[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69571-69573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28313]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2015-1008; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-064-AD;
Amendment 39-18317; AD 2015-23-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Schweizer Aircraft Corporation)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B,
269C, 269C-1, 269D, and TH-55A helicopters. This AD requires
repetitively inspecting and lubricating the tail rotor (T/R) driveshaft
splined fittings. This AD was prompted by a report that the T/R
driveshaft can disconnect due to deterioration of the splined coupling.
The actions are intended to detect and prevent excessive wear of the
splined coupling, which could lead to failure of the T/R driveshaft and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective December 15, 2015.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of December 15,
2015.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Engineering, 124 Quarry
Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-416-4299;
email [email protected]. You may review a copy of the referenced
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX
76177.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1008; 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, any incorporated-by-reference service information,
the economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information.
The street address for the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations Office,
M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Kowalski, Aviation Safety
Engineer, New York Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
telephone (516) 228-7327; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On April 22, 2015, at 80 FR 22436, the Federal Register published
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Sikorsky Model 269A,
269A-1, 269B, 269C, 269C-1, 269D, and TH-55A helicopters. The NPRM
proposed to require, within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), a one-time
inspection and lubrication of the T/R driveshaft splined fittings and
replacing a splined fitting and the T/R driveshaft if the fitting has
excessive wear. If the helicopter has a T/R driveshaft grease fitting
installed, the NPRM also proposed to require inspecting each grease
fitting for certain conditions and replacing the grease fitting if
necessary. The NPRM also proposed to require, at intervals not
exceeding 100 hours TIS, inspecting the T/R driveshaft for
straightness, twists, and scratches; inspecting each forward and aft T/
R driveshaft splines for wear; and correcting the torque of each main
transmission aft pinion nut. The proposed requirements were prompted
[[Page 69572]]
by a report of excessive spline wear on the forward and aft T/R
driveshaft spined fittings. The proposed requirements were intended to
prevent failure of the T/R driveshaft and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
Since the NPRM was issued, the FAA Southwest Regional Office has
relocated. We have revised the contact information throughout this
Final Rule to reflect the new address.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (80 FR 22436,
April 22, 2015).
FAA's Determination
We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
products of these same type designs and that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Sikorsky 269 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) B-299.1 for
Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, and TH-55A helicopters; 269C-1 ASB C1B-
036.1 for Model 269C-1 helicopters; and 269D ASB DB-041.1 for Model
269D helicopters, each Revision 1 and dated February 24, 2012. Each ASB
describes procedures for cleaning, inspecting, and lubricating the
forward and aft T/R driveshaft splined fittings and returning to
Sikorsky any parts that exceed wear limits. Each ASB also requires
implementing a 100-hour TIS recurring inspection of the T/R driveshaft,
coupling and internal stop, coupling drive splines, and the pinion nut
by following the procedures in each model helicopter's Handbook of
Maintenance Instructions. This service information 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 of this AD.
Differences Between This AD and the Service Information
The Sikorsky ASBs require returning any splined fittings that
exceed wear limits to Sikorsky, while this AD requires replacing those
fittings and the T/R driveshaft.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 1,085 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in
order to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per work-
hour, inspecting and lubricating the T/R driveshaft splined fittings
requires 1.8 hours, for a cost per helicopter of $153 and a total cost
of $166,005 for the fleet. Inspecting the grease fittings requires 0.25
hour, for a cost of $21 per helicopter and a total cost of $22,785 for
the fleet. Inspecting the driveshaft, fittings, internal stops, and
drive spines requires 1.8 hours, for a cost per helicopter of $153 and
a total cost of $166,005 for the fleet, per inspection cycle.
If required, replacing the T/R driving spline and driveshaft
requires 1.6 work-hours, and required parts will cost about $14,853,
for a cost per helicopter of $14,989.
If required, replacing a T/R driven spline and driveshaft requires
1.5 work-hours, and required parts will cost about $14,836, for a cost
per helicopter of $14,964.
If required, replacing a grease fitting requires about 0.25 work-
hour, and required parts will cost about $5, for a cost per helicopter
of $26.
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
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) 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):
2015-23-01 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Schweizer Aircraft Corporation) Helicopters:
Amendment 39-18317; Docket No. FAA-2015-1008; Directorate Identifier
2013-SW-064-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky)
Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, 269C-1, 269D, and TH-55A
helicopters, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as insufficient lubrication
of a tail rotor (T/R) driveshaft splined fitting. This condition
could result in excessive wear of the T/R driveshaft splines, which
could lead to failure of the T/R driveshaft and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective December 15, 2015.
(d) 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.
(e) Required Actions
(1)Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS):
(i) Inspect each T/R driveshaft splined fitting for a crack, a
break, excessive wear,
[[Page 69573]]
galling, spalling, chipping, corrosion, heat discoloration, and
distortion by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs
3.B.(1) through 3.B.(2), of Sikorsky 269 Alert Service Bulletin
(ASB) B-299.1 for Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, and TH-55A
helicopters; 269C-1 ASB C1B-036.1 for Model 269C-1 helicopters; or
269D ASB DB-041.1 for Model 269D helicopters, each Revision 1 and
dated February 24, 2012. If there is a crack, a break, excessive
wear, galling, spalling, chipping, corrosion, heat discoloration, or
distortion on any T/R driveshaft splined fitting, before further
flight, replace the affected splined fitting and the T/R driveshaft.
(ii) If installed, inspect each T/R driveshaft grease fitting
for looseness, presence of a check ball inside each fitting, and for
proper operation and seating of each check ball. If any grease
fitting is loose, missing a check ball, fails to properly operate,
or if a check ball fails to seat, before further flight, replace the
grease fitting.
(iii) Lubricate each driveshaft fitting by following the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.(6), of Sikorsky 269 ASB
B-299.1 for Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, and TH-55A helicopters;
269C-1 ASB C1B-036.1 for Model 269C-1 helicopters; or 269D ASB DB-
041.1 for Model 269D helicopters, each Revision 1 and dated February
24, 2012.
(2) Within 100 hours TIS after the inspections required by
paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not
exceeding 100 hours TIS:
(i) Remove the driveshaft from the gearbox and clean any grease
from each end fitting.
(ii) Inspect the driveshaft for straightness, a twist, and a
scratch. If the driveshaft has any bends, twists, or scratches,
before further flight, replace the driveshaft.
(iii) Inspect the internal splines of each forward and aft
fitting and each internal stop for wear. If there is any wear,
before further flight, replace the fitting.
(iv) Inspect the drive splines of each splined drive fitting for
wear. If there is any wear, before further flight, replace the
splined drive fitting.
(v) Loosen the aft frame clamp and apply a torque of 750 to
1,000 inch-pounds to each main transmission aft pinion nut.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Stephen
Kowalski, Aviation Safety Engineer, New York Aircraft Certification
Office, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-7327; 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) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6500, Tail Rotor
Drive.
(h) 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 269 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) B-299.1, Revision
1, dated February 24, 2012.
(ii) Sikorsky 269C-1 ASB C1B-036.1, Revision 1, dated February
24, 2012.
(iii) Sikorsky 269D ASB DB-041.1, Revision 1, dated February 24,
2012.
(3) For Sikorsky service information identified in this AD,
contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Engineering,
124 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or
203-416-4299; email [email protected].
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may 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, 2015.
James A. Grigg,
Acting Assistant Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-28313 Filed 11-9-15; 8:45 am]
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