AD 2000-07-03

May 11, 2000.

Elizabeth Bumann, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712-4137, telephone (562) 627-5265; fax (562) 627-5210.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is applicable to Robinson Model R44 helicopters was published in the Federal Register on August 11, 1999 (64 FR 43638). That action proposed inspecting the wire harness for contact with the fuel line assembly, removing and replacing the fuel line assembly if chafing has occurred, and installing spiral wrap tubing on the fuel line assembly.

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

The one commenter states that the proposed AD does not mention repair or replacement of the wire harness if chafing damaged the loom. The commenter also states that there are no instructions for ensuring proper clearance between the wire bundle and wrapped fuel pipe. The proposed AD would require inspection of the wire harness for chafing, and maintenance regulations require that the aircraft be restored to an airworthy condition before being returned to service. In order for the aircraft to be in an airworthy condition, a chafed wire harness must be replaced and proper clearance ensured. The FAA has therefore determined that it is not necessary to revise the requirements of the AD in response to these comments. However, for information only, a note 3 has been added to refer the reader to an acceptable method of replacing the wire harness.

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

The FAA estimates that 200 helicopters of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 0.3 work hour per helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $0.22 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,644.

The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct effect 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, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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.

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:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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