[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4001-4002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1702]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-SW-14-AD; Amendment 39-9899; AD 97-02-14 ]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Model R22 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes 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 amendment requires the 
same actions required by the existing AD, as well as requires an 
insertion of procedures for the improved throttle governor into the 
Normal and Emergency sections of the R22 Rotorcraft Flight Manual and 
corrects the applicability section of the existing AD. This amendment 
is prompted by the need to insert normal and emergency procedures for 
the improved throttle governor into the flight manual, and expand the 
applicability statement of this AD to include all Robinson Model R22 
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 blade stall and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 4, 1997.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 96-11-08, 
Amendment 39-9633 (61 FR 26429, May 28, 1996), which is applicable to 
Robinson Model R22 helicopters, was published in the Federal Register 
on August 30, 1996 (61 FR 45916). That action proposed 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, proposed to expand the applicability section to additional Model 
R22 helicopters and revise the estimated cost impact of the existing 
AD.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.
    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 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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 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 39-9633 (61 FR 
26429, May 28, 1996), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
Amendment 39-9899, to read as follows:

AD 97-02-14  Robinson Helicopter Company: Amendment 39-9899. 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)

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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 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on March 4, 1997.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 14, 1997.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-1702 Filed 1-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U