[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 226 (Tuesday, November 24, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64849-64854]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31328]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-SW-45-AD; Amendment 39-10908; AD 98-21-09]
Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Model R22
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-21-09, which was sent
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Robinson
Helicopter Company (RHC) Model R22 helicopters by individual letters.
This AD requires installing fuel tank vent tube(s), with modified
attachment to the mast tube, if not previously accomplished; installing
a spring into the flexible tube leading to the main fuel tank; and
installing a spring into the flexible tube leading to the auxiliary
fuel tank, if an auxiliary fuel tank is installed. This amendment is
prompted by an incident in which the flexible vent connecting the rigid
vent tube to the main fuel tank kinked, resulting in fuel starvation
and a hard landing after uncommanded engine shutdown. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent fuel starvation, loss of
engine power, and a subsequent forced landing.
DATES: Effective December 9, 1998, to all persons except those persons
to whom it was made immediately effective by Priority Letter AD 98-21-
09, issued on September 28, 1998, which contained the requirements of
this amendment.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before January 25, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-SW-45-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Elizabeth Bumann, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Propulsion
Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone
(562) 627-5265, fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 28, 1998, the FAA issued
Priority Letter AD 98-21-09, applicable
[[Page 64850]]
to RHC Model R22 helicopters, which requires installing fuel tank vent
tube(s), with modified attachment to the mast tube, if not previously
accomplished; installing a spring into the flexible tube leading to the
main fuel tank; and installing a spring into the flexible tube leading
to the auxiliary fuel tank, if an auxiliary fuel tank is installed.
That action was prompted by an incident in which a hard landing
resulted from an uncommanded engine shutdown. The pilot reported that
the fuel quantity gauges indicated fuel consumption from the auxiliary
fuel tank only, with the main fuel tank indication remaining at or near
full. When the auxiliary fuel tank quantity gauge reached empty, the
engine misfired and then stopped. An inspection revealed a kink in the
flexible vent tube connecting the rigid vent tube to the main fuel
tank. Two similar incidents have occurred with this single vent design.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in fuel starvation, loss
of engine power, and a subsequent forced landing.
The FAA has reviewed RHC R22 Service Bulletin SB-83 dated March 4,
1997 (SB-83), which describes procedures for modifying attachment of
the fuel tank vent(s); and RHC R22 Service Bulletin SB-84 dated
September 8, 1998 (SB-84), which describes procedures for installing
springs in the vent tubes to prevent kinks. RHC kit instructions KI-
118-1 R22 Fuel Tank Vent Upgrade For Ships Without Auxiliary Tank,
dated March 4, 1997, and RHC KI-118-2 R22 Fuel Tank Vent Upgrade For
Ships With Auxiliary Tank, dated April 29, 1997, which describe
procedures for installing fuel tank vent tube(s), part number (P/N)
A731-3, are attached to SB-83. RHC kit instructions KI-140 R22 Fuel
Tank Vent Upgrade For Fuel Tanks With Single Vent, dated September 3,
1998, which describe procedures for installing springs into the
flexible tube leading to the main fuel tank, and, if an auxiliary fuel
tank is installed, into the flexible tube leading to the auxiliary fuel
tank, are attached to SB-84.
Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop
on other RHC Model R22 helicopters of the same type design, the FAA
issued priority letter AD 98-21-09 to prevent fuel starvation, loss of
engine power, and a subsequent forced landing. The AD requires, within
25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 30 calendar days after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, installing fuel tank vent
tube(s), P/N A731-3, with modified attachment to the mast tube, if not
previously accomplished; installing a spring, P/N B408-2, into the
flexible tube leading to the main fuel tank; and installing a spring,
P/N B408-1, into the flexible tube leading to the auxiliary fuel tank,
if an auxiliary fuel tank is installed. The short compliance time
involved is required because the previously described critical unsafe
condition can adversely affect the controllability of the helicopter.
Therefore, the installations are required prior to further flight, and
this AD must be issued immediately.
Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required,
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters
issued on September 28, 1998, to all known U.S. owners and operators of
RHC Model R22 helicopters. These conditions still exist, and the AD is
hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to Sec. 39.13
of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective
to all persons.
The only change to the priority letter in this published version of
this AD is that the reference in Note 1 to the alternative methods of
compliance is corrected from paragraph ``(d)'' to paragraph ``(c)''.
The FAA estimates that 700 helicopters of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $65
for each helicopter without an auxiliary fuel tank installed or $105
for each helicopter with an auxiliary fuel tank installed. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $225 per helicopter for helicopters with an auxiliary
fuel tank installed, or $185 per helicopter for helicopters without an
auxiliary fuel tank installed.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 98-SW-45-AD''. The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from 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.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
[[Page 64851]]
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:
98-21-09 Robinson Helicopter Company: Amendment 39-10908. Docket
No. 98-WW-45-AD.
Applicability: Model R22 helicopters, serial numbers 0002
through 1451, inclusive, 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 (c) 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 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: Required within 25 hours time-in-service or 30
calendar days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
first, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent fuel starvation, loss of engine power, and a
subsequent forced landing, for helicopters overhauled by Robinson
Helicopter Company (RHC) prior to January 1, 1991, which do not have
a main fuel tank (only) with dual vent tubes, or, if the auxiliary
fuel tank is installed, do not have a crossover vent tube between
the fuel tanks, accomplish the following:
(a) Visually inspect the fuel tank vent tube(s) in the mast
fairing. If each fuel tank vent tube is attached only to the mast
tube at two locations, the helicopter complies with the requirements
of paragraph (a) of this AD. If each fuel tank vent tube is attached
to the mast tube at one location, and to the rain scupper (channel),
part number (P/N) A032-16, on the fuel tank cowling at another
location:
(1) For helicopters without an auxiliary fuel tank installed,
remove the existing vent tube, P/N A731-1, and install an airworthy
vent tube, P/N A731-3, with flexible tube, P/N A729-7, using an
MS27039C0806 screw and AN960-8L washer (alternate P/N NAS1149FN816P)
at the lower clamp, P/N A695-1 (see Figure 1).
(2) For helicopters with an auxiliary fuel tank installed,
remove the existing main fuel tank vent tube, P/N A731-1, and
auxiliary fuel tank vent tube, P/N A731-2, and install airworthy
vent tubes, P/N A731-3, with flexible tube, P/N A729-7, for main
tank and flexible tube, P/N A729-17, for auxiliary tank using
MS27039C0807 screw and AN960-8L washer (alternate P/N NAS1149FN816P)
at lower clamp, P/N A695-1 (see Figure 2).
(b) Install spring, P/N B408-2, into the flexible vent tube, P/N
A729-7, leading to the main fuel tank; and install spring, P/N B408-
1, into the flexible vent tube, P/N A729-17, leading to the
auxiliary fuel tank (if an auxiliary fuel tank is installed), in
accordance with RHC kit instructions KI-140 R22 Fuel Tank Vent
Upgrade For Fuel Tanks With Single Vent, dated September 3, 1998.
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Note 2: RHC R22 Service Bulletin SB-83, dated March 4, 1997, and
RHC R22 Service Bulletin SB-84, dated September 8,1998, pertain to
the subject of this AD.
(c) 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, FAA. 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 3: 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.
(d) 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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on December 9, 1998, to all
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately
effective by Priority Letter AD 98-21-09, issued September 28, 1998,
which contained the requirements of this amendment.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 17, 1998.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-31328 Filed 11-23-98; 8:45 am]
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