[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11174-11176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4477]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0099; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-085-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-
76A, S-76B, and S-76C Helicopters Modified by Supplemental Type
Certificate SR09211RC
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) S-76 model helicopters with a
certain life raft deployment system (LRDS) installed per Supplemental
Type Certificate (STC) SR09211RC. This proposed AD would require
removing and replacing the pilot or co-pilot life raft deployment
handle (handle) located on the left side of the ``broom closet'' of the
helicopter. This proposed AD is prompted by an incident that occurred
where the handle bent prior to the life raft deploying, and this
prohibited the crew from successfully deploying and using the life
raft. It was determined that the handle in this incident was not
manufactured to the approved Type Design. We are proposing this AD to
prevent the bending of the handle, which could result in failure of the
life raft to deploy. This failure could lead to loss of access to the
life raft after an emergency ditching on water.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 2, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
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 proposed AD
from Aero Seats and Systems, Inc., 340 Thomas Place, Everman, Texas
76140, telephone (817) 551-0818, fax (817) 551-0838, e-mail
[email protected].
You may examine the comments to this proposed AD in the AD docket
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin Crane, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5170,
fax (817) 222-5783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0099,
Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-085-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
[[Page 11175]]
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 we
receive concerning this proposed 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 or signed 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).
Examining the Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the proposed AD, any
comments, and other information 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.
Discussion
We propose to adopt a new AD for the Sikorsky S-76A, S-76B, and S-
76C model helicopters with an Aero Seats and Systems, Inc. (ASI) ASI-
500 LRDS installed per STC SR09211RC. This proposed AD would require
removing and replacing the handle located on the left side of the broom
closet. This proposed AD is prompted by an incident that occurred in
the United Kingdom (UK), and was reported under the UK Civil Aviation
Authority's Mandatory Occurrence Reporting System (MOR ref 200800658).
Investigation of this incident determined that the handle bent prior to
the life raft deploying, and this prohibited the crew from successfully
deploying and using the life raft. It was determined that the installed
handle was not manufactured to the approved Type Design, resulting in
the handle being under-strength for its intended purpose. The installed
handle was a tube handle welded to a machined cam. This condition, if
not corrected, could result in failure of the life raft to deploy,
which could lead to loss of access to the life raft after an emergency
ditching on water.
We have reviewed ASI's Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-500-02,
Revision C, dated September 16, 2010 (ASB), which describes procedures
for removing the handle (tube handle welded to a machined cam), part
number (P/N) ASI-700-45, and replacing it with the handle assembly, P/N
ASI-700-49A, which is a one piece machined handle and cam, designed to
provide more strength.
We are proposing this AD because we have evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of the same type
design. Therefore, this proposed AD would require the following actions
within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), unless previously
accomplished:
Install the safety pins, P/N ASI-625-14, to lock out the
raft deployment pods.
Remove the pad, P/N BA7601.
Remove the top cover, P/N ASI-700-73.
Remove the cotter pin, P/N AN381-2-8, from the clevis pin,
P/N MS 20392-2C9, located at the crew release handle assembly.
Remove the washer, P/N AN960-10L, and clevis pin from the
cable, P/N 2604750-90.
Disconnect the cable from the handle, P/N ASI-700-45, and
secure the cable to the broom closet to prevent it from falling into
the lower cover.
Remove the handle by removing the bolt, P/N AN4-11; nut,
P/N MS20364-428A; and washers, P/N AN960-416L, from the raft deployment
handle assembly (handle assembly), P/N ASI-700-41A.
Remove the safety pin, P/N ASI-700-80.
Remove and discard any ball bearings, and clean all
surfaces of the remaining handle assembly.
Install the handle, P/N ASI-700-49A.
Reinstall the bolt, nut, and washers, P/N AN960-416L, and
install the washer, P/N ASI-700-44, between the handle and the mount,
P/N ASI-700-43, on the left side of the broom closet, and torque to 20
in-lb maximum.
Reinstall the safety pin.
