchat-Safari Helicopter N147MD, the NTSB Materials Laboratory identified distinct circumferential machining marks in the radius of the main rotor spindle. A fatigue fracture originated at the point of transition from the radius…

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Flex Coupling – April 5, 2017

We have previously recommended that the flex coupling connecting the main transmission output to the tail rotor be replaced when showing signs of cracking. As the photo below shows, the coupling can break before showing obvious signs. This coupling had been on the helicopter for several years, but did not show signs of “spider cracks”.…

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Carburetor Heat – March 20, 2017

We strongly recommend that you consider adding to your preflight inspection checklist a carburetor heat functionality test. Due to the location of the carburetor on the Safari, we are concerned that operators may believe that carburetor icing is not possible. It is unlikely, but it is certainly possible. In addition to checking the function of…

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Pre-flight Inspection – September 30, 2015

Perhaps the single most important part of any flight occurs before the aircraft ever leaves the ground. A thorough, skillful, and unhurried pre-flight inspection is critical to safe operation of your helicopter. As the manufacturer of your helicopter, you are responsible for  creating the checklist that will be used to determine the airworthiness of the…

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Yoke Cap Bolts – August 7, 2015

NOTICE TO SAFARI OWNERS REGARDING YOKE CAP BOLTS Due to difficulties securing a dependable supply of the yoke cap bolts currently in use, we have begun using a different type of high tensile hex cap bolt to secure the yoke caps of the rotor head. The current yoke cap bolt, which is also a high…

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Blade Grip Bolts – July 15, 2015

NOTICE TO SAFARI OWNERS REGARDING UPGRADE BLADE GRIP BOLTS We have located a new source for a stronger fastener system for attachment of the main rotor blades to the rotor grips.  While the current fasteners have been in use for some time without any failures, we have proven the replacements to have greater tensile strength. …

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Mandatory Inspection-001 Main Transmission Drive Shaft Scarring

Download PDF In several SAFARI helicopters, minor scarring has been observed on the titanium main transmission drive shaft at the point of contact with the mast bearing seals. Due to the robust design of the drive shaft, minor scarring is not a matter for concern. To prevent this from developing on helicopters currently being built,…

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Titanium Fretting – May 26, 2015

May 26, 2015 NOTICE TO ALL SAFARI OWNERS REGARDING INSPECTION OF MAIN TRANSMISSION AND TAIL ROTOR TRANSMISSION OIL Within the transmissions of the Safari Helicopter, there are several parts made of Titanium. Titanium is an alloy that is not magnetic, so any particles of Titanium that are present in the gear oils will not attach…

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Safety Notice SN019 – Tail Rotor Pitch Arm Inspection

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…

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