[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53977-53979]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27585]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-SW-01-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to Robinson Helicopter Company
(Robinson) Model R44 helicopters. This proposal would require removing
and replacing the cyclic control pilot's grip assembly (grip assembly)
with an airworthy grip assembly. This proposal is prompted by a report
of a crack in the welded corner of a grip assembly. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent use of a grip
assembly that may crack, resulting in failure of the grip assembly and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
[[Page 53978]]
DATES: Comments must be received by December 16, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-SW-01-AD, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at
this location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive,
Torrance, California 90505. This information may be examined at the
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Fred Guerin, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe Branch, 3960
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 627-
5232, fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-SW-01-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-SW-01-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
Discussion
This action proposes the adoption of a new AD that is applicable to
Robinson Model R44 helicopters. The proposed AD would require removing
the grip assembly, part number (P/N) A756-6 Revision N (or prior), and
replacing it with an airworthy grip assembly, P/N A756-6 Revision M (or
later), within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 30 calendar days after
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. This proposal is
prompted by one report of a crack in the welded corner of the grip
assembly. The actions specified in this proposal are intended to
prevent use of a grip assembly that may crack, which could result in
failure of the grip assembly and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
The FAA has reviewed Robinson Helicopter Company KI-112 R44 Pilot's
Grip Assembly Upgrade Kit instructions, dated December 20, 1996, which
describes procedures for replacement of the grip assembly.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Robinson Model R44 helicopters of the same
type design, the proposed AD would require removing the grip assembly,
P/N A756-6 Revision N (or prior), and replacing it with an airworthy
grip assembly, P/N A765-6 Revision M (or later), within 25 hours TIS or
30 calendar days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
first. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with
the kit instructions described previously.
The FAA estimates that 5 helicopters of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work
hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $576 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$4,080.
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact,
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
to read as follows:
Robinson Helicopter Company: Docket No. 97-SW-01-AD.
Applicability: Model R44 helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 0001
through 0159, except S/N 0143, 0150, and 0156, with cyclic control
pilot's grip assembly (grip assembly), part number (P/N) A756-6
Revision N or prior, installed, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration
eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the
[[Page 53979]]
unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence
of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any helicopter
from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Within 25 hours time-in-service or 30 calendar days
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
To prevent use of a grip assembly that may crack, resulting in
failure of the grip assembly and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Remove the grip assembly, P/N A756-6 Revision N (or prior),
and replace it with an airworthy grip assembly, P/N A756-6 Revision
M (or later), in accordance with KI-112 R44 Pilot's Grip Assembly
Upgrade Kit instructions, dated December 20, 1996.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then
send it to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 9, 1997.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-27585 Filed 10-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
