Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 and R44 II Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 23, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28830-28832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9687]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26696; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-19-AD; 
Amendment 39-15058; AD 2007-11-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company 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 Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 and R44 II helicopters 
that have a certain seat belt buckle (buckle) assembly installed, that 
requires removing the buckle assembly and the buckle assembly spacer, 
and replacing them with airworthy parts. This amendment is prompted by 
an accident in which a seat belt failed, and also by reports of 
cracking in the buckle assembly stainless support strap (support 
strap). The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
cracking

[[Page 28831]]

in the support strap and failure of a seat belt.

DATES: Effective June 27, 2007.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 27, 2007.

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://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management System (DMS), U.S. Department 
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, on the plaza 
level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Venessa Stiger, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712-4137, telephone (562) 627-
5337, fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for the specified model helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on January 9, 2007 (72 FR 918). That action proposed 
to require, for Robinson Model R44 helicopters, through serial number 
(S/N) 1576, and Model R44 II helicopters, through S/N 11107, that have 
a C628-4, revision M or prior, buckle assembly installed, removing the 
buckle assembly and the A130-52 buckle assembly spacer and replacing 
them with a C628-4, revision N buckle assembly and a new A130-52 buckle 
assembly spacer within 100 hours time-in-service.
    We have reviewed Robinson Service SB-56, dated March 29, 2006, 
which describes procedures for inspecting the buckle assemblies for 
cracks and replacing the buckle assemblies. This AD does not require 
inspecting the buckle assemblies for cracks.
    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 this AD will affect 900 helicopters of U.S. 
registry, and replacing a buckle assembly will take approximately 0.2 
work hour per buckle to accomplish at an average labor rate of $80 per 
work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $105 for each C628-4, 
revision N buckle assembly, and $8.25 for each A130-52 buckle assembly 
spacer. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators to be $517 for each helicopter, or $465,300 
for the entire fleet, assuming that four buckle assemblies and buckle 
assembly spacers are replaced in each helicopter.

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 DMS 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 
rulemaking action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, pursuant to 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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2007-11-01 Robinson Helicopter Company: Amendment 39-15058. Docket 
No. FAA-2006-26696; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-19-AD.

    Applicability: Model R44 helicopters, through serial number (S/
N) 1576, and Model R44 II helicopters, through S/N 11107, with a 
seat belt buckle assembly (buckle assembly) part number C628-4, 
revision M or prior, installed, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required within 100 hours time-in-service, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent cracking in the buckle assembly stainless support 
strap and failure of a seat belt, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove the buckle assembly and any A130-52 buckle assembly 
spacer, and replace them with a C628-4, revision N buckle assembly 
and a new A130-52 buckle assembly spacer, in accordance with the 
Compliance Procedure, paragraph 3, in Robinson Helicopter Company 
Service Bulletin SB-56, dated March 29, 2006. The new A130-52 buckle 
assembly spacers have been redesigned to be slightly longer than the 
previous A130-52 buckle assembly spacers, to reduce friction in the 
joint.

    Note: Inspecting the buckle assembly for cracks is not required 
by this AD.

    (b) Replacing the buckle assembly and buckle assembly spacer 
with a C628-4, Revision N buckle assembly and a new A130-52 buckle 
assembly spacer is a terminating action for the requirements of this 
AD.
    (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: Venessa Stiger, Aviation Safety Engineer, 3960 Paramount 
Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712-4137, telephone (562) 627-5337, 
fax (562) 627-5210, for information about previously approved 
alternative methods of compliance.
    (d) The replacements shall be done in accordance with Robinson 
Helicopter Company Service Bulletin SB-56, dated March 29, 2006. 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

[[Page 28832]]

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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 27, 2007.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 8, 2007.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-9687 Filed 5-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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