84808 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 206 / Thursday, October 24, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

before further flight using a method approved 

by the Manager, International Validation 

Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS’s 

EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). 

If approved by the DOA, the approval must 

include the DOA-authorized signature.’’ 

(3) This AD does not adopt the ‘‘Remarks’’ 

section of EASA AD 2024–0060R1. 

(i) No Reporting Required 

Although EASA AD 2024–0060R1 specifies 

to submit certain information to the 

manufacturer, this AD does not include that 

requirement. 

(j) Additional AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Validation 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 

responsible Flight Standards Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the International Validation 

Branch, mail it to the address identified in 

paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be 

emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. 

Before using any approved AMOC, notify 

your appropriate principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the responsible Flight Standards Office. 

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 

requirement in this AD to obtain instructions 

from a manufacturer, the instructions must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, International Validation 

Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS’s 

EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the 

approval must include the DOA-authorized 

signature. 

(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except 

as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, if 

any material contains procedures or tests that 

are identified as RC, those procedures and 

tests must be done to comply with this AD; 

any procedures or tests that are not identified 

as RC are recommended. Those procedures 

and tests that are not identified as RC may 

be deviated from using accepted methods in 

accordance with the operator’s maintenance 

or inspection program without obtaining 

approval of an AMOC, provided the 

procedures and tests identified as RC can be 

done and the airplane can be put back in an 

airworthy condition. Any substitutions or 

changes to procedures or tests identified as 

RC require approval of an AMOC. 

(k) Additional Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Dat Le, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 

Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516–228– 

7317; email dat.v.le@faa.gov. 

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph 

under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

(2) You must use this material as 

applicable to do the actions required by this 

AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2024–0060R1, dated April 16, 

2024. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For EASA material identified in this 

AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 

50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 

8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; 

website easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

EASA AD on the EASA website 

ad.easa.europa.eu. 

(4) You may view this material at the FAA, 

Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 

Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des 

Moines, WA. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

206–231–3195. 

(5) You may view this material at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, 

visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ 

ibr-locations, or email fr.inspection@

nara.gov. 

Issued on September 13, 2024. 

Peter A. White, 

Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate 

Management Division, Aircraft Certification 

Service. 

[FR Doc. 2024–24466 Filed 10–23–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2024–1886; Project 

Identifier AD–2023–01018–R; Amendment 

39–22862; AD 2024–20–03] 

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 

Robinson Helicopter Company 

(Robinson Helicopter) Model R22 Beta, 

R22 Mariner, R44, and R44 II 

helicopters with a certain governor 

controller installed. This AD was 

prompted by reports of engine governor 

failure, which was a result of water 

intrusion inside of the governor 

controller. This AD requires replacing 

certain governor controllers and 

prohibits installing those governor 

controllers on any helicopter. The FAA 

is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective November 

29, 2024. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of November 29, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No. FAA–2024–1886; 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. 

Material Incorporated by Reference: 

• For Robinson Helicopter material 

identified in this AD, 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 at 

robinsonheli.com. 

• You may view this material 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. It is also available 

at regulations.gov under Docket No. 

FAA–2024–1886. 

Other Related Material: For Robinson 

Helicopter material identified in this 

AD, contact Robinson Helicopter 

Company at its contact information 

under Material Incorporated by 

Reference above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric 

Moreland, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 

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

5364; email: eric.r.moreland@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 Robinson Helicopter Model 

R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44, and R44 II 

helicopters with a governor controller 

part number (P/N) D270–1, Revision A 

through E inclusive, installed. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on July 17, 2024 (89 FR 58084). 

The NPRM was prompted by three 

reports of governor controller failures 

involving Robinson Helicopter Model 

R22 Beta and R44 II helicopters. Prior to 

these governor controller failures, 

several operators notified Robinson 

Helicopter of a malfunction of the 

governor controller. As a result of an 

investigation, it has been determined 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 206 / Thursday, October 24, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 84809 

that the root cause for these 

malfunctions is water intrusion in the 

circuit board of the governor controller. 

