DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-1053; Product Identifier 2018-SW-037-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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with
an agricultural spray system installed by Supplemental Type Certificate
(STC) SR00286BO (spray system). This spray system is also known as a
Simplex Manufacturing Company (Simplex) Model 244 spray system. This
proposed AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight failure of the
spray system elbow pump fitting (pump fitting). This proposed AD would
require repetitive inspections of the spray system pump fitting,
corrective action if necessary, replacement of the spray system pump
fitting, and installation of hose supports and a pump outlet cover. The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 31,
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Simplex
Manufacturing Company, 13340 NE Whitaker Way, Portland, OR 97230; phone
503-257-3511; fax 503-257-8556; internet www.simplex.aero. You may view
this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX
76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 817-222-5110.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-1053;
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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Bonar, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3521; email:
Christopher.Bonar@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2019-1053;
Product Identifier 2018-SW-037-AD" at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
NPRM because of those comments.

The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.

Discussion

The FAA proposes to adopt a new AD for Robinson Helicopter Company
Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with an agricultural spray system
installed by STC SR00286BO with spray systems serial-numbered 0045
through 0178 inclusive. STC SR00286BO approves the installation of a
Simplex spray system. This proposed AD would require a repetitive
inspection until the pump fitting is modified.

This proposed AD is prompted by a report of an in-flight failure of
the spray system pump fitting. Following the issuance of a Simplex
service letter, five additional reports of failed fittings were received.
Failure of the pump fitting causes uncontrolled discharge of the spray
liquid exiting the system pump. The pump output port is in direct align-
ment with the engine air intake, allowing the engine to ingest the spray
liquid. This condition, if not addressed, could result in an in-flight
engine shutdown.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed the following service information:

Simplex Mfg Alert Service Bulletin ASB2017-001, Initial
Release, dated March 28, 2017. This service information describes
procedures for inspecting the spray system pump fitting to detect
damage, including signs of stress, cracking, fatigue, and evidence of
leaking.

Simplex Mfg Service Letter SL2017-017, Revision B, dated
March 14, 2018. This service information describes procedures for
replacing the spray system pump fitting with an improved pump fitting
and installing hose supports.

Simplex Mfg Service Letter SL2017-030, Initial Release,
dated March 12, 2018. This service information describes procedures for
installing a pump outlet cover.

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 section.

Other Related Service Information

The FAA reviewed Simplex Mfg, Installation Manual, Simplex
Manufacturing Co. HPR44 III Spray System for the Robinson R44 Series
Helicopter, Installation Manual PM001-HPR44III-25-008, Revision 7,
dated May 2, 2017. This service information specifies unpacking,
installation, and system function test procedures.

The FAA also reviewed Simplex Mfg, Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness (ICA), Simplex Manufacturing Co. HPR44 III Spray System
for the Robinson R44 Series Helicopter, PM011-HPR44III-25-007 ICA,
Revision 9, dated April 20, 2018. This service information specifies
general, airworthiness limitation, inspection and maintenance,
dimension and access, lifting and shoring, leveling and weighing,
towing and taxiing, storing, placard and marking, servicing and
lubricating, standard practice, and equipment and furnishing
information.

FAA's Determination

The FAA is proposing this AD after evaluating all the relevant
information and determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same
type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require, before each flight, visually
inspecting the spray system pump fitting for signs of stress, cracking,
fatigue, and evidence of leaking. If there is any sign of stress,
cracking, fatigue, or evidence of leaking, this proposed AD would
require replacing pump fitting P/N P-58-0752-40 with pump fitting P/N
000[hyphen]123847[hyphen]000, and installing cushion clamp P/N 000-
115571-000, cable tie hose supports, and pump outlet cover P/N 244-
302056-001 before further flight. If there is no sign of stress,
cracking, fatigue, or evidence of leaking, this proposed AD would
require replacing the pump fitting with fitting P/N
000[hyphen]123847[hyphen]000, and installing cushion clamp P/N 000-
115571-000, cable tie hose supports, and pump outlet cover P/N 244-
302056-001 within 3 months. This proposed AD would also require
pressurizing and inspecting the spray system with fitting P/N
000[hyphen]123847[hyphen]000, the cushion clamp, the cable tie hose
supports, and the pump outlet cover installed, and depending on the
outcome of this inspection, replacing the parts and repeating the
inspection again.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

The Simplex Mfg alert service bulletin and service letter service
information identify the spray system as the R44III spray system. The
Simplex Mfg installation manual and ICA service information identify
the spray system as the HPR44 III spray system. However, this proposed
AD identifies this modification as an agricultural spray system
installed by STC SR00286BO and acknowledges the marketing designation
of Simplex Model 244 spray system. The Simplex Mfg alert service
bulletin service information specifies contacting Simplex if there is
evidence of damage. This proposed AD would instead require replacing
the spray system pump fitting, and installing a cushion clamp, cable
tie hose supports, and a pump outlet cover if there is any sign of
stress, cracking, fatigue, or evidence of leaking.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 75 helicopters of
U.S. registry. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this proposed AD.

Inspecting the fitting would take about 0.1 work-hour for an
estimated cost of $9 per helicopter and $675 for the U.S. fleet per
inspection cycle. Replacing the fitting and installing the cushion
clamp and hose supports would take about 1 work-hour with a nominal
parts costs for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $6,375 for
the U.S. fleet. Installing the pump outlet cover would take about 1
work-hour and parts would cost about $300 for an estimated cost of $385
per helicopter and $28,875 for the U.S. fleet.

According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for
affected individuals. As a result, all costs are included in this cost
estimate.

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.

The FAA is 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

The FAA 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 above, I certify this proposed
regulation:

(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive
Order 12866,

(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

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):