[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 125 (Thursday, June 29, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33687-33689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16002]
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[[Page 33688]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-SW-25-AD; Amendment 39-9300; AD 95-11-10]
Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44
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) 95-11-10 which was sent
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Robinson
Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 helicopters by individual
letters. This AD requires installation of a placard in the helicopter,
and insertion of a prohibition against low-gravity (G) cyclic pushover
maneuvers into the LIMITATIONS section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual.
This amendment is prompted by a recent Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) analysis of the manufacturer's data that indicates a low-G cyclic
pushover maneuver may result in mast-bumping on the Robinson Model R44
helicopters. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
in-flight main rotor separation or contact between the main rotor
blades and the airframe of the helicopter, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective on July 14, 1995, to all persons except those persons
to whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 95-11-
10, issued on May 25, 1995, which contained the requirements of this
amendment.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before August 28, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 95-SW-25-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lirio Liu, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Blvd.,
Lakewood, California 90712-4137, telephone (310) 627-5229; fax (310)
627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 25, 1995, the FAA issued priority
letter AD 95-11-10, applicable to Robinson Model R44 helicopters, which
requires installation of a placard in the helicopter, and insertion of
a prohibition against low-G cyclic pushover maneuvers into the
LIMITATIONS section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual. That action was
prompted by a recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) analysis of
the manufacturer's data that indicates a low-G cyclic pushover maneuver
may result in mast-bumping on the Robinson Model R44 helicopters. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in in-flight main rotor
separation or contact between the main rotor blades and the airframe of
the helicopter, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop
on other Robinson Model R44 helicopters of the same type design, the
FAA issued priority letter AD 95-11-10 to prevent in-flight main rotor
separation or contact between the main rotor blades and the airframe of
the helicopter, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The
AD requires installation of a placard in the helicopter, in clear view
of the pilots, stating that low-G cyclic pushovers are prohibited; and
insertion of a prohibition against low-G cyclic pushover maneuvers into
SECTION 2, LIMITATIONS, of the Model R44 FAA-approved Rotorcraft Flight
Manual.
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 May 25, 1995, to all known U.S. owners and operators of
Robinson Model R44 helicopters. These conditions still exist, and the
AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to
section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to
make it effective to all persons.
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. 95-SW-25-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
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the
[[Page 33689]]
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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
to read as follows:
AD 95-11-10 Robinson Helicopter Company: Amendment 39-9300. Docket
No. 95-SW-25-AD.
Applicability: Model R44 helicopters, 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 before further flight, unless accomplished
previously.
Note 2: Compliance with this AD may be accomplished by
completing the ``Compliance Procedure'' of Robinson Helicopter
Company R44 Service Bulletin SB-6, dated May 23, 1995, and by
incorporating into the Model R44 FAA-approved Rotorcraft Flight
Manual the revised pages 2-7 and 2-12, both of which were approved
by the FAA on May 19, 1995.
To prevent in-flight main rotor separation or contact between
the main rotor blades and the airframe of the helicopter, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
(a) Insert the following information into SECTION 2,
LIMITATIONS, of the Model R44 FAA-approved Rotorcraft Flight Manual:
Flight and Maneuver Limitations
Low-G cyclic pushovers are prohibited.
Placards
In clear view of the pilots:
Low-G Pushovers Prohibited
(b) Install a placard that contains the following statement in
the helicopter in clear view of the pilots. The size and location of
the placard must be such that it is easily readable by the pilots:
Low-G Pushovers Prohibited
Note 3: This placard may be produced locally.
(c) 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 or Operations Inspector, who
may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office.
Note 4: 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 July 14, 1995, to all
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately
effective by Priority Letter AD 95-11-10, issued May 25, 1995, which
contained the requirements of this amendment.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 23, 1995.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-16002 Filed 6-28-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