In light of this, Robinson Helicopter 

issued service bulletins which specify 

exchanging the existing governor 

controller with a governor which 

provides additional moisture protection. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

require removing any governor 

controller P/N D270–1, Revision A thru 

E inclusive, from service and installing 

a governor controller P/N D270–1, 

Revision F or later approved revision. In 

the NPRM, the FAA also proposed to 

prohibit installing governor controller 

P/N D270–1, Revision A through E 

inclusive, on any helicopter, since the 

affected parts may also be installed on 

Robinson Helicopter Model R22 Mariner 

and R44 helicopters. The unsafe 

condition, if not addressed, could result 

in loss of engine speed governing such 

as an engine overspeed or underspeed 

condition, and subsequent unexpected 

loss of power during critical phases of 

flight and landing. The FAA is issuing 

this AD to address the unsafe condition 

on these products. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

Comments 

The FAA received comments from 

one commenter, Robinson Helicopter, 

who stated that they had no comment. 

Conclusion 

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comment received, and 

determined that air safety requires 

adopting the 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. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

Under 1 CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed Robinson 

Helicopter R22 Service Bulletin SB–121 

and Robinson Helicopter R44 Service 

Bulletin SB–114, each dated June 28, 

2023 (SB–121 and SB–114). This 

material specifies procedures for 

removing governor controller, part 

number D270–1, Revision A thru E, and 

replacing it with governor controller P/ 

N D270–1, Revision F (or subsequent). 

This material is reasonably available 

because the interested parties have 

access to it through their normal course 

of business or by the means identified 

in the ADDRESSES section. 

Other Related Material 

The FAA also reviewed Robinson R22 

and R44 Engine Monitoring Unit (EMU) 

Technician’s PC Software Guide, dated 

Oct 9, 2020. This material provides 

information to program the new EMU ID 

for the governor controller. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

Referenced Material 

The referenced material applies to 

Robinson Helicopter Model R22-series 

and R44-series helicopters with certain 

P/N D270–1 governor controllers 

installed and also identifies which 

serial-numbered helicopters the affected 

parts were factory installed on, whereas 

this AD applies to all Robinson 

Helicopter Model R22 Beta, R22 

Mariner, R44, and R44 II helicopters 

with a certain P/N D270–1 governor 

controller installed. This AD requires 

accomplishing certain actions specified 

in SB–121 or SB–114, as applicable to 

your helicopter model, except the 

procedures in paragraph 4. of SB–121 

and SB–114 must be accomplished by 

persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3., 

instead of ‘‘an appropriately rated 

person.’’ 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 140 helicopters of U.S. registry. 

Labor costs are estimated at $85 per 

work-hour. Based on these numbers, the 

FAA estimates the following costs to 

comply with this AD. 

Replacing the governor controller will 

take 2 work-hours and parts will cost 

$1,800 for an estimated cost of $1,970 

per helicopter and $275,800 for the U.S. 

fleet. 

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: 

2024–20–03 Robinson Helicopter Company: 

Amendment 39–22862; Docket No. 

FAA–2024–1886; Project Identifier AD– 

2023–01018–R. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective November 29, 2024. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Robinson Helicopter 

Company Model R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44, 

and R44 II helicopters, certificated in any 

category, with a governor controller part 

number (P/N) D270–1, Revision A through E 

inclusive, installed. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code: 2700, Flight Control System. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

engine governor failures caused by water 

intrusion. The FAA is issuing this AD to 

prevent engine governor failures. The unsafe 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1
84810 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 206 / Thursday, October 24, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

condition, if not addressed, could result in 

loss of engine speed governing such as an 

engine overspeed or underspeed condition, 

and subsequent unexpected loss of power 

during critical phases of flight and landing. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) Within 90 days after the effective date 

of this AD, remove the governor controller 

from service and install a governor controller 

P/N D270–1, Revision F or later approved 

revision by following the Compliance 

Procedure, paragraphs 2. though 5., of 

Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Service 

Bulletin SB–121 or R44 Service Bulletin SB– 

114, each dated June 28, 2023 (SB–121 or 

SB–114), as applicable to your helicopter 

model, except the procedures in paragraph 4. 

of SB–121 and SB–114 must be accomplished 

by persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3. 

