DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1886; Project Identifier AD-2023-01018-R;
Amendment 39-22862; AD 2024-20-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson Helicopter) Model R22 Beta, R22
Mariner, R44, and R44 II helicopters with a certain governor controller
installed. This AD was prompted by reports of engine governor failure,
which was a result of water intrusion inside of the governor
controller. This AD requires replacing certain governor controllers and
prohibits installing those governor controllers on any helicopter. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 29, 2024.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 29, 2024.

ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1886; 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference:

For Robinson Helicopter 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.

You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1886.

Other Related Material: For Robinson Helicopter material identified
in this AD, contact Robinson Helicopter Company at its contact
information under Material Incorporated by Reference above.

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 by adding an AD that would apply to Robinson Helicopter
Model R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44, and R44 II helicopters with a
governor controller part number (P/N) D270-1, Revision A through E
inclusive, installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
July 17, 2024 (89 FR 58084). The NPRM was prompted by three reports of
governor controller failures involving Robinson Helicopter Model R22
Beta and R44 II helicopters. Prior to these governor controller
failures, several operators notified Robinson Helicopter of a
malfunction of the governor controller. As a result of an
investigation, it has been determined
that the root cause for these malfunctions is water intrusion in the
circuit board of the governor controller. In light of this, Robinson
Helicopter issued service bulletins which specify exchanging the
existing governor controller with a governor which provides additional
moisture protection.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require removing any governor
controller P/N D270-1, Revision A thru E inclusive, from service and
installing a governor controller P/N D270-1, Revision F or later
approved revision. In the NPRM, the FAA also proposed to prohibit
installing governor controller P/N D270-1, Revision A through E
inclusive, on any helicopter, since the affected parts may also be
installed on Robinson Helicopter Model R22 Mariner and R44 helicopters.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of engine
speed governing such as an engine overspeed or underspeed condition,
and subsequent unexpected loss of power during critical phases of
flight and landing. 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 one commenter, Robinson Helicopter,
who stated that they had no comment.

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting the AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Robinson Helicopter R22 Service Bulletin SB-121
and Robinson Helicopter R44 Service Bulletin SB-114, each dated June
28, 2023 (SB-121 and SB-114). This material specifies procedures for
removing governor controller, part number D270-1, Revision A thru E,
and replacing it with governor controller P/N D270-1, Revision F (or
subsequent). This material is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Other Related Material

The FAA also reviewed Robinson R22 and R44 Engine Monitoring Unit
(EMU) Technician's PC Software Guide, dated Oct 9, 2020. This material
provides information to program the new EMU ID for the governor
controller.

Differences Between This AD and the Referenced Material

The referenced material applies to Robinson Helicopter Model R22-
series and R44-series helicopters with certain P/N D270-1 governor
controllers installed and also identifies which serial-numbered
helicopters the affected parts were factory installed on, whereas this
AD applies to all Robinson Helicopter Model R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44,
and R44 II helicopters with a certain P/N D270-1 governor controller
installed. This AD requires accomplishing certain actions specified in
SB-121 or SB-114, as applicable to your helicopter model, except the
procedures in paragraph 4. of SB-121 and SB-114 must be accomplished by
persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3., instead of "an appropriately
rated person."

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 140 helicopters of U.S.
registry. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this AD.

Replacing the governor controller will take 2 work-hours and parts
will cost $1,800 for an estimated cost of $1,970 per helicopter and
$275,800 for the U.S. fleet.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.

The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:

(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive
Order 12866,

(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

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

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]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive: