Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-76A, S-76B, and S-76C Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 96 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27449-27450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12336]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-05-AD; Amendment 39-12232; AD 2001-10-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-
76A, S-76B, and S-76C Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-
76A, S-76B, and S-76C helicopters and currently requires, before 
further flight, performing a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of 
the main rotor shaft assembly (shaft). Also, a recurring FPI and visual 
inspection for a cracked shaft are required by that AD. That AD also 
requires replacing the shaft with an airworthy shaft before further 
flight if a crack is found. This amendment requires replacing certain 
serial numbered shafts with an airworthy shaft before further flight. 
This amendment is prompted by further investigation and a determination 
that the inspections can be safely eliminated if certain serial-
numbered shafts are removed from service before further flight. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the 
shaft and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 21, 2001.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 2000-23-52, 
Amendment 39-12095 (66 FR 8507, February 1, 2001), which applies to 
Sikorsky Model S-76A, S-76B, and S-76C helicopters, was published in 
the Federal Register on March 15, 2001 (66 FR 15062). That action 
proposed to require, before further flight, replacing each shaft, part 
number 76351-09030--all dash numbers, serial number B015-00700 through 
B015-00706, with an airworthy shaft.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No

[[Page 27450]]

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 3 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this AD, that it would take approximately 5 work hours per 
helicopter to replace the shafts, and that the average labor rate is 
$60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $19,000 per 
helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $57,900.
    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 FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-12095 (66 FR 
8507, February 1, 2001), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), Amendment 39-12232, to read as follows:

AD 2001-10-06  Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-12232. 
Docket No. 2001-SW-05-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-23-52, Amendment 39-
12095, Docket No. 2000-SW-61-AD.

    Applicability: Model S-76A, S-76B, and S-76C helicopters with 
main rotor shaft assembly (shaft), part number 76351-09030-all dash 
numbers, 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 before further flight, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the shaft and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter:
    (a) Replace each affected shaft, serial number B015-00700 
through B015-00706, with an airworthy shaft.

    Note 2: Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-66-32A (319A), 
Revision A, dated January 17, 2001, 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, Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), 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 ACO.

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

    (c) 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.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on June 21, 2001.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 10, 2001.
Larry M. Kelly,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-12336 Filed 5-16-01; 8:45 am]
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