Airworthiness directives: Robinson Helicopter Co.,

[Federal Register: August 4, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 149)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 42296-42297]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr04au99-17]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-12-AD]

Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Robinson Model R44 helicopters, that currently requires removing and replacing the pilot's cyclic control grip assembly (grip assembly) with an airworthy grip assembly. This action would require the same actions as the current AD but would change a part number referenced in the current AD. This proposal is prompted by the discovery of an error in the part number (P/N) of the current AD. 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.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 4, 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-12-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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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 filedin 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. 99-SW-12-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-12-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

On October 7, 1998, the FAA issued AD 98-21-36, Amendment 39-10845 (63 FR 55783, October 19, 1998), to require removing and replacing the grip

[[Page 42297]]

assembly with an airworthy grip assembly. That action was prompted by a report of a crack in the welded corner of a grip assembly. The requirements of that 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.

Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has discovered that the AD contained an error. The P/N on the replacement grip assembly was incorrectly stated as P/N A756-6, Revision M (or later). It should have stated P/N A756-6, Revision O.

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other Robinson R44 helicopters of the same type design, the proposed AD would supersede AD 98-21-36 to require removing the grip assembly, P/N A756-6, Revision N or prior revision, and replacing it with an airworthy grip assembly other than P/N A765-6, Revision A through N.

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 removing Amendment 39-10845 (63 FR 55783), Docket No. 97-SW-01-AD, and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), to read as follows:

   Robinson Helicopter Company: Docket No. 99-SW-12-AD. Supersedes AD 98-21-36, Amendment 39-10845, Docket No. 97-SW-01-AD.

   Applicability: Model R44 helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 0001 through 0159, except S/N's 0143, 0150, and 0156, with pilot's cyclic control grip assembly (grip assembly), part number (P/N) A756-6, Revision N or prior revision, 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 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 (b) 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: Within 25 hours time-in-service or 30 calendar days, whichever occurs first, unless accomplished previously.

   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 A through N, and replace it with an airworthy grip assembly other than P/N A756- 6, Revision A through N.

   Note 2: Robinson KI-112 R44 Pilot's Grip Assembly Upgrade Kit instructions, dated December 20, 1996, pertain to the subject of this AD.

   (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 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 Secs. 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 July 28, 1999. Eric Bries, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 99-20063Filed8-3-99; 8:45 am]

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