[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 11, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43638-43641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20755]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-SW-08-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson)
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) applicable to Robinson Model R44 helicopters. The AD
would require inspecting the wire harness for contact with the fuel
line assembly, removing and replacing the fuel line assembly if chafing
has occurred, and installing spiral wrap tubing on the fuel line
assembly. This proposal is prompted by four incidents of contact
between the wire harness and the fuel line assembly. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent contact between
the wire harness and the fuel line, which could result in chafing of
the wire harness and a potential fire hazard.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 12, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-SW-08-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Bumann, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Blvd.,
Lakewood, California 90712-4137, telephone (562) 627-5265; 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.
[[Page 43639]]
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. 99-SW-08-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. 99-SW-08-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
Discussion: This document proposes the adoption of a new AD
applicable to Robinson Model R44 helicopters. The AD would require
inspecting for chafing and installing spiral wrap tubing on the fuel
line at the wire harness contact point. This proposal is prompted by
four incidents of contact between the wire harness and the fuel line
assembly above the fuel shutoff valve. In three of the incidents, the
wire harness contacted the fuel line just above the fuel valve. In the
fourth incident, the wire harness contacted the apex of the fuel line
nut. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent
contact between the wire harness and the fuel line assembly, which
could result in chafing of the wire harness and a potential fire
hazard.
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 inspecting the wire harness,
part number (P/N) C059, for contact with the fuel line assembly, P/N
C726-2; removing and replacing the fuel line assembly if chafing has
occurred; and installing spiral wrap tubing, P/N B161-8, on the fuel
line.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 200 helicopters of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 0.3 work
hour per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $0.22 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$3,644.
Regulatory Impact
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. 99-SW-08-AD.
Applicability: Model R44 helicopters, serial numbers 0002
through 0462, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required within 100 hours time-in-service or 90
calendar days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
first, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent contact between the wire harness and the fuel line
assembly, which could result in chafing of the wire harness and a
potential fire hazard, accomplish the following:
(a) Remove the cover, part number (P/N) C474-1, from between the
rear seatbacks.
(b) Inspect the wire harness, P/N C059, and the fuel line
assembly, P/N C726-2, above the fuel shutoff valve for contact. If
the wire harness contacts the fuel line assembly, inspect for
chafing.
(c) If chafing has occurred between the wire harness and the
fuel line assembly, replace the fuel line with an airworthy fuel
line assembly. Torque the fuel line nuts to 110-130 in-lbs. Verify
that clearance exists between the fuel line assembly and the wire
harness.
(d) Install a 3-inch section of spiral wrap tubing, P/N B161-8,
on the fuel line assembly as shown in Figure 1. Push the spiral wrap
tubing down until it is against the fuel line fitting.
Note 2: Robinson Helicopter Company Service Bulletin SB-31,
dated October 28, 1998, pertains to the subject of this AD.
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(e) 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 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.
(f) 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 August 4, 1999.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20755 Filed 8-10-99; 8:45 am]
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