Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 27, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 14377 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2023–2232; Project 

Identifier AD–2023–00943–R; Amendment 

39–22681; AD 2024–04–02] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Robinson 

Helicopter Company Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Robinson Helicopter Company Model 

R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, 

R44, R44 II, and R66 helicopters. This 

AD was prompted by reports of 

helicopters losing a tail rotor blade 

(TRB) tip cap. This AD requires visually 

checking and inspecting certain partnumbered and serial-numbered TRB tip 

caps for evidence of corrosion and, 

depending on the results, removing the 

corrosion. This AD also requires 

removing all affected TRBs from service 

and prohibits installing them on any 

helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD 

to address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: This AD is effective April 2, 

2024. 

ADDRESSES: 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No. FAA–2023–2232; or in person at 

Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 

5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. The AD docket 

contains this final rule, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

address for Docket Operations is U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 

20590. 

Related Service Information: 

• For service information identified

in this final rule, contact Robinson 

Helicopter Company, Technical Support 

Department, 2901 Airport Drive, 

Torrance, CA 90505; phone (310) 539– 

0508; fax (310) 539–5198; email ts1@

robinsonheli.com; or website 

robinsonheli.com. 

• You may view this service

information at the FAA, Office of the 

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 

10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N– 

321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call (817) 222– 

5110. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

James Guo, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 

Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (562) 627– 

5357; email: james.guo@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to certain Robinson Helicopter 

Company Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 

Beta, R22 Mariner, R44, R44 II, and R66 

helicopters. The NPRM published in the 

Federal Register on December 6, 2023 

(88 FR 84761). The NPRM was 

prompted by three reports of TRB tip 

caps coming loose due to corrosion at 

the bond on Robinson Helicopter 

Company Model R44 helicopters. Due to 

the similarity of the TRB tip caps on 

Robinson Helicopter Company Model 

R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, 

R44 II, and R66 helicopters, those model 

helicopters are also affected by this 

issue. According to Robinson Helicopter 

Company, it has also seen TRBs that 

have corroded to an unserviceable 

condition, including severe leading edge 

pitting and degradation of the bond at 

the tip cap. Robinson Helicopter 

Company advises that helicopters 

operating near saltwater are particularly 

susceptible to corrosion, especially if 

stored outdoors. Affected TRBs were 

factory-installed or shipped as spares 

prior to November 2022. The three 

reports include a TRB tip cap departing 

its helicopter. The separate incidents 

occurred during a run-up check, after 

landing, and during a landing on 

different helicopters. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

require repetitively checking and 

inspecting the tips caps of TRB part 

number (P/N) A029–2 with TRB serial 

numbers (S/N) up to 11279 inclusive (P/ 

N A029–2 REV A through U inclusive), 

TRB P/N C029–3 with TRB S/N up to 

14329 inclusive (P/N C029–3 REV A 

through Q inclusive), and TRB P/N 

F029–1 with TRB S/N up to 3099 

inclusive (P/N F029–1 REV A through F 

inclusive) for evidence of corrosion, 

removing corrosion, and eventual 

removal of those TRBs from service. The 

owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a 

private pilot certificate may accomplish 

the check of the TRB tip caps and must 

enter compliance with the applicable 

paragraph of this AD into the helicopter 

maintenance records in accordance with 

14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The 

pilot may perform this action because it 

only involves visually checking the TRB 

tip caps for an exposed tip cap bond 

line or bubbled paint. This action could 

be performed equally well by a pilot or 

a mechanic. This is an exception to the 

FAA’s standard maintenance 

regulations. 

A debonded TRB tip cap can cause 

severe vibration and possible failure of 

the tail rotor gearbox housing. This 

condition, if not addressed, could result 

in increased vibrations, reduced 

controllability, and subsequent loss of 

control of the helicopter. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

Comments 

The FAA received no comments on 

the NPRM or on the determination of 

the costs. 

Conclusion 

The FAA reviewed the relevant data 

and determined that air safety requires 

adopting this AD as proposed. 

Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD 

to address the unsafe condition on these 

products. Except for minor editorial 

changes, this AD is adopted as proposed 

in the NPRM. 

