[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 1, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60185-60186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23094]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0380; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-067-AD;
Amendment 39-17588; AD 2013-19-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Robinson Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner helicopters
with certain fuel shut-off valves installed. This AD requires replacing
the fuel shut-off valve with a newer design fuel shut-off valve. This
AD is prompted by three accidents that occurred because the fuel shut-
off valve was inadvertently moved to the ``off'' position. These
actions are intended to prevent inadvertent closing of the fuel valve,
which could result in engine power loss from which a safe landing may
not be possible.
DATES: This AD is effective November 5, 2013.
ADDRESSES: 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 the
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137.
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 AD, the economic evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danny Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate,
FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562)
627-5247; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On April 25, 2013, at 78 FR 24371, the Federal Register published
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Robinson Model R22, R22
Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner helicopters, serial number 0002
through 4271, with a fuel shut-off valve part-number (P/N) A670-1
revision A through H installed. The NPRM proposed to require, within 3
years, removing the fuel shut-off valve, P/N A670-1 revision A through
H, and replacing the valve with a newly designed fuel shut-off valve.
Three accidents have occurred with R22 helicopters because the lever-
handle fuel valve was inadvertently moved to the ``off'' position
before takeoff. Closing this valve will result in loss of power from
the engine and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. Robinson
subsequently redesigned the fuel valve with a smaller actuating handle
and with the valve spring loaded to the ``on'' position, to prevent
inadvertent fuel shut-off. The proposed requirements were intended to
prevent inadvertent closing of the fuel valve, which could result in
engine power loss.
Comments
After our NPRM (78 FR 24371, April 25, 2013) was published, we
received comments from one commenter.
Request
Robinson noted that the Summary and Discussion sections of the NPRM
contained language stating that closing of the fuel valve could result
in engine power loss and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Robinson commented that loss of engine power does not result in loss of
control of the helicopter.
We agree, and have redefined the unsafe condition in the SUMMARY
and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Discussion sections of the preamble of
this final rule to state that inadvertent closing of the fuel valve
could result in engine power loss from which a safe landing may not be
possible.
FAA's Determination
We have reviewed the relevant information, considered the comment
received, and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is likely
to exist or develop on other products of these same type designs and
that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD
requirements as proposed with the change described previously. This
change is consistent with the intent of the proposals in the NPRM and
will not increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the
scope of this AD.
Related Service Information
Robinson has issued R22 Service Bulletin SB-105, dated September 7,
2011 (SB-105), which specifies procedures to replace the lever handle
fuel shut-off valve part number (P/N) A670-1 revision A through H with
a fuel shut-off valve P/N A670-1 revision I or later.
Differences Between This AD and the Service Information
SB-105 specifies compliance within 500 flight-hours or by August
31, 2012. This AD requires compliance within 3 years.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 1,282 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in
order to comply with this AD. Replacing the fuel shut-off valve
requires about 2 work-hours at an average labor rate of $85 per hour,
and required parts will cost about $260, for a cost per helicopter of
$430, and a total cost to U.S. operators of $551,260.
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.
[[Page 60186]]
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;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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.
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):
2013-19-06 Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson): Amendment 39-
17588; Docket No. FAA-2013-0380; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-067-
AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22
Mariner helicopters, serial number 0002 through 4271, with a fuel
shut-off valve part-number (P/N) A670-1 revision A through H
installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as inadvertent closing of
the fuel shut-off valve, which could result in loss of fuel to the
engine and loss of engine power from which a safe landing may not be
possible.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective November 5, 2013.
(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 Actions
(1) Within 3 years, remove the fuel shut-off valve and replace
with an airworthy fuel shut-off valve that has a P/N other than a P/
N listed in paragraph (a) this AD.
(2) Do not install a fuel shut-off valve, P/N A670-1 revision A
through H, on any helicopter.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Danny Nguyen,
Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood,
California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5247; 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 R22 Service Bulletin SB-105, 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: 2823: Fuel
Selector/Shut-Off Valve.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 13, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-23094 Filed 9-30-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P