This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by

the Superintendent of Documents.

Rules and Regulations Federal Register

95717 

Vol. 89, No. 232 

Tuesday, December 3, 2024 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2024–1477; Project 

Identifier AD–2023–01015–R; Amendment 

39–22880; AD 2024–23–01] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Robinson 

Helicopter Company 

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 

R44 and R44 II helicopters. This AD was 

prompted by several reports of failed 

clutch actuators and failed rivets 

attaching the belt tension clutch 

actuator brackets (bracket) to the fan 

scroll housing. This AD requires 

inspecting each bracket and, depending 

on the results, accomplishing additional 

inspections or taking any necessary 

corrective actions. The FAA is issuing 

this AD to address the unsafe condition 

on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective January 7, 

2025. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of January 7, 2025. 

ADDRESSES: 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No. FAA–2024–1477; 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 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. 

• 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–2024–1477. 

Other Related Material: For other 

related Robinson Helicopter Company 

material identified in this AD, use the 

Robinson Helicopter Company contact 

information under Material 

Incorporated by Reference above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Charles Ayala, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 

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

5226; email: Charles.L.Ayala@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 serial-numbered 

Robinson Helicopter Company Model 

R44 and Model R44 II helicopters. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on June 27, 2024 (89 FR 53534). 

The NPRM was prompted by five 

reports of failed clutch actuators and 

failed rivets attaching the clutch 

actuator bracket, part number A185–1, 

A185–2, and A185–5 (bracket), to the 

fan scroll housing on Robinson 

Helicopter Company Model R44 II 

helicopters. According to Robinson 

Helicopter Company, in all of these 

occurrences, the bracket separated from 

the fan scroll housing. In four of the 

reports, this separation of the bracket 

caused a failure of the belt tension 

actuator. Further investigation revealed 

the failure of the rivets attaching the 

bracket to the fan scroll housing was 

caused by excessive vibration of the fan 

scroll housing due to the design of the 

fan scroll housing, including the 

quantity and size of the rivets. Because 

of design similarity, Robinson 

Helicopter Company Model R44 

helicopters are also affected by this 

unsafe condition. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

require, with the fanwheel removed, 

inspecting each bracket for looseness 

and fretting. Depending on the results of 

the inspection in the NPRM, the FAA 

proposed to require additional actions 

such as inspecting the fiberglass and 

rivet holes of the fan scroll housing for 

delamination, inspecting the quantity 

and size of the fan scroll housing rivets, 

replacing the fan scroll housing, 

replacing brackets and rivets, and 

applying a horizontal torque stripe to 

each rivet. The FAA is issuing this AD 

to address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

Comments 

The FAA received a comment from 

one commenter, Robinson Helicopter 

Company. The following presents the 

comment received on the NPRM and the 

FAA’s response to the comment. 

Request To Change the Applicability 

Robinson Helicopter Company 

requested the FAA revise the 

applicability paragraph to identify only 

riveted A185–1, A185–2, and A185–5 

brackets. Robinson Helicopter Company 

stated that some helicopters within the 

applicable serial number ranges have 

been retrofitted with the latest design 

installation that utilizes screws as the 

method of attachment to the fan scroll 

housing instead of rivets and are not 

subject to this AD. 

The FAA agrees and has revised the 

applicability paragraph of this AD to 

clarify that only certain riveted brackets 

are applicable. The FAA also added a 

note to the applicability paragraph of 

this AD to further clarify that brackets 

installed to the fan scroll housing with 

screws are not applicable to this AD. 

Conclusion 

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comment received, 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 and other changes described 

previously, this AD is adopted as 

proposed in the NPRM. None of the 


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95718 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 232 / Tuesday, December 3, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

changes will increase the economic 

burden on any operator. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

Under 1 CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed Robinson 

Helicopter Company R22 Service Letter 

SL–74B (SL–74B), and R44 Service 

Letter SL–61B (SL–61B), each Revision 

B and dated March 16, 2023 (copublished as one document). This 

material specifies procedures for 

inspecting the A185 brackets for 

looseness and ensuring that a total of 12 

rivets attach the A185 brackets to the 

fan scroll housing, and corrective 

actions as necessary including repairing 

rivet holes; replacing the scroll; 

replacing any 1⁄8-inch rivets with 5⁄32- 

inch rivets; enlarging rivet holes; and 

applying a torque seal. SL–61B is 

incorporated by reference in this AD. 

