Would Require Replacement Of Inflation Valve Assembly

The FAA has published an NPRM in the Federal Register proposing an AD for Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 and R44 II helicopters equipped with emergency floats, which would require replacing the inflation valve assembly. The proposed AD is prompted by failure of the emergency floats to deploy during a factory test because a needle was binding within the inflation valve assembly. The proposed actions are intended prevent the failure of the floats to inflate during an emergency landing.

The FAA is proposing this AD after an evaluation of all known relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type designs. That review included Robinson R44 Service Bulletin SB-80, dated September 7, 2011 (SB), which describes procedures for upgrading certain valve assemblies within the next 250 flight hours or by June 30, 2012, whichever occurs first. The SB reports that during a factory test of pop-out emergency floats the floats failed to inflate because of a stuck cylinder valve.

The FAA estimate that this proposed AD would affect 165 helicopters of U.S. Registry and that the labor cost would average $85 per work-hour. Based on these assumptions, we estimate that replacing the inflation valve assembly would take 2.5 work-hours for a 5 labor cost of about $213. Parts would cost $850 to $955 for a total cost per helicopter of $1,063 to $1,168.

The comment period on the proposed AD is now open. The FAA says the most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should submit only one time. Comments must be received by December 17, 2012.

FMI: NPRM