A tail rotor assembly includes a slotted pitch horn which replaces a production non-replaceable pitch horn. A slot is cut along a leading edge of each pitch control horn and a chordwise cut is made through the upper and lower blade surface skins. The production pitch control horn is removed from the tail rotor assembly by passing the spar through the slot. The slotted pitch horn is assembled over the spar and a collar is located adjacent thereto. The collar is bonded to the slotted pitch horn and the upper and lower blade surface skins at predetermined bond areas. An inner horn plate and an outer horn plate are bonded over the horn slot and a trailing edge doubler is bonded to the blade trailing edge to finish the trailing edge horn area and close the upper and lower skin surfaces.