Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 28, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56165-56167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25558]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0491; Product Identifier 2016-SW-020-AD; Amendment 
39-19031; AD 2017-19-01]
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 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-76A, S-76B, S-76C, and 
S-76D helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the main rotor (M/R) 
servo pushrod (pushrod) assembly and applying slippage marks. This AD 
was prompted by an accident of a Sikorsky Model S-76C helicopter caused 
by a failed pushrod assembly. The actions of this AD are intended to 
prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 2, 2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Engineering, 
124 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-

[[Page 56166]]

Winged-S or 203-416-4299; email: [email protected]. 
You may review a copy of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, 
Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0491; 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 
(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: Blaine Williams, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 1200 District 
Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-7161; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On June 5, 2017, at 82 FR 25748, the Federal Register published our 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Model S-76A, S-76B, S-76C, 
and S-76D helicopters, serial numbers up to and including 761075, with 
an M/R pushrod assembly part number (P/N) 76400-00034-059, 76400-00014-
074, 76400-00014-076, or 76400-00014-077 installed. The NPRM proposed 
to require inspecting each pushrod assembly and applying two slippage 
marks across each control rod and jamnut. Depending on the outcome of 
the inspection, the NPRM proposed to require replacing the pushrod 
assembly or inspecting the jamnut. Depending on the outcome of 
inspecting the jamnut, the NPRM proposed to require replacing the 
pushrod assembly or applying 140 inch-pounds of torque to the jamnut. 
The proposed requirements were intended to detect a loose jamnut and 
prevent failure of the pushrod assembly, loss of M/R flight control, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    Since the NPRM was issued, the FAA's Aircraft Certification Service 
has changed its organizational structure. The new structure replaces 
product directorates with functional divisions. We have revised some of 
the office titles and nomenclature throughout this Final rule to 
reflect the new organizational changes. Additional information about 
the new structure can be found in the Notice published on July 25, 2017 
(82 FR 34564).

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM.

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

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Sikorksy S-76 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 76-67-
58, Basic Issue, dated November 19, 2015 (ASB), which specifies a one-
time inspection of the M/R forward, aft, and lateral pushrod assemblies 
and jamnuts for proper installation, condition, and security. If a 
pushrod or jamnut does not meet criteria specified in the inspections, 
the ASB specifies replacing the assembly. The ASB also specifies 
applying torque to each jamnut and applying two slippage marks across 
each control rod and jamnut.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    The Sikorsky ASB specifies returning any removed M/R pushrod 
assembly to Sikorsky. This AD does not require returning any parts to 
Sikorsky.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 198 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. 
Inspecting the M/R pushrod assemblies takes about 2.2 work-hours for an 
estimated cost of $187 per helicopter and $37,026 for the U.S. fleet. 
Replacing an M/R pushrod assembly takes about 2 work-hours for a labor 
cost of $170. Parts to replace M/R pushrod assembly P/N 76400-00034-059 
cost about $2,411 for a total estimated replacement cost of $2,581. 
Parts to replace M/R pushrod assembly P/N 76400-00014-074 cost about 
$2,224 for a total estimated replacement cost of $2,394. Parts to 
replace M/R pushrod assembly P/N 76400-00014-076 cost about $2,488 for 
a total estimated replacement cost of $2,658. Parts to replace M/R 
pushrod assembly P/N 76400-00014-077 cost about $2,414 for a total 
estimated replacement cost of $2,584. It takes a minimal amount of time 
to apply the slippage marks for a negligible cost.

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;
    (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.

[[Page 56167]]

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):

2017-19-01 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-19031; Docket 
No. FAA-2017-0491; Product Identifier 2016-SW-020-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model S-76A, S-76B, S-76C, and S-76D 
helicopters, serial numbers up to and including 761075, with a main 
rotor (M/R) servo pushrod (pushrod) assembly part number (P/N) 
76400-00034-059, 76400-00014-074, 76400-00014-076, or 76400-00014-
077 installed, certificated in any category.

    Note 1 to paragraph (a) of this AD: M/R pushrod P/N 76400-00034-
059 is included in the Applicability section of AD 2015-19-51, 
Amendment 39-18300 (80 FR 65128, October 26, 2015). This AD does not 
affect AD 2015-19-51.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a loose jamnut. This 
condition could result in failure of a pushrod assembly, loss of M/R 
flight control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective January 2, 2018.

(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 Actions

    Within 300 hours time-in-service:
    (1) Inspect the control rod of each pushrod assembly (control 
rod) to determine whether 0.020 inch diameter lockwire can pass 
through the inspection hole.
    (i) If the lockwire passes through the inspection hole, before 
further flight, replace the pushrod assembly.
    (ii) If the lockwire does not pass through the inspection hole, 
inspect the jamnut to determine whether it is seated against the 
control rod and whether it can be turned with finger pressure.
    (A) If the jamnut is not seated against the control rod or can 
be turned with finger pressure, before further flight, replace the 
pushrod assembly.
    (B) If the jamnut is seated against the control rod and cannot 
be turned with finger pressure, using a pushrod tool, apply 140 
inch-pounds of torque to the jamnut.
    (2) Apply two slippage marks across each control rod and jamnut 
as follows:
    (i) Clean the area where a slippage mark is to be applied.
    (ii) Apply two slippage marks across the control rod and jamnut, 
parallel and on opposite sides of each other. Each slippage mark 
must extend at least 0.5 inch onto the control rod and must not 
cover the inspection hole. Figure 1 (Sheet 2) of Sikorsky S-76 
Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 76-67-58, Basic Issue, dated 
November 19, 2015, illustrates a slippage mark across a control rod 
and jamnut.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Send your proposal to: Blaine Williams, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 
238-7161; 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) Additional Information

    Sikorksy S-76 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 76-67-58, Basic 
Issue, dated November 19, 2015, which is not incorporated by 
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Sikorsky 
Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Engineering, 124 Quarry Road, 
Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-416-4299; email: 
[email protected]. You may review a copy of this 
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 
76177.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700, Rotorcraft 
Flight Control.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 17, 2017.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-25558 Filed 11-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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