2024-03920

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: • the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document • the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to • the agency docket number / agency internal file number • the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration • 14 CFR Part 39 • [Docket No. FAA-2023-2232; Project Identifier AD-2023-00943-R; Amendment 39-22681; AD 2024-04-02] • RIN 2120-AA64 ( printed page 14377) 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 R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44, R44 II, and R66 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of helicopters losing a tail rotor blade (TRB) tip cap. This AD requires visually checking and inspecting certain part-numbered and serial-numbered TRB tip caps for evidence of corrosion and, depending on the results, removing the corrosion. This AD also requires removing all affected TRBs from service and prohibits installing them on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective April 2, 2024. ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-2232; 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. Related Service Information: • For service information identified in this final rule, contact Robinson Helicopter Company, Technical Support Department, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505; phone (310) 539-0508; fax (310) 539-5198; emailts1@robinsonheli.com; or website robinsonheli.com. • You may view this service information 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Guo, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (562) 627-5357; email: james.guo@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 Robinson Helicopter Company Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44, R44 II, and R66 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 6, 2023 (88 FR 84761). The NPRM was prompted by three reports of TRB tip caps coming loose due to corrosion at the bond on Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 helicopters. Due to the similarity of the TRB tip caps on Robinson Helicopter Company Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44 II, and R66 helicopters, those model helicopters are also affected by this issue. According to Robinson Helicopter Company, it has also seen TRBs that have corroded to an unserviceable condition, including severe leading edge pitting and degradation of the bond at the tip cap. Robinson Helicopter Company advises that helicopters operating near sa…

Fonte: Federal Register (federalregister.gov). Texto original em inglês. Conteúdo sanitizado por segurança.