[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53977-53979]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27585]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-SW-01-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 adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Robinson Helicopter Company 
(Robinson) Model R44 helicopters. This proposal would require removing 
and replacing the cyclic control pilot's grip assembly (grip assembly) 
with an airworthy grip assembly. This proposal is prompted by a report 
of a crack in the welded corner of a grip assembly. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent use of a grip 
assembly that may crack, resulting in failure of the grip assembly and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.


[[Page 53978]]


DATES: Comments must be received by December 16, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-SW-01-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.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, 
Torrance, California 90505. This information may be examined at the 
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Fred Guerin, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe Branch, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 627-
5232, fax (562) 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. 97-SW-01-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 Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-SW-01-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    This action proposes the adoption of a new AD that is applicable to 
Robinson Model R44 helicopters. The proposed AD would require removing 
the grip assembly, part number (P/N) A756-6 Revision N (or prior), and 
replacing it with an airworthy grip assembly, P/N A756-6 Revision M (or 
later), within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 30 calendar days after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. This proposal is 
prompted by one report of a crack in the welded corner of the grip 
assembly. The actions specified in this proposal are intended to 
prevent use of a grip assembly that may crack, which could result in 
failure of the grip assembly and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    The FAA has reviewed Robinson Helicopter Company KI-112 R44 Pilot's 
Grip Assembly Upgrade Kit instructions, dated December 20, 1996, which 
describes procedures for replacement of the grip assembly.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Robinson Model R44 helicopters of the same 
type design, the proposed AD would require removing the grip assembly, 
P/N A756-6 Revision N (or prior), and replacing it with an airworthy 
grip assembly, P/N A765-6 Revision M (or later), within 25 hours TIS or 
30 calendar days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
first. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with 
the kit instructions described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 5 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work 
hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $576 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$4,080.
    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 adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

Robinson Helicopter Company: Docket No. 97-SW-01-AD.

    Applicability: Model R44 helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 0001 
through 0159, except S/N 0143, 0150, and 0156, with cyclic control 
pilot's grip assembly (grip assembly), part number (P/N) A756-6 
Revision N or prior, installed, 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 (b) 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

[[Page 53979]]

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: Within 25 hours time-in-service or 30 calendar days 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    To prevent use of a grip assembly that may crack, resulting in 
failure of the grip assembly and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove the grip assembly, P/N A756-6 Revision N (or prior), 
and replace it with an airworthy grip assembly, P/N A756-6 Revision 
M (or later), in accordance with KI-112 R44 Pilot's Grip Assembly 
Upgrade Kit instructions, dated December 20, 1996.
    (b) 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.

    (c) 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 October 9, 1997.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-27585 Filed 10-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U