[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 16, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63260-63262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25428]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1088; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-005-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: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 and R44 II helicopters
equipped with emergency floats, which would require replacing the
inflation valve assembly. The proposed AD is prompted by failure of the
emergency floats to deploy during a factory test because a needle was
binding within the inflation valve assembly. The proposed actions are
intended to prevent the failure of the floats to inflate during an
emergency landing.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 17,
2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket
Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the
economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Robinson
[[Page 63261]]
Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505; telephone
(310) 539-0508; fax (310) 539-5198; or at http://www.robinsonheli.com.
You may review a copy of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,
Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Venessa Stiger, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety/Mechanical & Environmental Systems, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5337;
email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay.
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.
Discussion
We propose to adopt a new AD for Robinson Model R44 and Model R44
II helicopters equipped with emergency floats. The AD proposes
replacing the inflation valve assembly. The needle that releases helium
from a cylinder was binding within the float inflation valve assembly.
These helicopters often transport people and goods over water.
Consequently, this unsafe condition presents risks to a crew and its
passengers should the helicopter need to land in water during an
emergency.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant
information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is
likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type
designs.
Related Service Information
We have reviewed Robinson R44 Service Bulletin SB-80, dated
September 7, 2011 (SB), which describes procedures for upgrading
certain valve assemblies within the next 250 flight hours or by June
30, 2012, whichever occurs first. The SB reports that during a factory
test of pop-out emergency floats the floats failed to inflate because
of a stuck cylinder valve.
Proposed AD Requirements
This AD would require, within 1 year or 500 hours time-in-service
(TIS), whichever occurs first, replacing the inflation valve assembly.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
This proposed AD would require replacing the inflation valve
assembly within 1 year or 500 hours TIS, whichever occurs first. The SB
specifies replacing the assembly within 250 flight hours or by June 30,
2012, whichever occurs first. We used the Monitor Safety/Analyze Data
(MSAD) process and were able to predict when the next occurrence would
likely occur if no repairs were completed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 165 helicopters of
U.S. Registry and that the labor cost would average $85 per work-hour.
Based on these assumptions, we estimate that replacing the inflation
valve assembly would take 2.5 work-hours for a labor cost of about
$213. Parts would cost $850 to $955 for a total cost per helicopter of
$1,063 to $1,168.
According to Robinson's service information, some or all of the
costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby
reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control
warranty coverage. Accordingly, we have included all costs in our 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.
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.
Regulatory Findings
We 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, I certify this proposed 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);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
4. 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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):
[[Page 63262]]
Robinson Helicopter Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-1088; Directorate
Identifier 2012-SW-005-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model
R44 and R44 II helicopters with emergency floats equipped with an
inflation valve assembly, part number (P/N) D757-1, not engraved
with ``D758-4'' or modified with modification B900-8, and containing
a housing assembly, P/N D758-1, Revision C or prior, certificated in
any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as binding of the needle
within the float inflation valve assembly, which has resulted in the
emergency floats failing to inflate.
(c) Comments Due Date
Comments are due December 17, 2012.
(d) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each action required by this
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been
accomplished prior to that time.
(e) Required Action
Within 1 year or 500 hours time-in-service (TIS), whichever
occurs first, replace the inflation valve assembly with an airworthy
inflation valve assembly, P/N D757-1R.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)
(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Venessa
Stiger, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety/Mechanical & Environmental
Systems, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-
4137; telephone (562) 627-5337; email [email protected].
(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the local flight standards district office or
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft
complying with this AD through an AMOC.
(g) Additional Information
Robinson R44 Service Bulletin SB-80, dated September 7, 2011,
which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional
information about the subject of this AD. For service information
identified in this AD, contact Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901
Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505; telephone (310) 539-0508; fax
(310) 539-5198; or at http://www.robinsonheli.com/servelib.htm. You
may review a copy of information at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3212, Emergency
Flotation Section.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 2, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-25428 Filed 10-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P