[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68058-68060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27050]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1182; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-062-AD;
Amendment 39-17251; AD 2012-22-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing Emergency airworthiness
directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-70,
S-70A, S-70C, S-70C(M), and S-70C(M1) helicopters with a certain part-
numbered intermediate gearbox (IGB). The existing Emergency AD requires
a one-time inspection of the internal oil passages of the IGB for an
obstruction. That Emergency AD was prompted by an accident that
resulted from blockage of oil in the IGB by a plug that was
inadvertently left in the IGB during the coating of the IGB housing. We
are issuing this supersedure to that Emergency AD to include two
additional part numbers of affected IGBs and identify a specific date
since new or overhaul of the affected IGBs. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to detect a plug in the IGB and prevent
overheating and seizing of the IGB, failure of the tail rotor drive
output shaft, loss of tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of control
of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD becomes effective November 30, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of November 30,
2012.
We must receive comments on this AD by January 14, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9
a.m. and 5
[[Page 68059]]
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket
Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the economic
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Sikorsky
Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical Support,
mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06614; telephone (800)
562-4409; email [email protected]; or at http://www.sikorsky.com.
You may review the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Davison, Flight Test Engineer,
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England Executive
Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7156; fax (781) 238-
7170; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we
invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written
comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific
portion of the AD, 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 them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that
we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.
Discussion
On October 13, 2011, we issued Emergency AD 2011-22-51, which was
made immediately effective to all known U.S. owners and operators of
Sikorsky Model S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S 70C(M), and S-70C(M1) helicopters.
That Emergency AD requires a one-time inspection for any obstruction of
the internal oil passages of the IGB, part number (P/N) 70357-06300-
044, with 100 or less hours time-in-service since new or overhaul. If
there is an obstruction in an oil passage, the Emergency AD requires
replacing the IGB with an airworthy IGB before further flight. That
action was prompted by an accident involving a Model MH-60R helicopter
in which the IGB output shaft failed and the tail rotor drive was lost
after the IGB overheated and seized up. The output shaft failed because
a protective plug, which was installed in an oil passage of the IGB to
protect the oil passage during coating of the IGB housing as part of
the manufacturing process, was inadvertently left in the IGB and
blocked the internal oil passages of the IGB. The IGBs for Model MH-60R
helicopters are manufactured and overhauled in the same facility as
IGBs for Model S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S-70C(M), and S-70C(M1) helicopters.
Actions Since Existing Emergency AD Was Issued
Since we issued Emergency AD 2011-22-51, we discovered we
inadvertently omitted two P/Ns and a specific date since new or
overhaul of the affected IGBs in the emergency AD. Emergency AD 2011-
22-51 is applicable to Model S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S-70C(M), and S-
70C(M1) helicopters with an IGB, P/N 70357-06300-044, with 100 or less
hours time-in-service (TIS) since new or overhaul. In issuing this
superseding AD, we are requiring the same actions, but revising the
applicability to include IGB P/Ns 70357-06300-042 and 70357-06300-043,
in addition to IGB P/N 70357-06300-044. We are also adding a specific
date, so that the applicability only includes those IGBs that had 100
or less hours time-in-service since new or overhaul on October 11,
2011.
FAA's Determination
We are issuing this AD because we reviewed the relevant information
and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist
or develop in other products of these same type designs.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service Bulletin
No. 70-06-29A, dated October 11, 2011 (ASB). The ASB specifies:
A one-time borescope inspection of the lubrication
passages from the oil scupper to the input and output housing.
Disassembling the IGB for inspection as an alternative to
the borescope inspection.
Adding an ``A'' suffix to the serial number of any IGB
that has been inspected.
AD Requirements
This AD requires, before further flight, borescope inspecting the
IGB for any obstruction in the oil passages. As an alternative to the
borescope inspection, this AD allows disassembling the IGB and
inspecting the oil passages for any obstruction. If there is any
obstruction in any oil passage, replace the IGB with an airworthy IGB
before further flight. These actions must be accomplished in accordance
with specified portions of the ASB described previously.
Differences Between This AD and the Service Information
This AD does not apply to the Model H-60 helicopter as it does not
have a U.S. type certificate. This AD does not require returning any
parts to Sikorsky nor does it require marking the IGB after inspection.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 9 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in
order to comply with this AD. It will take about 2 work-hours to
perform a borescope inspection at an average labor rate of $85 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the
inspection on U.S. operators to be $1,530 or $170 per helicopter. If
any obstruction is found in any oil passage, we estimate that it will
take about 3 work-hours to replace the IGB and required parts will cost
about $21,283, for a total cost of $21,538 per helicopter.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the
required corrective actions must be accomplished before further flight.
Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior public comment
are impracticable and contrary
[[Page 68060]]
to the public interest and that good cause exists for making this
amendment effective in less than 30 days.
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.
We are 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
We determined that 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, I certify that this AD:
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);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
4. 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.
We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply
with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
Reference, Safety.
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2012-22-14 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-17251; Docket
No. FAA-2012-1182; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-062-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky)
Model S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S-70C(M), and S-70C(M1) helicopters with
an intermediate gearbox (IGB), part number 70357-06300-042, 70357-
06300-043, or 70357-06300-044, with 100 or less hours time-in-
service since new or overhaul of the IGB on October 11, 2011,
certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as blockage of the internal
oil passages of the IGB by a protective plug, that could result in
overheating and seizing of the IGB, failure of the tail rotor drive
output shaft, loss of tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
(c) Other Affected ADs
This AD supersedes Emergency AD No. 2011-22-51, Directorate ID
2011-SW-056-AD, dated October 13, 2011.
(d) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective November 30, 2012.
(e) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each action required by this
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been
accomplished prior to that time.
(f) Required Actions
Before further flight:
(1) Borescope inspect the IGB for any obstruction in the oil
passages. Borescope inspect in accordance with the following
portions of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 70-06-29A, dated
October 11, 2011 (ASB), except this AD does not require returning
any parts to ``depot'' or Sikorsky:
(i) The Accomplishment Instructions, Section 3., paragraphs
A.(1) through A.(3)(a);
(ii) Equipment and Materials and Inspection sections of Appendix
I; and
(iii) Figures 1 through 10 of Appendix I.
(2) As an alternative to the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of
this AD, disassemble the IGB and inspect the oil passages for any
obstruction. Removing any obstruction from the IGB does not make it
airworthy.
(3) If there is any obstruction in any oil passage, replace the
IGB with an airworthy IGB before further flight.
(g) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Mike Davison,
Flight Test Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781)
238-7156; fax (781) 238-7170; email [email protected].
(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the local flight standards district office or
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft
complying with this AD through an AMOC.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6520, Tail Rotor
Gearbox.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service Bulletin No. 70-
06-29A, dated October 11, 2011.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Sikorsky service information identified in this AD,
contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial
Technical Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT
06614; telephone (800) 562-4409; email [email protected]; or
at http://www.sikorsky.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may also view this service information that is
incorporated by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 30, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-27050 Filed 11-14-12; 8:45 am]
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