[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]
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