[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 28, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58578-58580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-28396]
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[[Page 58579]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-SW-23-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Model R22
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 R22 helicopters. This proposal would require
replacement of the upper V-belt sheave (sheave). This proposal is
prompted by three reports of cracks in the flange of the sheave. The
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent failure of the
sheave, which could result in damage to other drive system components,
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 29, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 95-SW-23-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 Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Elizabeth Bumann, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (310) 627-5265,
FAX (310) 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. 95-SW-23-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 Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 95-SW-23-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas
76137.
Discussion
This document proposes the adoption of a new AD that is applicable
to Robinson Model R22 helicopters. In 1990, Robinson changed the
sheave, part number (P/N) A170-1I or J, and P/N A170-2J, from a casting
to a machined part. This change included some dimensional
modifications, one of which was a reduction in the thickness of the
sheave flange. Two reported cases of cracks in the thinner flange
prompted Robinson to issue Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Service
Bulletin SB-71, dated June 18, 1992, describing pre-flight owner/
operator checks of the sheave for cracks until replacement with a
modified sheave, P/N A170-1K or P/N A170-2K, is accomplished. This
service bulletin was not reviewed or approved by the FAA prior to its
issuance by Robinson. Another report of cracks in the thinner-flanged
sheave prompted Robinson to issue Robinson Helicopter Company R22
Service Bulletin SB-77, dated April 25, 1995, describing procedures for
removal and replacement of the thinner-flanged sheave. Any crack in the
sheave creates an unsafe condition. That condition, if not corrected,
could result in failure of the sheave, which could result in damage to
other drive system components, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
The FAA has reviewed and approved the design engineering aspects of
Robinson Helicopter R22 Service Bulletin SB-77, dated April 25, 1995,
which describes procedures for removal and replacement of sheave, P/N
A170-1I or J, or P/N A170-2J.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Robinson Model R22 helicopters of the same
type design, the proposed AD would require replacement of the affected
sheave with a sheave having a thicker flange within the next 100 hours
time-in-service (TIS) or 60 calendar days, whichever occurs first. The
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the
service bulletin described previously.
The FAA estimates that 650 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 $1,216 per helicopter for the sheave, P/N A170-1, and
$2,298 per helicopter for the sheave, P/N A170-2. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $1,298,050, assuming replacement of the sheave in all
650 helicopters, and assuming that one-half of the helicopters have the
sheave, P/N A170-1, installed, and one-half of the helicopters have the
sheave, P/N A170-2, installed.
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; 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
[[Page 58580]]
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), 40101, 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. 95-SW-23-AD.
Applicability: Model R22 helicopters with upper V-belt sheave
(sheave), part number (P/N) A170-1I or J, or P/N A170-2J, 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 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.
Note 2: Determination of whether the affected sheave has been
installed can be accomplished by measuring the depth from the edge
of the forward retainer plate to the flange of the sheave in an area
located between the webs as shown in Figure 2 of Robinson Helicopter
Company R22 Service Bulletin SB-77, dated April 25, 1995. If the
depth is greater than 0.30 inch, then either sheave, P/N A170-1I or
J, or sheave, P/N A170-2J, is installed.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the sheave, which could result in damage
to other drive system components, and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 60
calendar days, whichever occurs first after the effective date of
this AD, replace the sheave, P/N A170-1I or J, or P/N A170-2J, with
an airworthy sheave, P/N A170-1, or P/N A170-2, having a dimension
equal to or less than 0.30 inch measured from the edge of the
forward retainer plate to the flange of the sheave in an area
located between the webs, in accordance with paragraphs 2 through 15
of the Compliance Procedures of Robinson Helicopter Company R22
Service Bulletin SB-77, dated April 25, 1995.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used when 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.
(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 26, 1995.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-28396 Filed 11-27-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
