- Effective
- July 2, 1996
- Published
- May 28, 1996 · 61 FR 26427–26429
- Amendment
- 39-9634
- Docket
- 95-SW-32-AD
- Issued as
- Final rule
Unofficial copy from the Federal Register text, document 96-13207. Only the govinfo PDF is the legal edition.
Copies of the files this page was built from, with their SHA-256. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
| File | Size | SHA-256 | Original |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official PDF | 124 KB | 985b5a34…a21431d | 96-13207.pdf on govinfo.gov |
| Federal Register text | 11 KB | 7a84c0e0…7d95b6d | 96-13207.txt on federalregister.gov |
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Summary
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 helicopters, that requires 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 R44 Rotorcraft Flight Manual that prohibit flight with the throttle governor (governor) selected off, except in certain situations. This amendment is prompted by an FAA Technical Panel Review of Robinson accident history data which revealed that main rotor (M/R) blade stall at abnormally low M/R RPM resulted in accidents. The actions specified by this AD are intended to minimize the possibility of pilot mismanagement of the M/R RPM, which could result in unrecoverable M/R stall and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
The airworthiness directive
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
PDF page 22. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to read as follows:
AD 96-11-09 Robinson Helicopter Company: Amendment 39-9634. Docket No. 95-SW-32-AD.
Applicability: Model R44 helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 0001 through 0183 and 0189, 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 (c) 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) RPM, which could result in M/R stall and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a)
PDF page 2(a) Adjust the A569-6 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 applicable maintenance manual.
(b)
PDF page 2(b) Insert page 2-7 of the FAA-approved Robinson Helicopter Company R44 Rotorcraft Flight Manual, revised July 25, 1995, into each Model R44 helicopter's flight manual, and make pen-and-ink changes to page 2-7 to add the word ``inflight'' before ``system malfunction,'' and change ``and'' to ``or,'' so that the affected limitation will state ``Flight prohibited with governor selected off, with exceptions for inflight system malfunction or emergency procedures training.''
(c)
PDF page 2(c) 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, FAA. 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.
(d)
PDF page 2(d) 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.
(e)
PDF page 3(e) This amendment becomes effective on July 2, 1996.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 15, 1996. Daniel P. Salvano, Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
Rule preamble
The FAA’s background, reasoning and cost estimate, published with the AD.
Effective datePage 1
July 2, 1996.
For further information contactPage 1
Ms. Elizabeth Bumann, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712-4137, telephone (310) 627-5265; fax (310) 627-5210.
Supplementary informationPage 1
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Robinson Model R44 helicopters was published in the Federal Register on February 2, 1996 (61 FR 3882). That action proposed to require resetting the warning unit to activate the warning horn and caution light at 96% to 97% RPM, and revisions to the R44 Rotorcraft Flight Manual that prohibit flight with the governor selected off, except in certain situations.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received.
Two comments were received. One commenter supports the proposal. The other commenter states that the proposal should not be issued since it is unnecessary with little impact on safety. The commenter notes that Robinson Helicopter R44 Service Bulletin SB-7A, revised June 8, 1995, already requires all helicopters to be updated with the low RPM warning horn threshold between 96% to 98% RPM. Additionally, the commenter states that all U.S. registered aircraft have the current revision of the R44 Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) incorporating the governor off limitation.
The FAA does not concur. Manufacturer's Service Bulletins are not mandatory for Part 91 operators. Similarly, flight manual revisions are not required to be inserted in the RFM unless the revision is required by an AD. The FAA has determined that AD action should be taken to ensure that all U.S. operators have incorporated the revision to the Limitations section of the FAA-approved R44 RFM regarding operation of the governor.
The same commenter also disagrees with the proposed action requiring an instructor pilot to be present with a high-time experienced pilot while practicing emergency procedures with the governor off. The commenter notes that since the R44 RFM requires the governor off for autorotations, high-time experienced pilots would only be allowed to practice autorotations with an instructor pilot present. The commenter believes that a pilot should be able to practice autorotations without an instructor.
The FAA concurs. Pilots should be able to reinforce their training by practicing maneuvers in which they have already demonstrated proficiency. Pilots who have received an endorsement from a certified flight instructor to act as a pilot in command of a Robinson R44 helicopter should be allowed to practice emergency procedures training without the assistance of a flight instructor. This final rule is revised to require the Limitations section of the R44 RFM to read ``Flight prohibited with governor selected off, with exceptions for inflight system malfunction or emergency procedures training.''
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 as proposed except for revisions to paragraph (b) to delete the words ``with an instructor pilot'' from the requirement ``flight prohibited with governor selected off, with exceptions for inflight system malfunction or emergency procedures training with an instructor pilot.''
The FAA estimates that 20 helicopters of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 0.2 work hour per helicopter to accomplish the actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $240.
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 39Page 2
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the AmendmentPage 2
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:
Adoption of the amendmentPage 2
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.