[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 11, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43638-43641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20755]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-08-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 adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) applicable to Robinson Model R44 helicopters. The AD 
would require inspecting the wire harness for contact with the fuel 
line assembly, removing and replacing the fuel line assembly if chafing 
has occurred, and installing spiral wrap tubing on the fuel line 
assembly. This proposal is prompted by four incidents of contact 
between the wire harness and the fuel line assembly. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent contact between 
the wire harness and the fuel line, which could result in chafing of 
the wire harness and a potential fire hazard.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 12, 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-08-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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:

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.

[[Page 43639]]

    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-08-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-08-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
    Discussion: This document proposes the adoption of a new AD 
applicable to Robinson Model R44 helicopters. The AD would require 
inspecting for chafing and installing spiral wrap tubing on the fuel 
line at the wire harness contact point. This proposal is prompted by 
four incidents of contact between the wire harness and the fuel line 
assembly above the fuel shutoff valve. In three of the incidents, the 
wire harness contacted the fuel line just above the fuel valve. In the 
fourth incident, the wire harness contacted the apex of the fuel line 
nut. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
contact between the wire harness and the fuel line assembly, which 
could result in chafing of the wire harness and a potential fire 
hazard.
    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 inspecting the wire harness, 
part number (P/N) C059, for contact with the fuel line assembly, P/N 
C726-2; removing and replacing the fuel line assembly if chafing has 
occurred; and installing spiral wrap tubing, P/N B161-8, on the fuel 
line.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 200 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 0.3 work 
hour per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $0.22 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$3,644.

Regulatory Impact

    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. 99-SW-08-AD.

    Applicability: Model R44 helicopters, serial numbers 0002 
through 0462, 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 (e) 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: Required within 100 hours time-in-service or 90 
calendar days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
first, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent contact between the wire harness and the fuel line 
assembly, which could result in chafing of the wire harness and a 
potential fire hazard, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove the cover, part number (P/N) C474-1, from between the 
rear seatbacks.
    (b) Inspect the wire harness, P/N C059, and the fuel line 
assembly, P/N C726-2, above the fuel shutoff valve for contact. If 
the wire harness contacts the fuel line assembly, inspect for 
chafing.
    (c) If chafing has occurred between the wire harness and the 
fuel line assembly, replace the fuel line with an airworthy fuel 
line assembly. Torque the fuel line nuts to 110-130 in-lbs. Verify 
that clearance exists between the fuel line assembly and the wire 
harness.
    (d) Install a 3-inch section of spiral wrap tubing, P/N B161-8, 
on the fuel line assembly as shown in Figure 1. Push the spiral wrap 
tubing down until it is against the fuel line fitting.

    Note 2: Robinson Helicopter Company Service Bulletin SB-31, 
dated October 28, 1998, pertains to the subject of this AD.

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[[Page 43641]]

    (e) 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.

    (f) 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 August 4, 1999.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20755 Filed 8-10-99; 8:45 am]
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