[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13706-13708]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06449]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0682; Product Identifier 2017-SW-028-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R66 helicopters. This 
proposed AD would require replacing the tail rotor drive shaft yoke 
assembly and inspecting for sealant. This proposed AD is prompted by 
reports of tail rotor driveshaft failures. The actions of this proposed 
AD are intended to correct an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 29, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building

[[Page 13707]]

Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 
20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0682; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this proposed AD, the economic evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for Docket Operations (telephone 
800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this proposed rule, contact 
Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505; 
telephone (310) 539-0508; fax (310) 539-5198; or at http://www.robinsonheli.com/servelib.htm. You may review the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 
76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danny Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 3960 
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5247; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed 
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    We propose to adopt a new AD for Robinson Model R66 helicopters, 
serial numbers 0003 through 0752, with a tail rotor drive shaft 
assembly part number (P/N) D224-3 or D224-4 installed. This proposed AD 
would require, within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), replacing the 
forward yoke assembly of the tail rotor drive shaft unless already 
accomplished, visually inspecting for sealant, and applying sealant if 
needed to prevent seal rotation.
    This proposed AD is prompted by two incidents of bearing failure 
that stem from a bearing assembly that included a bearing that was 
undersized for its housing. Consequently, the bearing was spinning at a 
speed that caused excessive heating of the bearing operation and led to 
the breakdown of the bearing's grease and ultimately seizure of the 
C647-16 bearing.
    To correct this condition, Robinson initially specified installing 
a temperature recorder on the tail rotor driveshaft bearing assembly 
(bearing assembly) and inspecting the temperature recorder during 
preflight checks and during each 100-hour inspection. If the bearing 
was found running hot, then Robinson advised upgrading the bearing to a 
newer design.
    Robinson later specified through R66 Service Bulletin SB-20, dated 
November 7, 2016, modifying the forward D224-3 and D224-4 tail rotor 
drive shaft assemblies by using a kit that has an improved, larger 
bearing that spins with less friction. The bulletin also specified 
inspecting whether 0.5 inch of sealant was on the junction of the black 
seal and bearing outer race and installing sealant if there was less 
than 0.5 inch of sealant. Robinson clarified R66 Service Bulletin SB-20 
with R66 Service Bulletin SB-20A, dated June 6, 2017, that helicopters 
equipped with D224-4 tail rotor drive shaft assemblies and certain 
modified D224-3 assemblies do not require being upgraded with the kit.
    The actions specified by this AD are intended prevent failure of 
the tail rotor driveshaft forward bearing and subsequent loss of 
helicopter control.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant 
information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Robinson R66 Service Bulletin SB-14, dated June 25, 
2015, which specifies installing a temperature recorder on the bearing 
assembly and inspecting the temperature during preflight checks and 
during each 100-hour inspection. If the temperature of the bearing is 
found running hot, then Robinson advises upgrading the bearing to a 
newer design (kit P/N KI-235). This service information also specifies 
adding a caution page to the Pilot Operating Handbook regarding the 
overheating bearing assemblies.
    We also reviewed Robinson R66 Service Bulletin SB-20, dated 
November 7, 2016, and Robinson R66 Service Bulletin SB-20A, dated June 
6, 2017, which specify upgrading the bearing assembly to the newer 
design with kit P/N KI-235 if not previously done. The service 
information also contains procedures for inspecting for sealant and 
applying sealant to the damper and hanger bearings if needed to prevent 
seal rotation.
    Lastly, we reviewed Robinson KI-235 R66 TRDS Forward Yoke Assembly 
and Hanger Installation Kit Instructions, Revision A, dated June 23, 
2015. This information provides instructions for installing the newly 
designed forward yoke assembly, P/N D224-5, on the tail rotor drive 
shaft.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 100 hours TIS, replacing the 
tail rotor drive shaft forward yoke assembly, inspecting the damper and 
hanger bearings for sealant, and applying sealant if needed.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The service information specifies replacing the forward yoke 
assembly and applying the sealant to the bearing seals within the next 
100 flight hours or by January 31, 2017, whichever comes first. This 
proposed AD would not have a calendar time compliance requirement.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 249 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these estimates, we expect the following costs:

[[Page 13708]]

     Replacing the yoke assembly would require 6 work-hours and 
$798 for parts, for a cost of $1,308 per helicopter.
     Inspecting for and applying sealant would require 1 work-
hour and $30 for parts, for a cost of $115 per helicopter.
    Based on these costs, we expect a total cost of $1,423 per 
helicopter and $354,327 for the U.S. operator fleet.

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.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. 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, I certify 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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    4. 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 an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Robinson Helicopter Company: Docket No. FAA-2017-0682; Directorate 
Identifier 2017-SW-028-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model 
R66 helicopters, serial numbers 0003 through 0752, with a tail rotor 
drive shaft assembly part number (P/N) D224-3 or D224-4 tail rotor 
drive shaft assembly installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a tail rotor 
driveshaft forward bearing. This condition could result in failure 
of the tail rotor driveshaft and subsequent loss of helicopter 
control.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 29, 2018.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(e) Required Actions

    Within 100 hours TIS:
    (1) Replace the tail rotor drive shaft forward yoke assembly 
with a yoke assembly part number D224-5, if not previously done.
    (2) Remove the forward inspection plug assembly from the 
tailcone and either remove the B322-2 cover from the top of the 
third tailcone bay or, if an antenna is installed, remove the 
antenna and pull the circuit breaker.
    (3) Visually inspect the forward and aft sides of the hanger 
bearing and damper bearing for sealant along the junction of the 
seal and bearing outer race. If the sealant is less than 0.5 inch in 
length, clean the area and apply a minimum 0.5 inch long bead of 
polysulfide fuel-resistant sealant at the junction of the seal and 
bearing outer race.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Danny Nguyen, Aerospace 
Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; 
telephone (562) 627-5247; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    For service information identified in this AD, contact Robinson 
Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505; 
telephone (310) 539-0508; fax (310) 539-5198; or at http://www.robinsonheli.com/servelib.htm. You may review a copy of 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6510, Tail Rotor 
Drive Shaft.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 23, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-06449 Filed 3-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P