[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 119 (Thursday, June 20, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37160-37162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14699]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0514; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-068-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
(Sikorsky) Model Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Sikorsky Model S-76A, B, and C helicopters to require certain
inspections of each spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly
for a crack. If there is a crack, this proposed AD would require
replacing the cracked part. If there is no crack, this AD would require
applying white paint to the inspection area to enhance the existing
inspection procedure. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery of
cracks in the spindle cuffs. The proposed actions are intended to
prevent failure of a spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly,
loss of a rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 19, 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 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 proposed 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 proposed 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; http://www.eurocopter.com/techpub. 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: Nicholas Faust, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts
01803; telephone (781) 238-7763; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
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 might
result from adopting the proposals in this document. 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
[[Page 37161]]
filed electronically, commenters should submit 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 proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay.
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.
Discussion
We propose to adopt a new AD for Sikorsky Model S-76A, B, and C
helicopters. This proposed AD would require, depending on the hours
time-in-service (TIS) of each part, either a one-time nondestructive
inspection (NDI) or a visual inspection of each spindle cuff assembly
or blade fold cuff assembly for a crack. If there is a crack, this
proposed AD would require replacing the cracked part. If there is no
crack, this proposed AD would require applying white paint to a portion
of each spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly lower cuff
plate to enhance the existing inspection procedure. This proposed AD is
prompted by the discovery of five cracked spindle cuffs found during
aircraft overhaul. The proposed actions are intended to prevent failure
of a spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly, loss of a rotor
blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant
information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is
likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type
designs.
Related Service Information
Sikorsky issued S-76 Alert Service Bulletin ASB 76-65-67A, Revision
A, dated July 18, 2012 (ASB), which specifies performing an NDI of the
upper and lower cuff plate on each spindle cuff assembly or blade fold
cuff assembly for a crack, either by eddy current, fluorescent
penetrant, or ultrasonic inspection. If a crack indication is detected
and not verified, the ASB specifies performing a different NDI to
verify a crack. If there is a crack, the ASB specifies removing the
spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly from service. If a
crack cannot be verified, the ASB specifies contacting Sikorsky for
further instruction. Finally, if no crack is found, the ASB specifies
applying white paint to a portion of the spindle cuff assembly or blade
fold cuff assembly lower cuff plate to enhance the existing inspection
procedure.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require within 150 hours TIS:
For each spindle cuff assembly or blade cuff assembly with
1,900 or more hours TIS, conducting an NDI by a qualified inspector by
following specified portions of the ASB.
For each spindle cuff assembly or blade cuff assembly with
less than 1,900 hours TIS, visually inspecting each white paint
application area for a crack by using a 5x or higher power magnifying
glass.
If there is a crack, before further flight, replacing each
cracked spindle cuff assembly or cracked blade fold cuff assembly with
an airworthy assembly.
If there is no crack, applying white paint by following
specified portions of the ASB.
This proposed AD also prohibits installing an affected spindle cuff
assembly or blade cuff fold assembly on any helicopter unless it has
been inspected in accordance with the requirements of this AD.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
The ASB specifies contacting the manufacturer if suspect cracks are
not confirmed in the spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly;
this proposed AD would not require contacting the manufacturer. This
proposed AD applies to spindle cuff assembly, part number (P/N) 76102-
08001-043, which was inadvertently omitted in the ASB. The manufacturer
has stated that they will issue an ASB in the future that will also
apply to this spindle cuff assembly. The ASB applies to spare parts;
this proposed AD does not.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 181 helicopters of
U.S. Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order
to comply with this AD, based on an average labor cost of $85 per work
hour: It would take 2.5 work hours to do an NDI and 2 work hours to
apply the white paint. It would cost $15 in materials for the paint for
each helicopter. Based on these estimates, it would cost a total of
$398 per helicopter and $72,038 for the fleet.
If it is necessary to replace a spindle cuff assembly or a blade
cuff assembly, it would take 2.5 work hours and an estimated parts cost
of $54,000, for a total cost of $54,212 for each helicopter.
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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 proposed 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
[[Page 37162]]
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):
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2013-0514; Directorate
Identifier 2012-SW-068-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model S-76A, S-76B, and S-76C helicopters
with a serial number up to and including 760822 and with a spindle
cuff assembly, part number (P/N) 76102-08001-043, -045 or -046, or a
blade fold cuff assembly, P/N 76150-09601-041, installed,
certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in a spindle
cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly. This condition could
result in failure of a spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff
assembly, loss of a rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
(c) 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.
(d) Required Actions
Within 150 hours time-in-service (TIS):
(1) For each spindle cuff assembly or blade cuff assembly with
1,900 or more hours TIS, conduct a nondestructive (NDI) inspection
by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B., of
Sikorsky S-76 Alert Service Bulletin ASB 76-65-67A, Revision A,
dated July 18, 2012 (ASB), except this AD does not require you to
contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. This inspection must be done
by a level 2 or higher technician with National Aerospace Standard
410 or equivalent certification.
(2) For each spindle cuff assembly or blade cuff assembly with
less than 1,900 hours TIS, visually inspect the area indicated in
Figure 4 of the ASB as ``white paint application area'' for a crack
by using a 5x or higher power magnifying glass.
(3) If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the
cracked part.
(4) If there is no crack, apply white paint by following the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.D., of the ASB.
(5) Do not install an affected spindle cuff assembly or blade
fold cuff assembly on any helicopter unless it has been inspected in
accordance with paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(4) of this AD.
(e) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits will not be issued.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)
(1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Nicholas Faust,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone
(781) 238-7763; 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.
(g) Additional Information
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.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220 Main Rotor
Head.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 12, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-14699 Filed 6-19-13; 8:45 am]
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