SL–74B is not incorporated by reference 

in this AD because this AD does not 

apply to Robinson Helicopter Company 

Model R22 helicopters. 

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 reviewed Robinson 

Helicopter Company R44 Service 

Bulletin SB–113, dated March 16, 2023 

(SB–113). This material specifies 

procedures for inspecting the A185 

brackets to ensure the brackets are 

attached to the fan scroll housing with 

5⁄32-inch rivets. This material also 

specifies repairing the scroll if there are 

less than 12 rivets, if 5⁄32-inch rivets are 

not installed, if the brackets are loose, 

or if there is any fretting. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

Referenced Material 

This AD requires inspecting the 

brackets for fretting, and the fiberglass 

and rivet holes for delamination, 

whereas SL–61B does not contain those 

actions. SL–61B specifies procedures for 

repairing the fan scroll housing rivet 

holes, whereas this AD requires making 

that repair in accordance with FAAapproved procedures. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 1,686 of U.S. registry. Labor rates 

are estimated at $85 per work-hour. 

Based on these numbers, the FAA 

estimates the following costs to comply 

with this AD. 

Inspecting the brackets (three brackets 

per helicopter) for looseness and fretting 

will take 0.25 work-hour, for an 

estimated cost of $21 per helicopter and 

$35,406 for the U.S. fleet. 

If required, inspecting the fiberglass 

for delamination will take 0.25 workhour, for an estimated cost of $21 per 

helicopter. 

If required, replacing the fan scroll 

housing will take 5 work-hours and 

parts will cost $3,720, for an estimated 

cost of $4,145 per helicopter. 

If required, inspecting all brackets, 

each inner plate, and each fan scroll 

housing rivet hole will take 1 workhour, for an estimated cost of $85 per 

helicopter. 

If required, replacing a bracket or 

inner plate will take 1 work-hour and 

parts will cost $175, for an estimated 

cost of $260 per part replacement. 

If required, repairing each rivet hole 

(per bracket) will take 1.5 work-hours 

for an estimated cost of $128 per 

bracket. 

Replacing a rivet (if required) and 

applying a torque stripe to each rivet 

will each take a minimal amount of time 

with a nominal parts cost. 

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: 

2024–23–01 Robinson Helicopter Company: 

Amendment 39–22880; Docket No. 

FAA–2024–1477; Project Identifier AD– 

2023–01015–R. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective January 7, 2025. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Robinson Helicopter 

Company Model R44 helicopters serial 

numbers (S/Ns) up to 2480 inclusive and 

30001 through 30022 inclusive, and Model 

R44 II helicopters S/Ns up to 14089 

inclusive, certificated in any category, with 

riveted belt tension clutch actuator brackets 

part number A185–1, A185–2, or A185–5 

(bracket(s)), installed. 

Note 1 to paragraph (c): Helicopters with 

an R44 Cadet designation are Model R44 

helicopters. 

Note 2 to paragraph (c): Brackets attached 

to the fan scroll housing with screws are not 

applicable to this AD. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code: 6300, Main rotor drive system and 

6700, Rotorcraft flight control. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by several reports 

of failed clutch actuators and failed rivets 

attaching the belt tension clutch actuator 

brackets to the fan scroll housing. The FAA 

is issuing this AD to detect and address loose 

and missing brackets and rivets. The unsafe 

condition, if not addressed, could result in 

detachment of the bracket, causing failure of 

the clutch actuator assembly, loss of main 

and tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of 

control of the helicopter. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 232 / Tuesday, December 3, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 95719 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

Within 300 hours time-in-service or 12 

months after the effective date of this AD, 

whichever occurs first, with the fanwheel 

removed, inspect each bracket installed on 

the fan scroll housing for looseness (bracket 

can be moved by hand) and fretting and 

accomplish the actions in paragraphs (g)(1) or 

(2) of this AD, as applicable. 

(1) If there is no looseness of any bracket 

and no fretting, before further flight, visually 

inspect the fiberglass adjacent to the rivets of 

the fan scroll housing for delamination. 

(i) If there is any delamination in the 

fiberglass, before further flight, remove the 

fan scroll housing from service and install an 

airworthy fan scroll housing using 5⁄32-inch 

rivets (3 rivets on each top bracket and 6 

rivets on the bottom bracket). Figure 1 of 

Robinson Helicopter Company R44 Service 

Letter SL–61B, Revision B, dated March 16, 

2023 (SL–61B) depicts the location of each 

bracket and rivet. 

