DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-1236; Product Identifier 2017-SW-136-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for
certain Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson Helicopter) Model R66
helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting the oil tank
outlet's fitting color. If the fitting is blue, this proposed AD would
require replacing the tank with an oil tank that lacks a blue fitting.
This proposed AD also would require determining the revision letter on
the ink stamp, and installing an oil tank angle based on that
determination. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of broken oil
tank internal baffles. 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 November
20, 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 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-
1236; 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 and Airworthiness Division, FAA, 3960
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5247;
email danny.nguyen@faa.gov.
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 Helicopters Model R66
helicopters with serial numbers 0003 through 0789, 0791, 0794, and
0796. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of broken oil tank
internal baffles caused by vibration. A broken baffle inside the oil
tank could block the oil return port, causing loss of oil pressure and
oil flow to the engine. This situation could result in engine failure.
This proposed AD consequently would require installing an angle to
the oil tank outlet or replacing the oil tank, depending on the oil
tank's outlet fitting color or the revision level of the ink stamp on
the tank's top surface.
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 Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Robinson Helicopter Company R66 Service Bulletin SB-
21A, Revision A, dated June 6, 2017, which specifies installing an
angle in the tank outlet to prevent a failed baffle from blocking the
outlet.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require, within 100 hours time-in-service
(TIS), visually inspecting the oil tank outlet fitting color to
determine if it is blue. If the fitting is blue, before further flight,
replace the tank with an oil tank that does not have a blue fitting
would be required. The proposed AD would then require locating the
G689-1 oil tank assembly identification ink stamp on
the top surface of the oil tank, and determining the revision letter.
If the identification ink stamp is followed by a revision letter F, G,
H, or I, the proposed AD would require installing a G805-1 angle. If
the identification ink stamp is followed by a revision letter J, you
would be required to determine if there is a yellow dot near the ink
stamp. A yellow dot indicates that the angle has been pre-installed and
that no further action would be required by this proposed AD. If there
is not a yellow dot near the ink stamp, installing a G805-1 angle would
be required. If the identification ink stamp is followed by a revision
letter K, no further action would be required by this proposed AD.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
Robinson Helicopters service information specifies performing the
corrective actions within the next 100 hours TIS or by July 31, 2017,
whichever comes first. This proposed AD would require the actions
within 100 hours TIS.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 265 helicopters of
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. Based on
these estimates, we expect the following costs:
The cost for identifying the oil tank assembly identification ink stamp
and
outlet fitting color would be minimal.
Inserting a G805-1 angle would require 1 work-hour for a
labor cost of $85. Parts would cost $17 for a total cost of $102 per
helicopter.
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
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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
|