AD 97-25-05

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R22 helicopters with a Lycoming 0-360-J2A engine installation. This AD requires replacing the carburetor and carburetor air temperature (CAT) gage with an improved carburetor that does not require manual leaning of the fuel/air mixture during flight, and a remarked CAT gage; and revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual to remove the reference to leaning the engine. This amendment is prompted by a report from the Civil Aviation Authority of Great Britain that cautioned that the mixture control could inadvertently be placed in the idle cutoff position during in-flight manual leaning of the fuel/air mixture in the carburetor of the Lycoming 0-360-J2A engine. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent inadvertent placement of the mixture control to the idle cutoff position during in-flight leaning of the engine, which could result in an engine shutdown and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Final rule

97-25-05 ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY: Amendment 39-10228. Docket No. 97-SW-04-AD.

Applicability: Model R22 helicopters, serial number (S/N) 2571 through 2664, certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any helicopter from the applicability of this AD.

Compliance: Required within 50 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent inadvertent placement of the mixture control to the idle cutoff position during in-flight leaning of the engine, which could result in an engine shutdown and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:

(a) Remove the MA-4-5 carburetor and carburetor air temperature (CAT) gage, part number (P/N) C604-6, and replace them with an airworthy MA-4SPA carburetor and remarked CAT gage, P/N A604-2, in accordance with Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Service Bulletin SB-82, dated March 3, 1997, and Robinson Helicopter Company KI-114 O-360 Engine Carburetor Change Kit instructions, Revision A, dated March 6, 1997.

(b) Upon completion of paragraph (a) of this AD, insert the FAA-approved R22 Pilot's Operating Handbook Section 9, Supplements 7 (R22 Beta II) and 8 (R22 Mariner II), revised February 6, 1997, into the R22 Rotorcraft Flight Manual.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(e) The modification shall be done in accordance with Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Service Bulletin SB-82, dated March 3, 1997, and Robinson Helicopter Company KI-114 O-360 Engine Carburetor Change Kit instructions, Revision A, dated March 6, 1997. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, California 90505, telephone (310) 539-0508; fax (310) 539-5198. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on January 12, 1998.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R22 helicopters with a Lycoming 0-360-J2A engine installation was published in the Federal Register on May 19, 1997 (62 FR 27211). That action proposed to require replacing the carburetor and carburetor air temperature (CAT) gage with an improved carburetor that does not require manual leaning of the fuel/air mixture during flight, and remarking the CAT gage; and inserting revision procedures into the Rotorcraft Flight Manual that remove the reference to leaning the engine.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comment received.

The commenter requests that "or later" be inserted following the revision and date of the kit instructions to allow for possible changes. The FAA does not concur with this request. The kit instructions contain information that is most generally contained in the body of a manufacturer's service bulletin. Subsequent revisions to these instructions will be evaluated by the FAA and if a change is warranted, issuance of a subsequent AD is the proper procedure for making such a change. Additionally, the phrase "or a later FAA-approved revision" is removed from paragraph (b) of the AD. As with the kit instructions, if the FAA deems it necessary to require the insertion into the Rotorcraft Flight Manual of revised procedures, issuance of a subsequent AD is the proper procedure for making such a change.

After careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of this AD.

The FAA estimates that 50 helicopters of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $3,641 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $197,050.

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a "significant rule" under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption "ADDRESSES."

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.

39.13 - [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to read as follows: