[Federal Register: February 27, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 39)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8994-8996]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27fe03-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-SW-06-AD; Amendment 39-13064; AD 2003-04-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-
76A, B, and C 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
the specified Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) model
helicopters. This action requires determining the manufacturer of a
certain part-numbered rotor brake disc (RBD) and if the manufacturer is
Parker Hannifin Corporation (PHC), re-identifying the RBD as
appropriate. This action also requires before the first flight of the
next day following any day in which a certain RBD was used, visually
inspecting the RBD for a crack. If a crack is found, this AD also
requires replacing the RBD with an airworthy RBD or deactivating it as
applicable depending on the nature of the crack. This amendment is
prompted by the discovery that certain RBDs manufactured by PHC were
improperly heat treated resulting in ``soft'' RBDs that have an
increased wear rate compared to those heat treated in accordance with
the type design requirement. Further investigation reveals that
``soft'' RBDs develop cracks more frequently than previously
manufactured RBDs. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
prevent failure of the RBD, damage to the rotor blades and nearby
hydraulic and fuel lines, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
DATES: Effective February 27, 2003.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before April 28, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-SW-06-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. You may also send comments electronically
to the Rules Docket at the following address: 9-asw-adcomments@faa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Fahr, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7155, fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This amendment adopts a new AD for the
specified Sikorsky model helicopters. This amendment is prompted by the
discovery that a certain part-numbered RBD manufactured by PHC was
improperly heat treated resulting in ``soft'' RBDs that have an
increased wear rate compared to those heat treated in accordance with
the type design requirement. Further investigation reveals that
``soft'' RBDs develop cracks more frequently than previously
manufactured RBDs. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
prevent failure of the RBD, damage to the rotor blades and nearby
hydraulic and fuel lines, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
The FAA has reviewed Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) Nos. 76-
66-36, dated November 12, 2002, and 76-66-37, dated January 31, 2003.
ASB No. 76-66-36 describes a one-time visual inspection of the RBD to
determine the manufacturer and to reidentify the RBD if necessary. ASB
No. 76-66-36 also specifies an initial and recurring inspection for
certain reidentified RBDs. ASB No. 76-66-37 specifies removing certain
RBDs from service and provides interim instructions for operating the
helicopter until a replacement RBD is installed.
This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters of these same type designs. Therefore, this AD is being
issued to prevent failure of the RBD, damage to the rotor blades and
nearby hydraulic and fuel lines, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter. This AD requires the following:
[sbull] Before further flight, determine the manufacturer of each
RBD by examining the part number (P/N) markings. This AD requires no
further action if the manufacturer is BF Goodrich or Goodyear.
[sbull] If the RBD is manufactured by PHC, reidentify it with a P/N
76363-09103-104 or -105, as applicable, depending on the serial number
of the RBD. If you cannot determine the PHC RBD serial number or the
manufacturer, reidentify the RBD with P/N 76363-09103-104.
[sbull] Before the first flight of the next day following any day
in which the RBD was used, visually inspect each RBD, P/N 76363-09103-
104, for a crack.
[sbull] If you find a crack through the entire RBD thickness or two
or more surface cracks between adjacent boltholes, replace the RBD with
an airworthy RBD before further flight. If you find a surface crack or
surface cracks separated by the boltholes, replace the RBD with an
airworthy RBD or deactivate it before further flight.
[sbull] Replace PHC RBD, P/N 76363-09103-104, with an airworthy RBD
on or before May 31, 2003, or within 60 days after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs later.
[sbull] Replacement RBD, P/N 76363-09103-104, is not airworthy.
The short compliance time involved is required because the
previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the
controllability of the helicopter. Therefore determining the
manufacturer, reidentifying the RBD as specified, inspecting the RBD
for a crack, and either replacing the RBD or deactivating it is
required before further flight 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 165 helicopters will be affected by this AD,
that it will take approximately 2 work hours to determine the
manufacturer of the RBD, 1 hour to reidentify the RBD, 2 hours to
inspect the RBD, and 6 hours to replace the RBD. The average labor rate
is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,250 per
helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $315,150 per helicopter, assuming all
RBDs were
[[Page 8995]]
manufactured by PHC, are with the affected S/N range, must be remarked,
do not have sufficient cracking to warrant immediate replacement, and
the rotor brake is not used until the day prior to the day that all
RBDs are replaced.
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 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 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. 2003-SW-06-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 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 adding a new airworthiness directive
to read as follows:
2003-04-15 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-13064. Docket
No. 2003-SW-06-AD.
Applicability: Model S-76A, B, and C helicopters, 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 (d) 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 as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the rotor brake disc (RBD), damage to the
rotor blades and nearby hydraulic and fuel lines, and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Before further flight, determine the manufacturer of each
RBD by examining the part number (P/N) markings, and perform the
required actions as follows:
(1) If the P/N is 76363-09101-102, the manufacturer is Goodyear.
No further action is required by this AD.
(2) If the P/N 76363-09103-102 is pressure stamped on the RBD,
the manufacturer is BF Goodrich. No further action is required by
this AD.
(3) If the P/N 76363-09103-102 is electrolytically etched on the
RBD, the manufacturer is Parker Hannifin Corporation (PHC). For each
PHC RBD with a P/N 76363-09103-102 and serial number (S/N) other
than 38 through 379, remark the P/N as P/N 76363-09103-105 using the
vibropeen method. No further action is required by this AD.
(4) If the RBD serial number or the manufacturer cannot be
determined and for PHC RBDs with P/N 76363-09103-102 and S/N's 38
through 379, reidentify or mark the P/N as 76363-09103-104 or
replace the RBD in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD.
Note 2: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service Bulletin
(ASB) Nos. 76-66-36, dated November 12, 2002, and ASB 76-66-37,
dated January 31, 2003, pertain to the subject of this AD.
(b) Before the first flight of the next day following any day in
which the RBD was used, visually inspect each RBD, P/N 76363-09103-
104, for a crack, and perform the following actions. See Figure 1.
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR27FE03.219
(1) If you find a crack through the entire RBD thickness as
shown in Figure 1, View A, replace the RBD with an airworthy RBD,
other than P/N 76363-09103-104, before further flight.
(2) If you find two or more surface cracks between adjacent
boltholes as shown in Figure 1, View B, replace the RBD with an
airworthy RBD, other than P/N 76363-09103-104, before further
flight.
(3) If you find a surface crack or surface cracks separated by
the boltholes as shown in Figure 1, View C, replace the RBD with an
airworthy RBD, other than P/N 76363-09103-104, or deactivate the RBD
before further flight.
Note 3: Short ``glazing'' cracks are not a cause for rejection.
Note 4: PHC Component Maintenance Manual with Illustrated Parts
List PH030-21300MM, Rotor Brake Assembly, P/N 030-21300, Revision C,
dated November 1, 2002, pertains to the subject of this AD.
(c) Replace PHC RBD, P/N 76363-09103-104, with an airworthy RBD
on or before May 31, 2003, or within 60 days after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Any replacement RBD, P/N
76363-09103-104, is not airworthy.
(d) 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, 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 Aircraft Certification Office.
Note 5: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Boston Aircraft Certification Office.
(e) Special flight permits will not be issued.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on February 27, 2003.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 14, 2003.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-4474 Filed 2-26-03; 8:45 am]
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