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 Airport Drive, Torrance, California
90505, telephone (310) 539-0508, fax (310) 539-5198.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric D. Schrieber, Aviation Safety Engin-
eer, 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 cer-
tain 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 Pro-
cedures (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 devel-
op 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
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: