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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 16, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63260-63262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing 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 venessa.stiger@faa.gov.

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 venessa.stiger@faa.gov.
    (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
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