FR 2021-03655

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has withdrawn a proposed rule that aimed to enforce a new safety directive for the Robinson Helicopter Company Model R22 series helicopters. This rule was initially suggested after an in-flight accident involving the failure of specific helicopter components. However, the FAA has since concluded that the real issue was "mast bumping," a situation already addressed by an existing directive. As a result, the proposed rule has been deemed unnecessary and withdrawn.

Summary of the Document

This document announces the FAA's decision to rescind a proposed regulation initially driven by a helicopter accident. The accident had prompted concerns about specific helicopter parts, known as teeter stop brackets, which were thought to have contributed to the incident. The withdrawal of the proposal arises from the realization that the brackets were not the root cause; instead, the problem relates to mast bumping—a phenomenon involving the rotor's interaction with the helicopter's mast structure. The issue of mast bumping has already been comprehensively managed under a different directive issued in the mid-1990s.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several issues and concerns accompany the FAA's decision to withdraw the proposed rule.

• Lack of Explanation of Technical Terms: The document uses technical aviation terminology, such as "mast bumping" and "teeter stop brackets," without providing definitions or explanations. This could render the document less accessible to individuals unfamiliar with aviation specifics.

• Reference to Existing Regulations: While the document cites an older directive (AD 95-26-04) as addressing the mast bumping issue, it doesn’t offer an explanation of its contents. This leaves readers who are not already aware of this regulation without a clear understanding of how the problem has been resolved.

• Assumption of FAA Procedures Knowledge: The text assumes readers have an understanding of FAA regulatory processes, potentially alienating those without such knowledge from fully grasping the implications of the document.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

Impact on the General Public:

For the general public, this decision means there will be no additional regulatory measures or safety directives imposed on the R22 helicopter models at this time. This might be seen as a reassurance that existing safety standards are sufficiently robust to address any related safety issues.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders:

For helicopter operators and manufacturers, the withdrawal of this rule might be viewed positively. It indicates that they will not incur the additional costs and operational changes that new regulations might have demanded, assuming the existing measures are deemed sufficient. However, this decision also places a continued emphasis on understanding and complying with older regulations, which remain crucial to operational safety.

Conclusion

The FAA's move to withdraw the proposed safety directive reflects a careful reassessment of safety concerns and indicates reliance on existing measures to ensure the safety of helicopter operations. However, the withdrawal also highlights the need for effective communication about technical terms and regulatory measures to ensure understanding across varying audience expertise levels. While the withdrawal may have relieved certain operational and financial concerns for some stakeholders, it emphasizes the importance of adhering to and understanding already established safety protocols in aviation operations.