[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 149 (Wednesday, August 4, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42296-42297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20063]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-SW-12-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson)
Model R44 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Robinson Model R44
helicopters, that currently requires removing and replacing the pilot's
cyclic control grip assembly (grip assembly) with an airworthy grip
assembly. This action would require the same actions as the current AD
but would change a part number referenced in the current AD. This
proposal is prompted by the discovery of an error in the part number
(P/N) of the current AD. 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.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 4, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-SW-12-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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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. 99-SW-12-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. 99-SW-12-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
Discussion
On October 7, 1998, the FAA issued AD 98-21-36, Amendment 39-10845
(63 FR 55783, October 19, 1998), to require removing and replacing the
grip
[[Page 42297]]
assembly with an airworthy grip assembly. That action was prompted by a
report of a crack in the welded corner of a grip assembly. The
requirements of that 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.
Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has discovered that the AD
contained an error. The P/N on the replacement grip assembly was
incorrectly stated as P/N A756-6, Revision M (or later). It should have
stated P/N A756-6, Revision O.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Robinson R44 helicopters of the same type
design, the proposed AD would supersede AD 98-21-36 to require removing
the grip assembly, P/N A756-6, Revision N or prior revision, and
replacing it with an airworthy grip assembly other than P/N A765-6,
Revision A through N.
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 removing Amendment 39-10845 (63 FR
55783), Docket No. 97-SW-01-AD, and by adding a new airworthiness
directive (AD), to read as follows:
Robinson Helicopter Company: Docket No. 99-SW-12-AD. Supersedes AD
98-21-36, Amendment 39-10845, Docket No. 97-SW-01-AD.
Applicability: Model R44 helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 0001
through 0159, except S/N's 0143, 0150, and 0156, with pilot's cyclic
control grip assembly (grip assembly), part number (P/N) A756-6,
Revision N or prior revision, 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
otherwise 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Within 25 hours time-in-service or 30 calendar days,
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 A through N,
and replace it with an airworthy grip assembly other than P/N A756-
6, Revision A through N.
Note 2: Robinson KI-112 R44 Pilot's Grip Assembly Upgrade Kit
instructions, dated December 20, 1996, pertain to the subject of
this AD.
(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 3: 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
Secs. 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 July 28, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20063 Filed 8-3-99; 8:45 am]
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