Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68057-68058]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27049]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0340; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-073-AD; 
Amendment 39-17250; AD 2012-22-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-76C helicopters. This 
AD requires installing an improved throttle stop and a wider trigger on 
the engine control levers (ECL). This AD was prompted by a bird-strike 
to the windshield that resulted in unintended movement of the engine 
control levers from the forward position and towards the flight-idle 
position, which reduced power on both engines. These actions are 
intended to prevent unintended movement of the ECLs, resulting in main 
rotor speed decay and subsequent loss of control of the aircraft.

DATES: This AD is effective December 20, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of December 20, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical 
Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT, telephone 
(203) 383-4866, email address [email protected], or at http://www.sikorsky.com. You may review a copy of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
    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 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: Kirk Gustafson, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
telephone (781) 238-7190; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On March 29, 2012, at 77 FR 18969, the Federal Register published 
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to Sikorsky Model S-76C 
helicopters with serial numbers 760506 and 760607 through 760812. That 
NPRM proposed to require within 6 months after the effective date of 
the AD, installing an improved throttle stop and a wider trigger on 
each ECL as specified in Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 76-
76-6A, Revision A, dated May 18, 2011.
    The proposed requirements were intended to prevent unintended in-
flight movement of the ECLs from the normal ``FLY'' position towards 
the ``IDLE'' position, which significantly reduces engine power, 
resulting in an unrecoverable loss of main rotor speed and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

Comments

    Two commenters, one anonymous and one from the National 
Transportation Safety Board, commented that they support the NPRM (77 
FR 18969, March 29, 2012).

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 the same type design and that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed ASB 76-76-6A, which describes procedures for partially 
disassembling the engine control quadrant assembly, removing the 
existing throttle stop, and installing a new airworthy throttle stop. 
The ASB also describes procedures to remove the existing trigger 
assembly from each ECL and install a new airworthy wide trigger 
assembly.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 52 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. To replace the engine control lever stop 
and trigger assemblies will require 2 work-hours at an average labor 
cost of $85 per hour. Required parts will cost about $939. Based upon 
these costs, we estimate a total cost of $1,109 per helicopter and a 
total cost of $57,668 for the entire U.S. operator fleet.

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;

[[Page 68058]]

    (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):

2012-22-13 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-17250; Docket 
No. FAA-2012-0340; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-073-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) 
Model S-76C helicopters, serial numbers 760506 and 760607 through 
760812, certificated in any category.

 (b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as unintended movement of 
the engine control levers due to an external force to the windshield 
or canopy. This condition could result in significantly reduced 
engine power, unrecoverable loss of main rotor speed, and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective December 20, 2012.

(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 Action

    Within 6 months, replace the throttle stop and trigger assembly 
on each engine control lever and perform a throttle position check 
as specified in the Accomplishment Instructions, Sections 3.A and 
3.B, of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-76-6A Revision A, 
dated May 18, 2011.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Kirk Gustafson, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 
Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7190; 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: 7600: Engine 
Controls.

(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 Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-76-6A Revision A, 
dated May 18, 2011.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Sikorsky service information identified in this AD, 
contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial 
Technical Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT, 
telephone (203) 383-4866, email address [email protected], or 
at http://www.sikorsky.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
    (5) You may also view this service information 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, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-27049 Filed 11-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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