[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4002-4003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1704]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-SW-15-AD; Amendment 39-9900; AD 97-02-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 
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 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 
amendment requires the same compliance actions required by the existing 
AD, and corrects the applicability section of the existing AD. This 
amendment is prompted by the need to expand the applicability statement 
of this AD 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.

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 96-11-09, 
Amendment 39-9634 (61 FR 26427, May 28, 1996), which is applicable to 
Robinson Model R44 helicopters was published in the Federal Register on 
August 30, 1996 (61 FR 45918). That action proposed 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.
    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, except for an editorial change to 
correct an error to the renumbering of the notes.
    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 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:

[[Page 4003]]

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 39-9634 (61 FR 
26427, May 28, 1996), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
Amendment 39-9900, to read as follows:

AD 97-02-15  Robinson Helicopter Company: Amendment 39-9900. 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 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.

    (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 March 4, 1997.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 14, 1997.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-1704 Filed 1-27-97; 8:45 am]
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