Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59613-59614]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28655]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-12-AD; Amendment 39-11397; AD 99-23-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) 
Model R44 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to Robinson Model R44 helicopters, that currently 
requires removing and replacing the pilot's cyclic control grip 
assembly (grip assembly) with an airworthy grip assembly. This 
amendment requires the same actions as the current AD but would change 
a part number (P/N) referenced in the current AD. This amendment is 
prompted by the discovery of an error in the P/N of the current AD. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent use of a grip 
assembly that may crack, resulting in failure of the grip assembly and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 8, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Guerin, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe Branch, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 627-
5232, fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 98-21-36, 
Amendment 39-10845, Docket No. 97-SW-01-AD, (63 FR 55783, October 19, 
1998), which is applicable to Robinson Model R44 helicopters, was 
published in the Federal Register on August 4, 1999 (64 FR 42296). That 
action proposed to require removing the grip assembly, P/N A756-6, 
Revision N or prior revision, and replacing it with an airworthy grip 
assembly other than P/N A765-6, Revision A through N.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 5 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$576 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,080.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

[[Page 59614]]

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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 removing Amendment 39-10845 (63 FR 
55783), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), Amendment 39-
11397, to read as follows:

AD 99-23-01  Robinson Helicopter Company: Amendment 39-11397. Docket 
No. 99-SW-12-AD. Supersedes AD 98-21-36, Amendment 39-10845, Docket 
No. 97-SW-01-AD.

    Applicability: Model R44 helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 0001 
through 0159, except S/N's 0143, 0150, and 0156, with pilot's cyclic 
control grip assembly (grip assembly), part number (P/N) A756-6, 
Revision N or prior revision, installed, certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Within 25 hours time-in-service or 30 calendar days, 
whichever occurs first, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent use of a grip assembly that may crack, resulting in 
failure of the grip assembly and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove the grip assembly, P/N A756-6, Revision A through N, 
and replace it with an airworthy grip assembly other than P/N A756-
6, Revision A through N.

    Note 2: Robinson KI-112 R44 Pilot's Grip Assembly Upgrade Kit 
instructions, dated December 20, 1996, pertain to the subject of 
this AD.

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then 
send it to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on December 8, 1999.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 26, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-28655 Filed 11-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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