Document ID: FAA-2022-0872-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters
Posted Date: 2022-07-13T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 13, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41627-41629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-14830]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 13, 2022 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 41627]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0872; Project Identifier AD-2022-00431-R]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2021-19-08, which applies to certain Robinson Helicopter Company 
(Robinson) Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. AD 2021-19-08 requires 
checking each tail rotor blade (blade) for any crack and removing any 
cracked blade from service. AD 2021-19-08 also requires removing all 
affected blades from service and prohibits installing any affected 
blade on any helicopter. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-19-08, it was 
determined that an additional model helicopter and additional blades 
are affected by the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would require 
the same actions as AD 2021-19-08 and would add certain Robinson Model 
R66 helicopters to the applicability and add additional part-numbered 
and serial-numbered blades to the applicability. The FAA is proposing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 29, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Robinson 
Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505, United 
States; phone: (310) 539-0508; email: [email protected]; website: 
https://robinsonheli.com/. You may view this service information at the 
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood 
Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0872; 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 NPRM, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Guo, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Section, Los Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; telephone 
(562) 627-5357; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0872; Project Identifier 
AD-2022-00431-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
the proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to James 
Guo, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 
Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., 
Lakewood, CA 90712; telephone (562) 627-5357; email [email protected]. 
Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically 
designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this 
rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued AD 2021-19-08, Amendment 39-21726 (86 FR 49915, 
September 7, 2021) (AD 2021-19-08), for Robinson Model R44 and R44 II 
helicopters with a blade part number (P/N) C029-3 with serial number 
(S/N) 9410 through 9909 inclusive, installed. AD 2021-19-08 was 
prompted by reports of spanwise cracks found along the leading edge of 
P/N C029-3 blades, S/N 9410 through 9909. These affected blades were 
factory-installed or shipped as spares between March and December 2019. 
The cracks were found at different inspection intervals ranging from 
preflight inspections to 100-hour inspections. In one instance, a 
cracked blade was suspected when the pilot felt

[[Page 41628]]

abnormal vibrations during flight; subsequent investigation determined 
that the blade was cracked. The cause of the cracks was determined to 
be a manufacturing defect in the properties of the blade skin that 
makes the blades prone to stress corrosion cracking. This condition, if 
not addressed, could result in reduced controllability and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter. AD 2021-19-08 requires checking each 
blade for any crack and removing any cracked blade from service. AD 
2021-19-08 also requires removing all affected blades from service and 
prohibits installing any affected blade on any helicopter. The agency 
issued AD 2021-19-08 to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Actions Since AD 2021-19-08 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2021-19-08, two additional cracked blades 
were discovered; these blades also exhibited stress corrosion cracking, 
however they were not part of the lot of affected blades that are 
included in AD 2021-19-08. These new affected blades are from a batch 
of blades manufactured from a separate lot of material, and testing 
determined that they are also susceptible to stress corrosion cracking 
and can be installed on Robinson Model R44, R44 II, and R66 
helicopters. Additionally, while AD 2021-19-08 was issued as a Final 
rule; request for comments, the FAA has determined that, because the 
risk model predictions for the additional helicopter model and blades 
are lower, providing notice and opportunity for public comment is 
appropriate.
    Since the issuance of 2021-19-08, the FAA received one comment from 
Robinson requesting that the FAA correct an inaccurate statement in the 
background section of the preamble text. Discovery of the incident was 
incorrectly described as a pilot feeling abnormal vibrations during 
flight. The incident was actually discovered when the ground crew 
noticed an abnormal noise during a shipboard landing.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type designs.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Robinson R44 Service Bulletin SB-108, dated June 
30, 2021. This service bulletin specifies removing P/N C029-3 blades 
with S/N 9410 through 9909 from service. For continued operation until 
the affected blades are replaced, the service bulletin specifies a 
preflight inspection to be performed by the pilot.
    The FAA also reviewed Robinson R44 Service Bulletin SB-110, which 
specifies removing P/N C029-3 blades with S/N 9910 through 10659 from 
service and Robinson R66 Service Bulletin SB-40, which specifies 
removing P/N F029-1 blades with S/N 2410 through 2589 from service. 
Both of these service bulletins are dated January 6, 2022 and specify 
that a preflight inspection is to be performed by the pilot for 
continued operation until the affected blades are replaced.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would continue to require, before further flight 
and thereafter before each flight, checking each affected blade for any 
crack along the leading edge of the blade. An owner/operator (pilot) 
holding at least a private pilot certificate may perform this proposed 
check and would have to enter compliance with the applicable paragraph 
of this proposed AD in the helicopter maintenance records in accordance 
with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). A pilot may perform this check 
because it involves visually checking each blade for a crack. This 
action could be performed equally well by a pilot or a mechanic. This 
check is an exception to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations. 
This proposed AD would also continue to require, before further flight, 
removing from service any cracked blade and would prohibit installing 
the affected blades on any helicopter. This proposed AD would also 
require, within three months after the effective date of AD 2021-19-08 
or within six months after the effective date of this AD, as 
applicable, removing all affected blades from service. Finally, this 
proposed AD would revise the applicability by adding blades with P/N 
C029-3 with S/N 9910 through 10659 inclusive to the applicability for 
Robinson Model R44 and R44 II helicopters and would also expand the 
applicability by adding Robinson Model R66 helicopters with blade P/N 
F-029-1 with S/N 2410 through 2589 inclusive installed.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 432 helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the 
following costs to comply with this proposed AD. Labor costs are 
estimated at $85 per work-hour.
    Checking a blade for any crack would take about 0.25 work-hour for 
an estimated cost of up to $44 per helicopter (up to two affected 
blades per helicopter) and up to $19,008 for the U.S. fleet per check. 
Replacing a blade would take about 3.5 work-hours and parts would cost 
about $3,320 for an estimated cost of $3,618 per blade and up to 
$3,125,952 for the U.S. fleet.
    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this 
proposed 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

