FAA-2025-10097

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-2025-0011; Project Identifier AD-2024-00618-R; Amendment 39-23053; AD 2025-11-07] • RIN 2120-AA64 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-19-11 for all Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. AD 2024-19-11 required visually inspecting a certain flex plate assembly (flex plate) and certain clutch shaft forward yokes (yokes), including each flex plate bolt, and depending on the results, taking corrective actions. AD 2024-19-11 also required removing certain yokes from service within a specified threshold, or as an alternative, performing in-depth inspections. Since the FAA issued AD 2024-19-11, it has been determined that clarifications regarding the alternative inspections are necessary. This AD requires the actions of AD 2024-19-11 and clarifies that the alternative inspections are repetitive and adds a particular paint remover option to use when performing those alternative inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective July 11, 2025. ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0011; 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. 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 The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2024-19-11, Amendment 39-22853 (89 FR 78785, September 26, 2024) (AD 2024-19-11). AD 2024-19-11 applied to all Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on January 30, 2025 (90 FR 8499). The NPRM was prompted by reports of a fractured yoke on the main rotor (M/R) drive due to fatigue cracking. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require requirements of AD 2024-19-11 and update the alternative action to repetitively inspect a yoke that has reached the specified threshold instead of replacing it. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments The FAA received comments from three commenters. Commenters included two individual commenters and Robinson Helicopter Company. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment. One individual commenter supported the NPRM without change. Request To Change the Applicable Paint Stripper One individual commenter requested the FAA revise the required paint stripper from Bonderite S-ST 5251 to Bonderite S-ST 5351. …

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