Related Service Information 

The FAA reviewed Robinson 

Helicopter Company R22 Service 

Bulletin SB–120, R44 Service Bulletin 

SB–112, and R66 Service Bulletin SB– 

41, each dated December 22, 2022 (SB– 

120, SB–112, and SB–41). This service 

information specifies procedures for 

revising the Pilot’s Operating Handbook 

of affected helicopters by inserting the 

included ‘‘Special Tail Rotor Tip 

Preflight Inspection’’ page and briefing 

all pilots and maintenance personnel 

regarding those inspection procedures. 

This service information also specifies 

procedures for replacing, and returning 

or sending photos of affected TRBs to 

Robinson Helicopter Company. 

The FAA also reviewed Robinson 

Helicopter Company R22 Service Letter 

SL–93, R44 Service Letter SL–82, and 

R66 Service Letter SL–40, each dated 

June 30, 2021 (co-published as one 

document) (SL–93, SL–82, and SL–40). 

This service information specifies 

procedures for removing corrosion from 

TRBs, applying protectant, balancing 

TRBs after corrosion removal or 

painting, chemical cleaning TRBs, and 

tap testing the TRB tip cap area. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

Service Information 

The effectivity of Robinson Helicopter 

Company SB–120, SB–112, and SB–41 

identify the helicopter S/Ns that the 

affected TRBs were factory-installed on 

and the shipping dates of affected TRB 


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14378 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 27, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

spares, whereas this AD applies to the 

specified model helicopters with certain 

part-numbered and serial-numbered 

TRBs installed. Robinson Helicopter 

Company SB–120, SB–112, and SB–41 

specify revising the Pilot’s Operating 

Handbook of affected helicopters and 

briefing all pilots and maintenance 

personnel regarding the inspection 

requirements, whereas this AD does not 

require those actions. Robinson 

Helicopter Company SB–120, SB–112, 

and SB–41 do not specify any visual 

inspections accomplished by a 

mechanic, whereas this AD requires 

repetitive visual inspections of the TRBs 

by persons authorized under 14 CFR 

43.3. Robinson Helicopter Company 

SB–120, SB–112, and SB–41 specify 

replacing, and returning or sending 

photos of affected TRBs by December 

31, 2024, whereas this AD requires 

removing affected TRBs from service 

within 10 months. 

SL–93, SL–82, and SL–40 specify 

procedures for chemical cleaning TRBs, 

tap testing the TRB tip care area, 

applying protectant, and balancing 

TRBs after corrosion removal or 

painting, whereas this AD does not 

require those actions. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 2,701 helicopters of U.S. registry. 

The FAA estimates the following costs 

to comply with this AD. Labor costs are 

estimated at $85 per work-hour. 

Visually checking or inspecting the 

TRBs (up to two affected TRBs per 

helicopter) will take approximately 0.25 

work-hour for an estimated cost of up to 

$22 per helicopter per cycle, for a U.S 

fleet cost of up to $59,422 per cycle. If 

required, removing any corrosion will 

take approximately 2 work-hours and 

the parts will cost approximately $100 

for an estimated cost of $270 per TRB. 

Replacing a TRB will take 

approximately 3.5 work-hours and the 

parts will cost up to approximately 

$3,600 for an estimated cost of up to 

$3,898 per TRB. 

The FAA has included all known 

costs in its cost estimate. According to 

the manufacturer, however, some of the 

costs of this AD may be covered under 

warranty, thereby reducing the cost 

impact on affected operators. 

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. 

The FAA is 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 

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) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska, 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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

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 

■ 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: 

2024–04–02 Robinson Helicopter Company: 

Amendment 39–22681; Docket No. 

FAA–2023–2232; Project Identifier AD– 

2023–00943–R. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective April 2, 2024. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to the Robinson 

Helicopter Company helicopters, certificated 

in any category, identified in paragraphs 

(c)(1) through (3) of this AD. 