    The FAA 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 above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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.

[[Page 41629]]

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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive AD 2021-19-08, Amendment 39-21726 
(86 FR 49915, September 7, 2021); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Robinson Helicopter Company: Docket No. FAA-2022-0872; Project 
Identifier AD-2022-00431-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by August 29, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2021-19-08, Amendment 39-21726 (86 FR 49915, 
September 7, 2021) (AD 2021-19-08).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Robinson Helicopter Company 
(Robinson) helicopters, certificated in any category:
    (1) Robinson Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with a tail rotor 
blade (blade) part number (P/N) C029-3 with serial number (S/N) 9410 
through 9909 inclusive, installed;
    (2) Robinson Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with a blade P/N 
C029-3 with S/N 9910 through 10659 inclusive, installed; and
    (3) Robinson Model R66 helicopters with a blade P/N F029-1 with 
S/N 2410 through 2589 inclusive, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6410, Tail Rotor 
Blades.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracked blades. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to detect and prevent cracks in the affected blades. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 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) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD 
and thereafter before each flight, check each blade at the leading 
edge for a crack. This action may be performed by the owner/operator 
(pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be 
entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in 
accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The 
record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 
135.439.
    (2) If there is any crack, before further flight, remove the 
blade from service.
    (3) For helicopters identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, 
within 3 months after September 22, 2021 (the effective date of AD 
2021-19-08) remove from service any blade identified in paragraph 
(c)(1) of this AD.
    (4) For helicopters identified in paragraphs (c)(2) and (3) of 
this AD, within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, remove 
from service any blade identified in paragraph (c)(2) or (3) of this 
AD, as applicable to your model helicopter.
    (5) For helicopters identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, 
as of September 22, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-19-08), do 
not install a blade identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD on any 
helicopter.
    (6) For helicopters identified in paragraphs (c)(2) and (3) of 
this AD, as of the effective date of this AD, do not install a blade 
identified in paragraph (c)(2) or (3) of this AD, as applicable to 
your model helicopter, on any helicopter.

(h) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO 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 certification office, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may 
be emailed to: [email protected].
    (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.
    (3) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2021-19-08 are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding requirements in paragraph (g) of this 
AD.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact James Guo, Aerospace 
Engineer, Airframe Section, Los Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 
90712; telephone (562) 627-5357; email [email protected].

    Issued on July 7, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-14830 Filed 7-12-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P