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

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 226 (Wednesday, November 24, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71532-71534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29203]


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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; 
Amendment 39-16521; AD 2010-24-03]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Robinson Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner helicopters, 
and Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. This AD requires visually 
inspecting each tail rotor (T/R) control pedal bearing block support 
(support) for a crack, measuring the thickness of each support, 
installing support safety tabs on certain supports, and replacing 
supports of a certain thickness during the next 2,200 hour overhaul. 
This amendment 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 this 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: Effective December 29, 2010.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 29, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, 
California 90505, telephone (310) 539-0508, fax (310) 539-5198.
    Examining the Docket: You may examine the docket that contains this 
AD, any comments, and other information on the Internet at http://

[[Page 71533]]

www.regulations.gov or at the Docket Operations office, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, 
DC.

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: We issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered helicopters 
on July 06, 2010. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
July 15, 2010 (75 FR 41104). That action proposed to require 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 for Model R44 and R44 II helicopters, 
S/N 0001 through 1200, that have more than 2,200 hours total TIS, the 
following within 100 hours TIS:
    <bullet> Visually inspecting both A359-1 and A359-2 supports for a 
crack and replacing any cracked support before further flight;
    <bullet> 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.
    We have reviewed Robinson Service Bulletins 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.
    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on the 
determination of the cost to the public. Therefore, we are adopting the 
actions as proposed.
    This AD affects 4,524 helicopters of U.S. registry. It will take 
approximately 0.5 work hour to inspect and measure the supports. We 
estimate that 2,050 helicopters will 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 will cost approximately $20 
per support if replacement is required. Based on these figures, we 
estimate that the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
$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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 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 an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this AD. See the AD docket to examine the 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 AD.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (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 AD:

2010-24-03 Robinson Helicopter Company: Amendment 39-16521; 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,

[[Page 71534]]

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.
    (d) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 6720: 
Tail Rotor Control System.
    (e) The inspection and modification shall be done in accordance 
with the specified portions of Robinson Helicopter Company Service 
Bulletin SB-97 or SB-63, both dated February 22, 2008. The Director 
of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, 
Torrance, California 90505, telephone (310) 539-0508, fax (310) 539-
5198. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 
For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 
202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 29, 2010.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 10, 2010.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-29203 Filed 11-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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