[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 135 (Thursday, July 15, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41104-41106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17283]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0711; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-25-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) 
Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner Helicopters, and Model 
R44, and R44 II Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) for Robinson Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner 
helicopters, and Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. The AD would require 
visually inspecting each tail rotor (T/R) control pedal bearing block 
support (support) for a crack, measuring the thickness of each 
uncracked support, installing support safety tabs on certain supports, 
and replacing supports of a certain thickness during overhaul. This 
proposal is prompted by two reports of Model R22 helicopters 
experiencing broken supports during flight, which resulted in the T/R 
control pedals becoming jammed. The actions specified by the proposed 
AD are intended to prevent the supports from breaking, which can bind 
the T/R control pedals, resulting in a reduction of yaw control and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 13, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901

[[Page 41105]]

Airport Drive, Torrance, California 90505, telephone (310) 539-0508, 
fax (310) 539-5198.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric D. Schrieber, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, telephone (562) 627-5348, fax (562) 627-5210, regarding 
Robinson Model R22 helicopters, or Fred Guerin, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, telephone (562) 627-5232, fax (562) 627-5210, regarding 
Robinson Model R44 helicopters, at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, Airframe Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, 
California 90712.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any written data, views, or arguments 
regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to the address listed 
under the caption ADDRESSES. Include the docket number ``FAA-2010-0711, 
Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-25-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact 
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Using the 
search function of our docket Web site, you can find and read the 
comments to any of our dockets, including the name of the individual 
who sent or signed the comment. You may review the DOT's complete 
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19477).

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposed AD, any 
comments, and other information in person at the Docket Operations 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
located in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West Building at the 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

Discussion

    This document proposes adopting a new AD for Robinson Model R22, 
R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 
0002 through 3325, that have more than 2,200 hours total time-in-
service (TIS); and Model R44 and R44 II helicopters, S/N 0001 through 
1200, that have more than 2,200 hours total TIS. The AD would require, 
within 100 hours TIS, visually inspecting both A359-1 and A359-2 
supports for a crack and replacing any cracked or broken support before 
further flight, and if not cracked, measuring the thickness of both 
supports and if less than 0.050-inch thick, installing support safety 
tabs, and at the next 2,200 hour TIS overhaul, replacing any support 
that is less than 0.050-inch thick with a support that is at least 
0.050-inch thick. This proposal is prompted by two reports of Model R22 
helicopters with more than 7,000 hours TIS, with supports made from 
0.040-inch thick sheet metal, experiencing broken supports during 
flight, which led to the T/R control pedals becoming jammed, resulting 
in hard landings and damage to the helicopters. The actions specified 
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the supports from breaking, 
which can bind the T/R control pedals, resulting in a reduction of yaw 
control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    We have reviewed Robinson Helicopter Company Service Bulletin SB-63 
and SB-97, both dated February 22, 2008, which describe procedures for 
inspecting both supports for a crack, and if no crack is found, 
measuring each support and installing safety tabs on supports that are 
less than 0.050-inch thick, and at the next 2,200 hour TIS overhaul, 
replacing certain supports.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type design. The actions would be required to 
be accomplished by following specified portions of the service 
bulletins described previously.
    This proposed AD would affect 4,524 helicopters of U.S. registry, 
and proposed actions would take approximately 0.5 work hour to inspect 
and measure the supports. We estimate that 2,050 helicopters would 
require an additional 1 work hour to install both safety tabs; 6 work 
hours to replace both supports if cracked or broken or before overhaul, 
or 3 work hours to replace both supports as part of a 2,200 hours TIS 
overhaul, at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour. Required parts 
would cost approximately $20 per support if replacement is required. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators would be $1,101,830, assuming 1,538 (approximately 75% 
of the 2,050 helicopters) have both supports replaced during overhaul, 
and 512 helicopters (approximately 25% of the 2,050 helicopters) have 
both supports replaced before the next 2,200 hours TIS overhaul.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. Additionally, this proposed 
AD would not have a substantial direct effect 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a draft economic evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the AD docket to examine the draft 
economic evaluation.

Authority for this Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part

[[Page 41106]]

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. FAA-2010-0711; Directorate 
Identifier 2008-SW-25-AD.
    Applicability: Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner 
helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 0002 through 3325, that have more 
than 2,200 hours total time-in-service (TIS); and Model R44 and R44 
II helicopters, S/N 0001 through 1200, that have more than 2,200 
hours total TIS, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the tail rotor (T/R) control pedal bearing block 
support (support) from breaking, which can bind the T/R control 
pedals, resulting in a reduction of yaw control and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 100 hours TIS, visually inspect each A359-1 (left) 
and A359-2 (right) pedal support for a crack by referring to the 
figure in Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Service Bulletin 
SB-97, dated February 22, 2008 (SB-97) for all Model R22 
helicopters, and Robinson Service Bulletin SB-63, dated February 22, 
2008 (SB-63) for all Model R44 helicopters.
    (1) If you find a crack in a support, before further flight, 
replace the cracked support with an airworthy support that is at 
least 0.050-inch thick.
    (2) For each uncracked support, measure the thickness of the 
support. If the support is less than 0.050-inch thick, before 
further flight, install a safety tab on the support in accordance 
with steps 4 and 5 of the Compliance Procedures section in SB-97 or 
SB-63, as appropriate for your model helicopter.
    (b) At the next 2,200 hours TIS overhaul, replace any support 
that is less than 0.050-inch thick, with an airworthy support that 
is at least 0.050-inch thick.
    (c) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Contact the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
ATTN: Eric D. Schrieber, Aviation Safety Engineer, 3960 Paramount 
Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 627-5348, fax 
(562) 627-5210 (regarding Model R22 helicopters); or ATTN: Fred 
Guerin, Aviation Safety Engineer, telephone (562) 627-5232, fax 
(562) 627-5210 (regarding Model R44 helicopters) for information 
about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 6, 2010.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-17283 Filed 7-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P