Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 129 (Friday, July 5, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32028-32030]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14205]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0361; Product Identifier 2019-SW-015-AD; Amendment 
39-19673; AD 2019-12-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 II helicopters. This 
AD requires inspecting the engine air induction hose (hose) and 
replacing any hose that is not airworthy. This AD was prompted by 
multiple reports of separation between the outer and inner layers of 
the hoses. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 5, 2019.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by August 19, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505; 
phone 310-539-0508; fax 310-539-5198; or at https://robinsonheli.com/robinson-r44-service-bulletins/. 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.

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-2019-
0361; 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 final rule, 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: Roger Gretler, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 
FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; phone 562- 627-5251; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of separation between the outer and 
inner layers of the hose part number (P/N) A785-31. The FAA's 
investigation shows that, to date, 12 hoses have been inspected and all 
12 out of a suspect population of 100 exhibit this condition. The 
suspect population is traced to a specific manufacturing batch marked 
by code 1Q18. This condition, if not addressed, could result in 
blockage of air flow to the engine, engine stoppage, and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

Record of Ex Parte Communication

    In preparation of AD actions such as notices of proposed rulemaking 
and immediately adopted final rules, it is the practice of the FAA to 
obtain technical information and information on operational and 
economic impacts from design approval holders and aircraft operators. 
The FAA discussed certain aspects of this AD by email and telephone 
with Robinson. A summary of the discussions can be found in the 
rulemaking docket. For information on locating the docket, see 
``Examining the AD Docket.''

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Robinson R44 Service Bulletin SB-97, dated April 
11, 2019 (SB). The SB applies to Robinson Model R44 II helicopters 
serial numbers (S/N) 14248 through 14286, except 14269, and to any 
A785-31 hoses shipped as spares from May through November 2018. The SB 
specifies, within 1 flight hour or prior to further flight if engine 
roughness or power loss is, or has been encountered, visually 
inspecting the hose for separation, flexing the hose to listen for a 
crinkling sound, which is an indication of separation, and replacing 
any hose that shows indication of separation. The SB also specifies 
replacing or discarding all affected hoses by June 30, 2019.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this AD because the FAA evaluated all the 
relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described 
previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same 
type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, for Robinson R44 II helicopters S/N 14248 through 
14268 and 14270 through 14286 or with a hose P/N A785-31 installed 
after April 30, 2018, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspecting 
the inside of the hose for separation between the outer and inner 
layers, and flexing the hose in all directions while listening for a 
crinkling sound, which is an indication of separation. If there is any 
separation or a crinkling sound, this AD requires replacing the hose 
before further flight. If there is no separation and no crinkling 
sound, this AD requires replacing the hose within 50 hours TIS. 
Finally, after the effective date of this AD, installing on any 
helicopter a hose

[[Page 32029]]

P/N A785-31 marked with code 1Q18 is prohibited.

Differences Between the AD and the Service Information

    The SB specifies corrective action within one flight hour or prior 
to further flight if engine roughness or power loss is, or has been, 
encountered. This AD requires corrective action within 10 hours TIS. 
The compliance times specified in this AD differ from the SB because 
the FAA determined 10 hours TIS is a reasonable amount of time to 
comply with the required corrective actions. The SB applies only to 
those serial-numbered helicopters with an affected hose installed, 
whereas this AD also applies to helicopters with a hose that has been 
replaced after April 30, 2018.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment 
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that 
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without seeking comment prior to the 
rulemaking.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because corrective actions must be made within 10 hours TIS. Therefore, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and 
contrary to public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In 
addition, for the reasons stated above, the FAA finds that good cause 
exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective 
in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, the FAA invites you to send any written data, views, 
or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2019-
0361 and Product Identifier 2019-SW-015-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final 
rule. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD may affect up to 88 helicopters of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Inspecting the 
hose takes about 0.5 work-hour and replacing it takes about 0.5 work-
hour. Parts cost are about $134 per hose for an estimated cost of $219 
per helicopter.
    According to Robinson's service information, some of the costs of 
this 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, the FAA has included all costs in 
the 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

    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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2019-12-18 Robinson Helicopter Company: Amendment 39-19673; Docket 
No. FAA-2019-0361; Product Identifier 2019-SW-015-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 5, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 II 
helicopters certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code: 7160, Engine Air Intake System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of separation between the outer 
and inner layers of a hose. This condition, if not addressed, could 
result in blockage of air flow to the engine, engine stoppage, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to prevent the unsafe condition on these helicopters.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For helicopters with an engine air induction hose (hose) 
part number A785-31 installed after April 30, 2018 or helicopter 
serial numbers 14248 through 14268 and 14270 through 14286, within 
10 hours time-in-service (TIS):

[[Page 32030]]

    (i) Inspect the inside of the hose for separation between the 
outer and inner layers, and flex the hose in all directions while 
listening for a crinkling sound, which is an indication of 
separation.
    (ii) If there is any separation or a crinkling sound, replace 
the hose before further flight.
    (iii) If there is no separation and no crinkling sound, replace 
the hose within 50 hours TIS.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
helicopter a hose part number A785-31 marked with code 1Q18.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority 
to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures 
found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 
request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards 
District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to 
the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. Information 
may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Roger Gretler, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 
90712; phone 562-627-5251; email [email protected].
    (2) For information about AMOCs, contact [email protected].
    (3) For copies of the service information referenced in this AD, 
contact: Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, 
CA 90505; phone 310-539-0508; fax 310-539-5198; or at https://robinsonheli.com/robinson-r44-service-bulletins/. You may view this 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 25, 2019.
James A. Grigg,
Acting Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-14205 Filed 7-3-19; 8:45 am]
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