[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 170 (Friday, August 30, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45918-45919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22137]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-SW-15-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 
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 R44 helicopters, that currently requires 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 R44 Rotorcraft Flight Manual that prohibit flight with 
the throttle governor (governor) selected off, except in certain 
situations. This action would require the same compliance actions 
required by the existing AD, and would correct the applicability 
section of the existing AD. This proposal is prompted by the need to 
expand the helicopter serial number applicability to include all 
Robinson Model R44 helicopters. 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 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-15-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 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-15-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-15-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137.

Discussion

    On May 15, 1996, the FAA issued AD 96-11-09, Amendment 39-9634 (61 
FR 26427, May 28, 1996), to require 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 R44 Rotorcraft Flight 
Manual that prohibit flight with the governor selected off, except in 
certain situations. That action was prompted by an FAA Technical Panel 
Review of Robinson 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 
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) 0001 to 01183 and 
0189,'' to include all Robinson Model R44 helicopters.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Robinson Model R44

[[Page 45919]]

helicopters of the same type design, the proposed AD would supersede AD 
96-11-09 to require 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 R44 Rotorcraft Flight Manual that 
prohibit flight with the governor selected off, except in certain 
situations, for all Robinson Model R44 helicopters.
    The FAA estimates that 20 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 0.2 work hour per 
helicopter to accomplish the actions, and that the average labor rate 
is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $240.
    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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-9634 (61 FR 
26427, May 28, 1996), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
to read as follows:

Robinson Helicopter Company: Docket No. 96-SW-15-AD. Supersedes AD 
96-11-09, Amendment 39-9634.

    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 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) RPM, which could 
result in unrecoverable M/R stall and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Adjust the A569-6 low RPM warning unit so that the warning 
horn and caution light activate when the M/R RPM is between 96% and 
97% rotor RPM in accordance with the procedures contained in the 
Model R44 maintenance manual.
    (b) Revise the FAA-approved Robinson Helicopter Company R44 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to 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 R44 RFM revision dated July 
25, 1996, into the RFM.
    (c) 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, FAA. 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.

    (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.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 19, 1996.
Daniel P. Salvano,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-22137 Filed 8-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U