AD 97-02-14

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R22 helicopters, that currently requires installation of an improved throttle governor; an adjustment to the low RPM warning unit threshold to increase the revolutions-per-minute (RPM) at which the warning horn and caution light activate; and revisions to the R22 Rotorcraft Flight Manual that prohibit flight with the improved throttle governor selected off, except in certain situations. This amendment requires the same actions required by the existing AD, as well as requires an insertion of procedures for the improved throttle governor into the Normal and Emergency sections of the R22 Rotorcraft Flight Manual and corrects the applicability section of the existing AD. This amendment is prompted by the need to insert normal and emergency procedures for the improved throttle governor into the flight manual, and expand the applicability statement of this AD to include all Robinson Model R22 helicopters. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to minimize the possibility of pilot mismanagement of the main rotor (M/R) RPM, which could result in unrecoverable M/R blade stall and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Final rule

97-02-14 ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY: Amendment 39-9899. Docket No. 96-SW-14-AD. Supersedes AD 96-11-08, Amendment 39-9633.

Applicability: Model R22 helicopters, 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 (e) 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 30 days after the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished previously.

To minimize the possibility of pilot mismanagement of the main rotor (M/R) revolutions-per-minute (RPM), which could result in unrecoverable M/R blade stall and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:

(a) Adjust the A569-1 or -5 low-RPM warning unit so that the warning horn and caution light activate when the M/R RPM is between 96% and 97% rotor RPM in accordance with the procedures contained in the Model R22 maintenance manual.

(b) For Model R22 helicopters that do not have a governor currently installed, install a Robinson Helicopter Company KI-67-2 Governor Field Installation Kit in accordance with the kit instructions. Upon completion of the governor installation required by this paragraph, revise the FAA-approved Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD.

(c) For Model R22 helicopters that have a throttle/collective governor currently installed, upgrade the governor with a Robinson Helicopter Company KI-67-3 Governor Upgrade Kit in accordance with the kit instructions. Upon completion of the upgrade required by this paragraph, revise the FAA-approved Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) in accordance with paragraphs (d) of this AD.

(d) Revise the FAA-approved Robinson Helicopter Company R22 RFM as follows:

(1) Insert the FAA-approved Robinson Helicopter Company R22 RFM revision, dated July 6, 1995, or later FAA-approved revision addressing the governor normal and emergency procedures, into the Normal and Emergency sections of the RFM.

(2) Include the following statement in the Limitations section:

"Flight prohibited with governor selected off, with exceptions for inflight systemmalfunction or emergency procedures training."

This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD or the FAA-approved Robinson Helicopter Company R22 RFM revision dated July 23, 1996, into the RFM.

(e) 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. 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.

(f) 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.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on March 4, 1997.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 96-11-08, Amendment 39-9633 (61 FR 26429, May 28, 1996), which is applicable to Robinson Model R22 helicopters, was published in the Federal Register on August 30, 1996 (61 FR 45916). That action proposed to require installation of the improved throttle governor; an adjustment to the low RPM warning unit threshold; insertions of language into the R22 Rotorcraft Flight Manual in the Normal and Emergency sections to address procedures for the improved throttle governor, as well as an insertion in the Limitations section that prohibits flight with the improved throttle governor selected off, except in certain situations; and, proposed to expand the applicability section to additional Model R22 helicopters and revise the estimated cost impact of the existing AD.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

The FAA estimates that 1,014 helicopters of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work hours to install the improved throttle governor, or 7 hours to upgrade the throttle/collective governor, 4 hours to upgrade the magnetos, if required, and approximately 0.2 work hour to accomplish the adjustment of the light/warning horn RPM, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $2,150 per helicopter to install the improved throttle governor, or approximately $500 for upgrading the throttle/collective governor per helicopter. Installation of upgraded magnetos, if required, will cost approximately $927 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,029,088. This cost estimate assumes that no helicopters are currently equipped with a governor and all will need the improved throttle governor installed. Additionally, the cost estimate assumes that 300 Model R22 helicopters will require installation of the upgraded magnetos.

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, 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 removing Amendment 39-9633 (61 FR 26429, May 28, 1996), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), Amendment 39-9899, to read as follows: