2011-12-10: Main rotor blade

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-26-12, Amendment 39-15314 (73 FR 400; January 3, 2008), Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-04-AD; and by adding a new AD to read as follows: 2011-12-10 Robinson Helicopter Company: Amendment 39-16717; Docket No. FAA-2011-0588, Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-074-AD. Supersedes AD 2007-26-12, Amendment 39-15314, Docket No. FAA-2007-0378, Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-04-AD. Applicability: Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner helicopters, with main rotor blade (blade), part number (P/N) A016- 4; and Model R44 and R44 II helicopters, with blade, P/N C016-2 or C016-5, certificated in any category. Compliance: Required as indicated. To detect blade skin debond and prevent blade failure and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following: (a) Before the first flight of each day, visually check for any exposed (bare metal) skin-to-spar joint area on the lower surface of each blade. The actions required by this paragraph may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1)-(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. This authorization is an exception to our standard maintenance regulations. (b) If you find any bare metal in the area of the skin-to-spar bond line, before further flight, inspect the blade by following the inspection requirements of paragraph (c) of this AD. (c) Within 10 hourstime-in-service (TIS), unless done previously, and at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS or at each annual inspection, whichever occurs first, inspect each blade for corrosion, a separation, a gap, or a dent by following the Compliance Procedure, paragraphs 1 through 6 and 8, of Robinson R22 Service Bulletin SB-103, dated April 30, 2010 (SB103) for the R22 series helicopters, and Robinson R44 Service Bulletin SB-72, dated April 30, 2010 (SB72), for the R44 series helicopters. Although the Robinson service information limits the magnification to 10 x, a higher magnification is acceptable for this inspection. Also, an appropriate tap test tool which provides similar performance, weight, and consistency of tone may be substituted for the ``1965 or later United States Quarter-dollar coin,'' which is specified in the Compliance Procedure, paragraph 2, of SB-72 and SB-103. (d) Before further flight, refinish any exposed area of a blade by following the Compliance Procedure, paragraphs2 through 6, of Robinson R22 Service Letter SL-56B and R44 Service letter SL-32B, dated April 30, 2010, for both the R22 and R44 series helicopters. (e) Before further flight, replace any unairworthy blade with an airworthy blade. Note: The Robinson letter titled ``Additional Information Regarding Main Rotor Blade Skin Debonding,'' dated May 25, 2007, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the subject of this AD. This document is available at http://www.robinsonheli.com. (f) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Send your request to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Airframe Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, regarding Model R22 helicopters ATTN: Eric D. Schrieber, Aviation Safety Engineer, telephone (562) 627-5348, fax (562) 627-5210, or regarding Model R44 helicopters Attn: Fred Guerin, Aviation Safety Engineer, telephone (562) 627-5232, fax (562) 627-5210. (g) Special flight permits will not be issued. (h) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is: 6210 Main Rotor Blades. (i) The inspections shall be done following the specified portions of Robinson R22 Service Bulletin SB-103, dated April 30, 2010, or R44 Service Bulletin SB-72, dated April 30, 2010, as appropriate for each model helicopter. Repaint the exposed area of a blade by following Robinson R22 Service letter SL-56B and R44 Service Letter SL-32B (combined in one document), dated April 30, 2010. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505, telephone (310) 539-0508, fax (310) 539-5198, or at http://www.robinsonheli.com/servelib.htm. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas, or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. (j) This amendment becomes effective on July 5, 2011. [[Page 35334]]