Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-76A Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 122 (Friday, June 23, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39074-39076]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15309]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-37-AD; Amendment 39-11787; AD 2000-12-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
(Sikorsky) Model S-76A Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for

[[Page 39075]]

Sikorsky Model S-76A helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the air 
conditioning system at specified intervals until installing a soft-
start assembly retrofit kit to prevent a continuous flow of current 
through the soft-start resistor. This amendment is prompted by a report 
of overheating of the soft-start assembly. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent overheating of the air conditioning 
soft-start assembly, damage in the lower tailcone, an electrical fire, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective July 28, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 28, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial 
Tech Support, 6900 Main Street, P. O. Box 9729, Stratford, Connecticut 
06497-9129, phone (203) 386-7860, fax (203) 386-4703. This information 
may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Fahr, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7155, fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD for Sikorsky 
Model S-76A helicopters was published in the Federal Register on March 
22, 2000 (65 FR 15280). That action proposed to require inspecting the 
soft-start assembly at intervals not to exceed 25 hours time-in-service 
until installing a soft-start assembly retrofit kit on the Aero Aire 
Air Conditioning System in 120 calendar days to prevent a continuous 
flow of current through the soft-start resistor.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 9 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Aero Aire Service Bulletin No. 97002 
states that the retrofit kit will be provided at no charge. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $1,620.
    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

2000-12-09  Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-11787. 
Docket No. 99-SW-37-AD.

    Applicability: Model S-76A helicopters with Aero Aire Air 
Conditioning System, part number (P/N) S-76A-1-2, modified in 
accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate SH4680SW, certificated 
in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent overheating of the air conditioning soft-start 
control assembly, damage in the lower tailcone, a fire, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS, inspect the soft-start control 
assembly in accordance with the Accomplishment Instruction, Section 
III, of Aero Aire Corporation Service Bulletin No. 970001, Revision 
A, dated September 18, 1997, except neither contact nor return of 
the soft-start controller unit is required.
    (b) Within 120 calendar days, install a soft start assembly 
retrofit kit (kit), P/N 76SB001, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Section III, of Aero Aire Corporation 
Service Bulletin 970002, dated December 18, 1997. Installing the kit 
is terminating action for the requirements of this AD.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then 
send it to the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Boston Aircraft Certification Office.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) The inspection shall be done in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instruction, Section III, of Aero Aire Corporation 
Service Bulletin No. 970001, Revision A, dated September 18, 1997. 
The modification shall be done in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Section III, of Aero Aire Corporation Service Bulletin 
970002, dated December 18, 1997. This incorporation by reference was 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Tech 
Support, 6900

[[Page 39076]]

Main Street, P. O. Box 9729, Stratford, Connecticut 06497-9129, 
phone (203) 386-7860, fax (203) 386-4703. Copies may be inspected at 
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 28, 2000.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 8, 2000.
Larry M. Kelly,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-15309 Filed 6-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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