(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do 

not install any governor controller P/N D270– 

1, Revision A through E inclusive, 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) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: AMOC@

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 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Eric Moreland, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 

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

5364; email: eric.r.moreland@faa.gov. 

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

the material listed in this paragraph under 5 

U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

(2) You must use this material as 

applicable to do the actions required by this 

AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Robinson Helicopter Company R22 

Service Bulletin SB–121, dated June 28, 

2023. 

(ii) Robinson Helicopter Company R44 

Service Bulletin SB–114, dated June 28, 

2023. 

(3) For Robinson Helicopter Company 

material identified in this AD, 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 at robinsonheli.com. 

(4) You may view this material 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. 

(5) You may view this material at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, 

visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ 

ibr-locationsoremailfr.inspection@nara.gov. 

Issued on October 3, 2024. 

Steven W. Thompson, 

Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 

Service. 

[FR Doc. 2024–24531 Filed 10–23–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2024–0020; Airspace 

Docket No. 23–AAL–19] 

RIN 2120–AA66 

Revocation of Jet Route J–179 and 

Amendment of United States Area 

Navigation Route Q–10 in the Vicinity 

of Emmonak, AK 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: This action revokes Jet Route 

J–179 in its entirety and amends United 

States Area Navigation Route (RNAV) 

Q–10 in the vicinity of Emmonak, AK. 

The FAA is taking this action due to the 

pending decommissioning of the Aniak, 

AK, Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) 

and the St Marys, AK, NDB. 

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, 

December 26, 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 

available on the website. It is available 

24 hours each day, 365 days each year. 

FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace 

Designations and Reporting Points, and 

subsequent amendments can be viewed 

online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/ 

publications/. You may also contact the 

Rules and Regulations Group, Office of 

Policy, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 600 Independence 

Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; 

telephone: (202) 267–8783. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Steven Roff, Rules and Regulations 

Group, Office of Policy, Federal 

Aviation Administration, 600 

Independence Avenue SW, Washington, 

DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267–8783. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

The FAA’s authority to issue rules 

regarding aviation safety is found in 

Title 49 of the United States Code. 

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. This rulemaking is 

promulgated under the authority 

described in Subtitle VII, Part A, 

Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that 

section, the FAA is charged with 

prescribing regulations to assign the use 

of the airspace necessary to ensure the 

safety of aircraft and the efficient use of 

airspace. This regulation is within the 

scope of that authority as it modifies the 

Air Traffic Service (ATS) route structure 

as necessary to preserve the safe and 

efficient flow of air traffic within the 

National Airspace System. 

History 

The FAA published a NPRM for 

Docket No. FAA 2024–0020 in the 

Federal Register (89 FR 3900; January 

22, 2024), proposing to revoke J–179 

and amend Q–10 in Alaska. Interested 

parties were invited to participate in 

this rulemaking effort by submitting 

written comments on the proposal to the 

FAA. One comment was received and 

was in favor of this action. 

Incorporation by Reference 

Jet Routes are published in paragraph 

2004 and United States Area Navigation 

Routes are published in paragraph 2006 

of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace 

Designations and Reporting Points, 

which is incorporated by reference in 14 

CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This 

document amends the current version of 

that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11J, 

dated July 31, 2024, and effective 

September 15, 2024. FAA Order JO 

7400.11J is publicly available as listed 

in the ADDRESSES section of this 

document. These amendments will be 

published in the next update to FAA 

Order JO 7400.11. 

FAA Order JO 7400.11J lists Class A, 

B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic 

service routes, and reporting points. 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1