2024-21921

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-2024-0237; Project Identifier AD-2023-00491-R; Amendment 39-22853; AD 2024-19-11] • RIN 2120-AA64 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of a fractured clutch shaft forward yoke (yoke) on the main rotor (M/R) drive due to fatigue cracking. This AD requires visually ( printed page 78786) inspecting a certain part-numbered flex plate assembly (flex plate) and certain part-numbered yokes, including each flex plate bolt, and depending on the inspection results, removing an affected part from service and replacing an affected part with an airworthy part. This AD also requires removing a certain part-numbered yoke from service after accumulating a certain number of hours time-in-service (TIS) or a certain number of years, or as an alternative to removing the part from service, performing a 10× or higher power magnification visual inspection and, if needed, a magnetic particle inspection. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective October 31, 2024. ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0237; 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 Material: For Robinson 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Moreland, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (562) 627-5364; email: Eric.R.Moreland@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background After receiving a report of a failed yoke in the M/R drive system, the FAA issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin AIR-22-08, dated April 11, 2022 (SAIB) to remind owners and operators of any Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 helicopters of the importance of adhering to existing inspection procedures in the applicable operating handbooks and maintenance manuals. According to Robinson Helicopter Company, the yoke had fractured due to fatigue cracking and improper torque at the bolt hole and the yoke cross-section. After the FAA issued the SAIB, Robinson Helicopter Company reported an additional incident on a Model R44 helicopter where the yoke was fractured and separated from the drive train, again due to fatigue cracks and improper torquing. Accordingly, the FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to…

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