[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 235 (Monday, December 8, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64511-64513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31677]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-SW-04-AD; Amendment 39-10228; AD 97-25-05]
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R22 
helicopters with a Lycoming 0-360-J2A engine installation. This AD 
requires replacing the carburetor and carburetor air temperature (CAT) 
gage with an improved carburetor that does not require manual leaning 
of the fuel/air mixture during flight, and a remarked CAT gage; and 
revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual to remove the reference to 
leaning the engine. This amendment is prompted by a report from the 
Civil Aviation Authority of Great Britain that cautioned that the 
mixture control could inadvertently be placed in the idle cutoff 
position during in-flight manual leaning of the fuel/air mixture in the 
carburetor of the Lycoming 0-360-J2A engine. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent inadvertent placement of the mixture 
control to the idle cutoff position during in-flight leaning of the 
engine, which could result in an engine shutdown and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective January 12, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 12, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, 
Torrance, California 90505, telephone (310) 539-0508; fax (310) 539-
5198. This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort 
Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the

[[Page 64512]]

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Elizabeth Bumann, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712-4137, telephone (562) 627-
5265; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Robinson Helicopter Company 
(Robinson) Model R22 helicopters with a Lycoming 0-360-J2A engine 
installation was published in the Federal Register on May 19, 1997 (62 
FR 27211). That action proposed to require replacing the carburetor and 
carburetor air temperature (CAT) gage with an improved carburetor that 
does not require manual leaning of the fuel/air mixture during flight, 
and remarking the CAT gage; and inserting revision procedures into the 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual that remove the reference to leaning the 
engine.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received.
    The commenter requests that ``or later'' be inserted following the 
revision and date of the kit instructions to allow for possible 
changes. The FAA does not concur with this request. The kit 
instructions contain information that is most generally contained in 
the body of a manufacturer's service bulletin. Subsequent revisions to 
these instructions will be evaluated by the FAA and if a change is 
warranted, issuance of a subsequent AD is the proper procedure for 
making such a change. Additionally, the phrase ``or a later FAA-
approved revision'' is removed from paragraph (b) of the AD. As with 
the kit instructions, if the FAA deems it necessary to require the 
insertion into the Rotorcraft Flight Manual of revised procedures, 
issuance of a subsequent AD is the proper procedure for making such a 
change.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
this AD.
    The FAA estimates that 50 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$3,641 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $197,050.
    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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 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:

AD 97-25-05  Robinson Helicopter Company: Amendment 39-10228. Docket 
No. 97-SW-04-AD.

    Applicability: Model R22 helicopters, serial number (S/N) 2571 
through 2664, 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 50 hours time-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent inadvertent placement of the mixture control to the 
idle cutoff position during in-flight leaning of the engine, which 
could result in an engine shutdown and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove the MA-4-5 carburetor and carburetor air temperature 
(CAT) gage, part number (P/N) C604-6, and replace them with an 
airworthy MA-4SPA carburetor and remarked CAT gage, P/N A604-2, in 
accordance with Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Service Bulletin SB-
82, dated March 3, 1997, and Robinson Helicopter Company KI-114 O-
360 Engine Carburetor Change Kit instructions, Revision A, dated 
March 6, 1997.
    (b) Upon completion of paragraph (a) of this AD, insert the FAA-
approved R22 Pilot's Operating Handbook Section 9, Supplements 7 
(R22 Beta II) and 8 (R22 Mariner II), revised February 6, 1997, into 
the R22 Rotorcraft Flight Manual.
    (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) The modification shall be done in accordance with Robinson 
Helicopter Company R22 Service Bulletin SB-82, dated March 3, 1997, 
and Robinson Helicopter Company KI-114 O-360 Engine Carburetor 
Change Kit instructions, Revision A, dated March 6, 1997. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the

[[Page 64513]]

Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 
Airport Drive, Torrance, California 90505, telephone (310) 539-0508; 
fax (310) 539-5198. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 12, 1998.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 25, 1997.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-31677 Filed 12-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U