[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 170 (Friday, August 30, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45916-45918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22136]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-SW-14-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 supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Robinson Helicopter Company 
(Robinson) Model R22 helicopters, that currently requires installation 
of an improved throttle governor; an adjustment to the low RPM warning 
unit threshold to increase the revolutions-per minute (RPM) at which 
the warning horn and caution light activate; and revisions to the R22 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual that prohibit flight with the improved 
throttle governor selected off, except in certain situations. This 
action would require the same compliance actions required by the 
existing AD, as well as require an insertion of procedures for the 
improved throttle governor into the Normal and Emergency sections of 
the R22 Rotorcraft Flight Manual and correct the applicability section 
of the existing AD. This proposal is prompted by the need to insert 
normal and emergency procedures for the improved throttle governor in 
the flight manual, as well as clarify the helicopter serial numbers to 
which the AD applies. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to minimize the possibility of pilot mismanagement of the main 
rotor (M/R) RPM, which could result in unrecoverable M/R blade stall 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 96-SW-14-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: Ms. Elizabeth Bumann, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712 4137, 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

[[Page 45917]]

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. 96-SW 14-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. 96-SW-14-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137.

Discussion

    On May 15, 1996, the FAA issued AD 96-11-08, Amendment 39-9633 (61 
FR 26429, May 28, 1996), to require installation of an improved 
throttle governor; an adjustment to the low RPM warning unit threshold 
to increase the RPM at which the warning horn and caution light 
activate; and, revisions to the R22 Rotorcraft Flight Manual that 
prohibit flight with the improved throttle governor selected off, 
except in certain situations. That action was prompted by an FAA 
Technical Panel review of Model R22 accident history data which 
revealed that M/R blade stall at abnormally low M/R RPM resulted in 
accidents. The requirements of that AD are intended to minimize the 
possibility of pilot mismanagement of the M/R RPM, which could result 
in unrecoverable M/R blade stall and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has determined that the 
affected serial-numbered helicopters in the applicability section of 
that AD should be changed from ``serial number (S/N) 0002 to 2537,'' to 
include all Model R22 helicopters. The FAA has also determined that R22 
Rotorcraft Flight Manuals issued prior to July 6, 1995 did not address 
normal and emergency procedures for the improved throttle governor. 
Finally, since the issuance of the existing AD, the FAA has determined 
that the cost estimate for installation of the improved throttle 
governor kits did not include the replacement cost of the magnetos.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Model R22 helicopters of the same type 
design, the proposed AD would supersede AD 96-11-08 to require 
installation of the improved throttle governor; an adjustment to the 
low RPM warning unit threshold; insertions of language into the R22 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual in the Normal and Emergency sections to 
address procedures for the improved throttle governor, as well as an 
insertion in the Limitations section that prohibits flight with the 
improved throttle governor selected off, except in certain situations; 
and, would expand the applicability section to additional Model R22 
helicopters and revise the estimated cost impact of the existing AD.
    The FAA estimates that 1,014 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work hours to 
install the improved throttle governor, or 7 hours to upgrade the 
throttle/collective governor, 4 hours to upgrade the magnetos, if 
required, and approximately 0.2 work hour to accomplish the adjustment 
of the light/warning horn RPM, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $2,150 per 
helicopter to install the improved throttle governor, or approximately 
$500 for upgrading the throttle/collective governor per helicopter. 
Installation of upgraded magnetos, if required, will cost approximately 
$927 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,029,088. This cost 
estimate assumes that no helicopters are currently equipped with a 
governor and all will need the improved throttle governor installed. 
Additionally, the cost estimate assumes that 300 Model R22 helicopters 
will require installation of the upgraded magnetos.
    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 39-9633 (61 FR 
26430, May 28, 1996) and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
to read as follows:

Robinson Helicopter Company: Docket No. 96-SW-14-AD. Supersedes AD 
96-11-08, Amendment 39-9633.

    Applicability: Model R22 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 (e) 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 within 30 days after the effective date of 
this AD, unless accomplished previously.
    To minimize the possibility of pilot mismanagement of the main 
rotor (M/R) revolutions-per-minute (RPM), which could result in 
unrecoverable M/R blade stall and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Adjust the A569-1 or -5 low-RPM warning unit so that the 
warning horn and caution light activate when the M/R RPM is

[[Page 45918]]

between 96% and 97% rotor RPM in accordance with the procedures 
contained in the Model R22 maintenance manual.
    (b) For Model R22 helicopters that do not have a governor 
currently installed, install a Robinson Helicopter Company KI-67-2 
Governor Field Installation Kit in accordance with the kit 
instructions. Upon completion of the governor installation required 
by this paragraph, revise the FAA-approved Robinson Helicopter 
Company R22 Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) in accordance with 
paragraph (d) of this AD.
    (c) For Model R22 helicopters that have a throttle/collective 
governor currently installed, upgrade the governor with a Robinson 
Helicopter Company KI-67-3 Governor Upgrade Kit in accordance with 
the kit instructions. Upon completion of the upgrade required by 
this paragraph, revise the FAA-approved Robinson Helicopter Company 
R22 Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) in accordance with paragraphs (d) 
of this AD.
    (d) Revise the FAA-approved Robinson Helicopter Company R22 RFM 
as follows:
    (1) Insert the FAA-approved Robinson Helicopter Company R22 RFM 
revision, dated July 6, 1995, or later FAA-approved revision 
addressing the governor normal and emergency procedures, into the 
Normal and Emergency sections of the RFM.
    (2) Include the following statement in the Limitations section: 
``Flight prohibited with governor selected off, with exceptions for 
inflight system malfunction or emergency procedures training.'' This 
may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD or the FAA-
approved Robinson Helicopter Company R22 RFM revision dated July 23, 
1996, into the RFM.
    (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 2: 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 19, 1996.
Daniel P. Salvano,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-22136 Filed 8-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U