[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 17, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12665-12667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5294]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0242; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-27-AD;
Amendment 39-16232; AD 2010-06-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-
76C Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
the specified Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-76C
helicopters. This action requires inspecting the emergency flotation
system squib connector (flotation system connector) to determine if a
metallic foil shunt is installed. This amendment is prompted by a
discovery that a metallic foil shunt meant to prevent inadvertent
activation of a flotation system during installation was still
installed in the left-hand flotation system connector of a Model S-76C
helicopter. The actions specified in this AD are intended to determine
if a metallic foil shunt is installed in the flotation system, which
could prevent the flotation system from deploying and could prevent the
helicopter from staying afloat long enough to enable
[[Page 12666]]
emergency evacuation after a water landing.
DATES: Effective April 1, 2010.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 1, 2010.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before May 17, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this AD:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
You may get the service information identified in this AD from
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical
Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT, telephone
(203) 383-4866, e-mail address [email protected], or at http://www.sikorsky.com.
EXAMINING THE DOCKET: You may examine the docket that contains the AD,
any comments, and other information 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 Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
located in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West Building at the
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
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) 238-7170.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This amendment adopts a new AD for the
specified Sikorsky Model S-76C helicopters. This action requires a one-
time inspection of the flotation system connector to determine if a
metallic foil shunt is installed, and if one is found, removing it.
This amendment is prompted by a discovery during an inspection that a
metallic foil shunt was still installed in the left-hand flotation
system squib connector of a Model S-76C helicopter. The metallic foil
shunt is intended to prevent inadvertent activation of the flotation
system during installation. The actions specified in this AD are
intended to determine if a metallic foil shunt is installed in the
flotation system, which could prevent the flotation system from
deploying and could prevent the helicopter from staying afloat long
enough to enable emergency evacuation after a water landing.
We have reviewed Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-32-30,
dated April 8, 2009, which describes procedures for a one-time
inspection of a flotation system connector, installed by Keystone
Helicopter Corporation on Sikorsky Model S-76C helicopters, serial
numbers 760501 and 760506 through 760761, to determine if a metallic
foil shunt is installed, and if so, removing it.
This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters of the same type design. Therefore, this AD is being issued
to require inspecting the flotation system connector to determine if a
metallic foil shunt is installed, which could prevent the flotation
system from deploying and could prevent the helicopter from staying
afloat long enough to enable emergency evacuation after a water
landing. This AD requires, before the next flight over water, or on or
before 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
first, accomplishing the actions by following specified portions of the
alert service bulletin described previously.
The short compliance time involved is required because the
previously described critical unsafe condition could adversely affect
the ability of the helicopter to stay afloat after an emergency water
landing. Therefore, inspecting the flotation system connector and
removing any metallic foil shunt that is found is required before the
next flight over water, or on or before 30 days after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, 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.
We estimate that this AD will affect 76 helicopters, and inspection
and removal, if necessary, will take approximately 1 work hour to
accomplish at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour. Based on
these figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the AD on U.S.
operators to be $6,460.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0242; Directorate
Identifier 2009-SW-27-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light of
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of our
docket web site, you can find and read the comments to any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment. You
may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).
Regulatory Findings
We have 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 above, I certify that the regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply
with this AD. See the AD docket to examine the economic evaluation.
[[Page 12667]]
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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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
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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
2010-06-08 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-16232. Docket
No. FAA-2010-0242; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-27-AD.
Applicability: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-76C
helicopters, serial numbers 760501 and 760506 through 760761, with
Option Code 88051 Flotation System installed by Keystone Helicopter
Corporation, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Before the next flight over water, or within 30
days, whichever occurs first, unless accomplished previously.
To determine if a metallic foil shunt is installed in the
flotation system, which could prevent the flotation system from
deploying and could prevent the helicopter from staying afloat long
enough to enable emergency evacuation after a water landing,
accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect the flotation system connector and if a metallic
foil shunt is found, remove it in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraphs 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(9), in Sikorsky Alert
Service Bulletin No. 76-32-30, dated April 8, 2009.
(b) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Contact the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
Attn: Terry Fahr, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803, telephone (781) 238-7155, fax (781) 238-7170.
(c) The inspection shall be done in accordance with the
specified portions of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-32-30,
dated April 8, 2009. The Director of the Federal Register approved
this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical Support, mailstop
s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT, telephone (203) 383-4866, e-
mail address [email protected], or at http://www.sikorsky.com.
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas or
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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code
(d) JASC Code 3212: Emergency Flotation Systems.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 1, 2010.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 3, 2010.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-5294 Filed 3-16-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P