Release the cable from the broom closet.
Reinstall the cable to the handle with the clevis pin.
Reinstall the washer, P/N AN960-10L, and the cotter pin on
to the clevis pin.
Reinstall the top cover.
Reinstall the pad.
Remove the raft deployment pod lock out safety pins.
These proposed actions are intended to prevent the handle from
bending during raft deployment, which could lead to loss of access to
the life raft after an emergency ditching on water.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and Service Information
This proposed AD differs from the manufacturer's service bulletin
by requiring compliance to the actions specified in this AD within 100
hours TIS, unless accomplished previously. The manufacturer's service
bulletin states that compliance must occur immediately upon receipt of
a new design handle.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 65 helicopters on
the U.S. registry. We estimate it will take about 4 work-hours per
helicopter to accomplish the proposed requirements. The average labor
rate is $85 per work-hour. In addition, we estimate the cost of the
required parts to be $1,500 per helicopter. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of the proposed AD to be approximately $1,840 per
helicopter and $119,600 total cost for U.S. operators.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. Additionally, this proposed
AD would 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 proposed
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 a draft economic evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the AD docket to examine the draft
economic evaluation.
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
[[Page 11176]]
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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2011-0099; Directorate
Identifier 2010-SW-085-AD.
Applicability: S-76A, S-76B, and S-76C model helicopters with
Aero Seats and Systems, Inc. (ASI) ASI-500 Life Raft Deployment
System (LRDS) installed per FAA Supplemental Type Certificate
SR09211RC, pilot or co-pilot life raft deployment handle (handle),
part number (P/N) ASI-700-45, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required within 100 hours time-in-service, unless
accomplished previously.
To prevent the bending of the handle, which could result in
failure of the life raft to deploy, resulting in the loss of access
to the life raft after an emergency ditching on water, accomplish
the following:
(a) Install the safety pins, P/N ASI-625-14, to lock out the
raft deployment pods.
(b) Remove the pad, P/N BA7601.
(c) Remove the top cover, P/N ASI-700-73.
(d) Remove the cotter pin, P/N AN381-2-8, from the clevis pin,
P/N MS 20392-2C9, located at the crew release handle assembly.
(e) Remove the washer, P/N AN960-10L, and clevis pin from the
cable, P/N 2604750-90.
(f) Disconnect the cable from the handle, and secure the cable
to the broom closet to prevent it from falling into the lower cover.
(g) Remove the handle by removing the bolt, P/N AN4-11, nut, P/N
MS20364-428A, and washers, P/N AN960-416L, from the raft deployment
handle assembly (handle assembly), P/N ASI-700-41A.
(h) Remove the safety pin, P/N ASI-700-80.
(i) Remove and discard any ball bearings, and clean all surfaces
of the remaining handle assembly.
(j) Install the handle, P/N ASI-700-49A.
(k) Reinstall the bolt, nut, and washers, P/N AN960-416L, and
install the washer, P/N ASI-700-44, between the handle and the
mount, P/N ASI-700-43, on the left side of the broom closet, and
torque to 20 in-lb maximum.
(l) Reinstall the safety pin.
(m) Release the cable from the broom closet.
(n) Reinstall the cable to the handle with the clevis pin.
(o) Reinstall the washer, P/N AN960-10L, and the cotter pin on
to the clevis pin.
(p) Reinstall the top cover.
(q) Reinstall the pad.
(r) Remove the raft deployment pod lock out safety pins.
Note: Aero Seats and Systems, Inc., Alert Service Bulletin No.
76-500-02, Revision C, dated September 16, 2010, which is not
incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the
subject of this airworthiness directive.
(s) 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, Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, Attn:
Martin Crane, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Rotorcraft Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth,
Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5170, fax (817) 222-5783, e-mail
[email protected] for information about previously approved
alternative methods of compliance.
(t) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code 2564: is:
Life raft.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 27, 2011.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-4477 Filed 2-28-11; 8:45 am]
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