[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]
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