Airworthiness Directives; Kaman Model K-1200 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 176 (Monday, September 11, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54743-54744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23207]



[[Page 54743]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-32-AD; Amendment 39-11895; AD 2000-18-10-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Kaman Model K-1200 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Kaman Model K-1200 helicopters. This action requires replacing certain 
unairworthy sprag clutches with airworthy sprag clutches. This 
amendment is prompted by two incidents of sprag clutch failure during 
external load operations. The actions specified in this AD are intended 
to prevent a malfunctioning transmission clutch, loss of drive to the 
main rotor system, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective September 26, 2000.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before November 13, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-SW-32-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. You may also send comments electronically 
to the Rules Docket at the following address: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Gaulzetti, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7156, fax 
(781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This amendment adopts a new AD for Kaman 
Model K-1200 helicopters. This action requires replacing any sprag 
clutch, part number (P/N) K974110-005, with P/N K974110-003. This 
amendment is prompted by two incidents of sprag clutch, P/N K974110-
005, failure during external load operations. The actions specified in 
this AD are intended to prevent a malfunctioning transmission clutch. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of drive to the 
main rotor system, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    The FAA has reviewed Kaman Aerospace Corporation Service Bulletin 
No. 090, dated July 13, 2000, which describes procedures for removing 
the sprag clutch, P/N K974110-005.
    We have identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or 
develop on other Kaman Model K-1200 helicopters of the same type 
design. This AD is being issued to prevent a malfunctioning 
transmission clutch, loss of drive to the main rotor system, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This AD requires 
replacing any sprag clutch, P/N K974110-005, with P/N K974110-003. The 
short compliance time involved is required because the previously 
described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the delivery 
of power to the main rotor system of the helicopter. Therefore, 
replacing any sprag clutch, P/N K974110-005, with P/N K974110-003 is 
required within 10 hours time-in-service, and this AD must be issued 
immediately.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
    The FAA estimates that 4 helicopters will be affected by this AD, 
that it will take approximately 4 work hours to replace the sprag 
clutch, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $17,000 per helicopter. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $68,960.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their mailed 
comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket No. 2000-SW-32-AD.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.
    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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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, 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.

[[Page 54744]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

2000-18-10  Kaman Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-11895. Docket 
No. 2000-SW-32-AD.

    Applicability: Model K-1200 helicopters, with sprag clutch, part 
number (P/N) K974110-005, installed, 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 (b) 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 within 10 hours time-in-service, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent a malfunctioning transmission clutch, loss of drive 
to the main rotor system, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace each sprag clutch, P/N K974110-005, with a sprag 
clutch, P/N K974110-003. Sprag clutch, P/N K974110-005, is 
considered unairworthy.

    Note 2: Kaman Aerospace Corporation Service Bulletin No. 090, 
dated July 13, 2000, pertains to the subject of this AD.

    (b) 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, Regulations Group, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and 
then send it to the Manager, Regulations Group.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Regulations Group.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter, without an external 
load, to a location where the requirements of this AD can be 
accomplished.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on September 26, 2000.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 1, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-23207 Filed 9-8-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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