(1) Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and 

R22 Mariner helicopters with tail rotor blade 

(TRB) part number (P/N) A029–2 with TRB 

serial numbers (S/N) up to 11279 inclusive 

(P/N A029–2 REV A through U inclusive), 

installed; 

(2) Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with 

TRB P/N C029–3 with TRB S/N up to 14329 

inclusive (P/N C029–3 REV A through Q 

inclusive), installed; and 

(3) Model R66 helicopters with TRB P/N 

F029–1 with TRB S/N up to 3099 inclusive 

(P/N F029–1 REV A through F inclusive), 

installed. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code 6410, Tail Rotor Blades. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

helicopters losing a TRB tip cap. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to detect and prevent TRB tip 

cap failures. The unsafe condition, if not 

addressed, could result in increased 

vibrations, reduced controllability, and 

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) 

after the effective date of this AD and 

thereafter before the first flight of each day, 

visually check each TRB tip cap area (at and 

adjacent to the tip cap bond line on each 

surface and edge of the TRB) for an exposed 

tip cap bond line or bubbled paint, as 

depicted in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of 

this AD. These items may indicate evidence 

of corrosion. The owner/operator (pilot) 

holding at least a private pilot certificate may 

accomplish this TRB tip cap check and must 

enter compliance with this paragraph of the 

AD into the helicopter maintenance records 

in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 

91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be 

maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 

121.380, or 135.439. 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 27, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 14379 

Figure 1 to Paragraph (g)(1)—TRB Tip Cap 

Check/Inspection 

(2) Within 100 hours TIS or during the next

100 hour or annual inspection after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 

first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 

100 hours TIS or during the next 100 hour 

or annual inspection, whichever occurs first, 

visually inspect each TRB tip cap area (at and 

adjacent to the tip cap bond line on each 

surface and edge of the TRB) for evidence of 

corrosion, which may be indicated by an 

exposed tip cap bond line or bubbled paint, 

as depicted in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of 

this AD. 

(3) As a result of the actions required by

either paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, if 

there is evidence of corrosion, an exposed tip 

cap bond line, or bubbled paint, before 

further flight, remove all of the corrosion. 

Note 1 to paragraph (g)(3): Robinson 

Helicopter Company R22 Service Letter SL– 

93, R44 Service Letter SL–82, and R66 

Service Letter SL–40, each dated June 30, 

2021 (co-published as one document), 

provide information regarding removing 

corrosion from TRBs. 

(4) Within 10 months of the effective date

of this AD, remove all TRBs identified in 

paragraph (c) of this AD from service. 

(5) As of 10 months after the effective date

of this AD, do not install a TRB identified in 

paragraph (c) of this AD on any helicopter. 

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance

(AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, West Certification

Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 

AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 

procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In 

accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the West Certification 

Branch, send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMLAACO-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC,

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. 

(i) Additional Information

(1) For more information about this AD,

contact James Guo, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 

CA 90712; phone: (562) 627–5357; email: 

james.guo@faa.gov. 

(2) For service information identified in

this AD that is not incorporated by reference, 

contact Robinson Helicopter Company, 

Technical Support Department, 2901 Airport 

Drive, Torrance, CA 90505; phone (310) 539– 

0508; fax (310) 539–5198; email ts1@

robinsonheli.com; or website 

robinsonheli.com. You may view this service 

information at the FAA, Office of the 

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 

Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N–321, Fort 

Worth, TX 76177. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

(817) 222–5110.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

None.

Issued on February 13, 2024.

Victor Wicklund, 

Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2024–03920 Filed 2–26–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2019–0900; Airspace 

Docket No. 19–AWP–80] 

RIN 2120–AA66 

Establishment of Multiple Air Traffic 

Service (ATS) Routes; Hawaiian 

Islands 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: This action establishes United 

States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes 

T–340, T–342, T–344, and T–346 in the 

Hawaiian Islands. These RNAV routes 

facilitate the movement of aircraft 

among the Hawaiian Islands and 

increase operational efficiencies to 

RNAV Standard Instrument Departures 

(SID) and RNAV Standard Terminal 

Arrival Routes (STAR), which enhances 

the air traffic capacity of the Hawaiian 

airports. 

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 16, 

2024. The Director of the Federal 

Register approves this incorporation by 

reference action under 1 CFR part 51, 

subject to the annual revision of FAA 

Order JO 7400.11 and publication of 

conforming amendments. 

ADDRESSES: A copy of the Notice of 

Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), all 

comments received, this final rule, and 

all background material may be viewed 

online at www.regulations.gov using the 

FAA Docket number. Electronic 

retrieval help and guidelines are 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1ER27FE24.000</GPH>

&:ample: Erosion. 

exposed bond line 

Example: Bubbled 

paint tindicatas 

underlying corrosion) 

Tip Cil.!IP bond line 

Tip cap bond 

line 0.30 inches 

from tip