Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 80 / Thursday, April 25, 2013 / Proposed Rules 24371 

each of the link segments in the chain for a 

crack. Also, slowly operate the cockpit antitorque control pedals during the inspection 

so that the entire surface area of the chain in 

contact with the control quill sprocket 

(sprocket) is visibly accessible and can be 

inspected. Pay particular attention to the 

portion of the chain that travels over the 

sprocket and extends 6 inches to each side 

of the sprocket. 

(A) If there is no cracked or broken link 

segment, lubricate the chain with a light 

preservative oil (C–125) or wipe with a cloth 

dampened in lubricating oil (C–010). 

(B) If there is a cracked or broken link 

segment, before further flight, replace the 

chain with an airworthy chain. 

(ii) Within 50 hours TIS, install a tail rotor 

cable and chain damper kit, P/N 204–706– 

130–101, as depicted in Figures 1 through 3, 

and by following the Accomplishment 

Instructions, paragraphs 2. through 9., of Bell 

Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 204–79–7, 

dated August 21, 1979. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOC) 

(1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Certification 

Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Send your proposal to Michael Kohner, 

ASW–170, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 

Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 

222–5170, fax (817) 222–5783, email 

mike.kohner @faa.gov. 

(2) For operations conducted under 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 

(1) Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 

204–75–4, dated December 16, 1975, and Bell 

ASB No. 205–78–5, dated May 16, 1978, 

which are not incorporated by reference, 

contain additional information about the 

subject of this AD. For this service 

information, contact Bell Helicopter Textron, 

Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101, 

telephone (817) 280–3391, fax (817) 280– 

6466, or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/ 

files/. 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. 

(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

Transport Canada AD CF–1990–06R1, issued 

January 7, 2008. 

(h) Subject 

The Joint Aircraft System Component 

(JASC) Code is 6720: Tail Rotor Control 

System. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 18, 

2013. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–09764 Filed 4–24–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0380; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–SW–067–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Robinson 

Helicopter Company (Robinson) 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for Model 

R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 

Mariner helicopters with certain fuel 

shut-off valves installed. This proposed 

AD would require replacing the fuel 

shut-off valve with a newer design fuel 

shut-off valve. This proposed AD is 

prompted by three accidents that 

occurred because the fuel shut-off valve 

was inadvertently moved to the ‘‘off’’ 

position. The proposed actions are 

intended to prevent inadvertent closing 

of the fuel valve, which could result in 

engine power loss and subsequent loss 

of control of the helicopter. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by June 24, 2013. 

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 

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 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: 

Danny Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, Los 

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, 

California 90712; telephone (562) 627– 

5247; email danny.nguyen@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 

Three accidents have occurred with 

R22 helicopters because the leverhandle fuel valve was inadvertently 

moved to the ‘‘off’’ position before 


wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
24372 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 80 / Thursday, April 25, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

takeoff. Closing this valve will result in 

loss of power from the engine and 

subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. Robinson has subsequently 

re-designed the fuel valve with a smaller 

actuating handle and the valve spring 

loaded to the ‘‘on’’ position, to prevent 

inadvertent fuel shut-off. 

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 helicopters of 

the same type design. 

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. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require, 

within 3 years, removing the fuel shutoff valve, P/N A670–1 revision A 

through H, and replacing the valve with 

a newly designed fuel shut-off valve. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the Service Information 

SB–105 specifies compliance within 

500 flight-hours or by August 31, 2012. 

The proposed AD would require 

compliance within 3 years. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would 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 will require about 2 

work-hours at an average labor rate of 

$85 per hour, and required parts would 

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. 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson): 

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 shutoff 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, loss of engine power, and subsequent 

loss of control of the helicopter. 

(c) Reserved 

(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 shutoff valve and replace with an airworthy fuel 

shut-off valve that has a P/N other than a P/ 

N listed in the applicability section of 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 

(AMOC) 

(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 

danny.nguyen@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 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 April 18, 

2013. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–09771 Filed 4–24–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


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