(ii) If there is no delamination in the 

fiberglass, before further flight, inspect for 

the installation of 5⁄32-inch rivets in all 12 

locations (3 rivets on each top bracket and 6 

rivets on the bottom bracket) depicted in 

Figure 1 of SL–61B. If a 5⁄32-inch rivet is not 

installed in all 12 locations, before further 

flight, replace each incorrectly sized rivet 

and each missing rivet with a 5⁄32-inch rivet. 

(iii) Apply a horizontal torque stripe to 

each rivet. 

(2) If any bracket is loose or has any 

fretting, before further flight, remove all 

brackets and inner plates from the fan scroll 

housing and accomplish the actions in 

paragraphs (g)(2)(i) through (iv) of this AD. 

(i) For each bracket with fretting, before 

further flight, remove the bracket from 

service and replace it with an airworthy 

bracket. 

(ii) Visually inspect each bracket and inner 

plate for cracks and deformation, visually 

inspect the fiberglass adjacent to the rivets of 

the fan scroll housing for delamination, and 

visually inspect each fan scroll housing rivet 

hole for delamination and other damage, 

which may be indicated by fretting. 

(A) If a bracket or inner plate has any 

cracks or deformation, before further flight, 

remove the affected part from service and 

replace it with an airworthy part. 

(B) If there is any delamination in the 

fiberglass or in any fan scroll housing rivet 

hole, before further flight, remove the fan 

scroll housing from service and install an 

airworthy fan scroll housing using 5⁄32-inch 

rivets (3 rivets on each top bracket and 6 

rivets on the bottom bracket). Figure 1 of SL– 

61B depicts the location of each bracket and 

rivet. 

(C) If there is other damage in any fan 

scroll housing rivet hole, before further flight, 

repair the rivet hole in accordance with FAAapproved procedures. 

(iii) After accomplishing the actions in 

paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD, when 

installing or reinstalling the brackets and 

inner plates on the fan scroll housing, use 

5⁄32-inch rivets in all 12 locations depicted in 

Figure 1 of SL–61B (3 rivets on each top 

bracket and 6 rivets on the bottom bracket). 

(iv) Apply a horizontal torque stripe to 

each rivet. 

(h) Special Flight Permits 

A one-time special flight permit may be 

issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 

21.199 to fly the aircraft to a location where 

the actions required by this AD can be 

accomplished. This flight must be a nonrevenue flight and limited to only essential 

flight crew. 

(i) 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 (j) 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. 

(j) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Charles Ayala, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 

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

5226; email: Charles.L.Ayala@faa.gov. 

(k) 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 the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Robinson Helicopter Company R44 

Service Letter SL–61B, Revision B, dated 

March 16, 2023. 

Note 3 to paragraph (k)(2)(i): The material 

identified in paragraph (k)(2)(i) of this AD is 

co-published as one document along with 

Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Service 

Letter SL–74B, Revision B, dated March 16, 

2023, which is not incorporated by reference 

in this AD. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(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 Regional Counsel, Southwest 

Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 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-locations or email: fr.inspection@

nara.gov. 

Issued on November 4, 2024. 

Victor Wicklund, 

Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2024–28178 Filed 12–2–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2023–1624; Airspace 

Docket No. 24–ACE–7] 

RIN 2120–AA66 

Establishment of Class E Airspace; 

Rose Hill, KS 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule, delay of effective 

date. 

SUMMARY: This action delays the 

effective date of a final rule published 

in the Federal Register on November 18, 

2024, establishing Class E airspace at 

Rose Hill, KS to support new public 

instrument procedures. The FAA is 

delaying the effective date to allow 

sufficient time for charting cut-off date 

compliance. 

DATES: The effective date of the final 

rule published on November 18, 2024 

(89 FR 90578) is delayed from December 

26, 2024, to February 20, 2025. The 

Director of the Federal Register 

approved 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. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raul 

Garza Jr., Federal Aviation 

Administration, Operations Support 

Group, Central Service Center, 10101 

Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 

76177; telephone (817) 222–5874. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The FAA published a final rule in the 

Federal Register for Docket No. FAA– 

2023–1624 (89 FR 90578, November 18, 

2024) establishing Class E airspace at 

Rose Hill, KS to support new public 

instrument procedures. The effective 

date for that final rule is December 26, 

2024. After the final rule was published, 

the FAA determined that the effective 

date did not coincide with the FAA’s 

charting cut-off date. 


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