Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68058-68060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27050]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1182; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-062-AD; 
Amendment 39-17251; AD 2012-22-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing Emergency airworthiness 
directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-70, 
S-70A, S-70C, S-70C(M), and S-70C(M1) helicopters with a certain part-
numbered intermediate gearbox (IGB). The existing Emergency AD requires 
a one-time inspection of the internal oil passages of the IGB for an 
obstruction. That Emergency AD was prompted by an accident that 
resulted from blockage of oil in the IGB by a plug that was 
inadvertently left in the IGB during the coating of the IGB housing. We 
are issuing this supersedure to that Emergency AD to include two 
additional part numbers of affected IGBs and identify a specific date 
since new or overhaul of the affected IGBs. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect a plug in the IGB and prevent 
overheating and seizing of the IGB, failure of the tail rotor drive 
output shaft, loss of tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 30, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of November 30, 
2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by January 14, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5

[[Page 68059]]

p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    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, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Sikorsky 
Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical Support, 
mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06614; telephone (800) 
562-4409; email [email protected]; or at http://www.sikorsky.com. 
You may review the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Davison, Flight Test Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7156; fax (781) 238-
7170; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we 
invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written 
comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the 
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, explain the reason for any recommended change, and 
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain 
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written 
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should 
submit them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that 
we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public 
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the 
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may 
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

Discussion

    On October 13, 2011, we issued Emergency AD 2011-22-51, which was 
made immediately effective to all known U.S. owners and operators of 
Sikorsky Model S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S 70C(M), and S-70C(M1) helicopters. 
That Emergency AD requires a one-time inspection for any obstruction of 
the internal oil passages of the IGB, part number (P/N) 70357-06300-
044, with 100 or less hours time-in-service since new or overhaul. If 
there is an obstruction in an oil passage, the Emergency AD requires 
replacing the IGB with an airworthy IGB before further flight. That 
action was prompted by an accident involving a Model MH-60R helicopter 
in which the IGB output shaft failed and the tail rotor drive was lost 
after the IGB overheated and seized up. The output shaft failed because 
a protective plug, which was installed in an oil passage of the IGB to 
protect the oil passage during coating of the IGB housing as part of 
the manufacturing process, was inadvertently left in the IGB and 
blocked the internal oil passages of the IGB. The IGBs for Model MH-60R 
helicopters are manufactured and overhauled in the same facility as 
IGBs for Model S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S-70C(M), and S-70C(M1) helicopters.

Actions Since Existing Emergency AD Was Issued

    Since we issued Emergency AD 2011-22-51, we discovered we 
inadvertently omitted two P/Ns and a specific date since new or 
overhaul of the affected IGBs in the emergency AD. Emergency AD 2011-
22-51 is applicable to Model S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S-70C(M), and S-
70C(M1) helicopters with an IGB, P/N 70357-06300-044, with 100 or less 
hours time-in-service (TIS) since new or overhaul. In issuing this 
superseding AD, we are requiring the same actions, but revising the 
applicability to include IGB P/Ns 70357-06300-042 and 70357-06300-043, 
in addition to IGB P/N 70357-06300-044. We are also adding a specific 
date, so that the applicability only includes those IGBs that had 100 
or less hours time-in-service since new or overhaul on October 11, 
2011.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we reviewed the relevant information 
and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist 
or develop in other products of these same type designs.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service Bulletin 
No. 70-06-29A, dated October 11, 2011 (ASB). The ASB specifies:
    <bullet> A one-time borescope inspection of the lubrication 
passages from the oil scupper to the input and output housing.
    <bullet> Disassembling the IGB for inspection as an alternative to 
the borescope inspection.
    <bullet> Adding an ``A'' suffix to the serial number of any IGB 
that has been inspected.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, before further flight, borescope inspecting the 
IGB for any obstruction in the oil passages. As an alternative to the 
borescope inspection, this AD allows disassembling the IGB and 
inspecting the oil passages for any obstruction. If there is any 
obstruction in any oil passage, replace the IGB with an airworthy IGB 
before further flight. These actions must be accomplished in accordance 
with specified portions of the ASB described previously.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    This AD does not apply to the Model H-60 helicopter as it does not 
have a U.S. type certificate. This AD does not require returning any 
parts to Sikorsky nor does it require marking the IGB after inspection.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 9 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. It will take about 2 work-hours to 
perform a borescope inspection at an average labor rate of $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the 
inspection on U.S. operators to be $1,530 or $170 per helicopter. If 
any obstruction is found in any oil passage, we estimate that it will 
take about 3 work-hours to replace the IGB and required parts will cost 
about $21,283, for a total cost of $21,538 per helicopter.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the 
required corrective actions must be accomplished before further flight. 
Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior public comment 
are impracticable and contrary

[[Page 68060]]

to the public interest and that good cause exists for making this 
amendment effective in less than 30 days.

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

    We determined that 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, 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):

2012-22-14 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-17251; Docket 
No. FAA-2012-1182; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-062-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) 
Model S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S-70C(M), and S-70C(M1) helicopters with 
an intermediate gearbox (IGB), part number 70357-06300-042, 70357-
06300-043, or 70357-06300-044, with 100 or less hours time-in-
service since new or overhaul of the IGB on October 11, 2011, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as blockage of the internal 
oil passages of the IGB by a protective plug, that could result in 
overheating and seizing of the IGB, failure of the tail rotor drive 
output shaft, loss of tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

(c) Other Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes Emergency AD No. 2011-22-51, Directorate ID 
2011-SW-056-AD, dated October 13, 2011.

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective November 30, 2012.

(e) 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.

(f) Required Actions

    Before further flight:
    (1) Borescope inspect the IGB for any obstruction in the oil 
passages. Borescope inspect in accordance with the following 
portions of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 70-06-29A, dated 
October 11, 2011 (ASB), except this AD does not require returning 
any parts to ``depot'' or Sikorsky:
    (i) The Accomplishment Instructions, Section 3., paragraphs 
A.(1) through A.(3)(a);
    (ii) Equipment and Materials and Inspection sections of Appendix 
I; and
    (iii) Figures 1 through 10 of Appendix I.
    (2) As an alternative to the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD, disassemble the IGB and inspect the oil passages for any 
obstruction. Removing any obstruction from the IGB does not make it 
airworthy.
    (3) If there is any obstruction in any oil passage, replace the 
IGB with an airworthy IGB before further flight.

(g) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Mike Davison, 
Flight Test Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 
238-7156; fax (781) 238-7170; 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.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6520, Tail Rotor 
Gearbox.

(j) 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 Aircraft Corporation Alert Service Bulletin No. 70-
06-29A, dated October 11, 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 
06614; telephone (800) 562-4409; email [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. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may also 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, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-27050 Filed 11-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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