[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 201 (Monday, October 19, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55783-55784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27760]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-SW-01-AD; Amendment 39-10845; AD 98-21-36]
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 
helicopters, that requires removing and replacing the cyclic control 
pilot's grip assembly (grip assembly) with an airworthy grip assembly. 
This amendment is prompted by a report of a crack in the welded corner 
of a grip assembly. The actions specified by this 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.

DATES: Effective November 23, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 23, 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 Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: 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 Model R44 helicopters was 
published in the Federal Register on October 17, 1997 (62 FR 53977). 
That action proposed to require removing and replacing the cyclic 
control pilot's grip assembly (grip

[[Page 55784]]

assembly) with an airworthy grip assembly.
    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 that credit is given in the 
final rule for previous compliance with the requirement of this AD by 
adding ``unless accomplished previously'' in the compliance section. 
The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 5 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 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 
$576 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,080.
    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 98-21-36  Robinson Helicopter Company: Amendment 39-10845. 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 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, unless 
accomplished previously.
    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.
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with KI-112 R44 
Pilot's Grip Assembly Upgrade Kit instructions, dated December 20, 
1996. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director 
of the 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. 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 23, 1998.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 7, 1998.
Larry M. Kelly,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27760 Filed 10-16-98; 8:45 am]
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