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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 119 (Thursday, June 20, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37160-37162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14699]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0514; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-068-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
(Sikorsky) Model Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Sikorsky Model S-76A, B, and C helicopters to require certain 
inspections of each spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly 
for a crack. If there is a crack, this proposed AD would require 
replacing the cracked part. If there is no crack, this AD would require 
applying white paint to the inspection area to enhance the existing 
inspection procedure. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery of 
cracks in the spindle cuffs. The proposed actions are intended to 
prevent failure of a spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly, 
loss of a rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 19, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     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.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 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 proposed 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 proposed AD, contact 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical 
Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06614; 
telephone (800) 562-4409; email tsslibrary@sikorsky.com; or at http://www.sikorsky.com; http://www.eurocopter.com/techpub. 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: Nicholas Faust, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 
01803; telephone (781) 238-7763; email nicholas.faust@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    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 might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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

[[Page 37161]]

filed electronically, commenters should submit 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 proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    We propose to adopt a new AD for Sikorsky Model S-76A, B, and C 
helicopters. This proposed AD would require, depending on the hours 
time-in-service (TIS) of each part, either a one-time nondestructive 
inspection (NDI) or a visual inspection of each spindle cuff assembly 
or blade fold cuff assembly for a crack. If there is a crack, this 
proposed AD would require replacing the cracked part. If there is no 
crack, this proposed AD would require applying white paint to a portion 
of each spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly lower cuff 
plate to enhance the existing inspection procedure. This proposed AD is 
prompted by the discovery of five cracked spindle cuffs found during 
aircraft overhaul. The proposed actions are intended to prevent failure 
of a spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly, loss of a rotor 
blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant 
information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information

    Sikorsky issued S-76 Alert Service Bulletin ASB 76-65-67A, Revision 
A, dated July 18, 2012 (ASB), which specifies performing an NDI of the 
upper and lower cuff plate on each spindle cuff assembly or blade fold 
cuff assembly for a crack, either by eddy current, fluorescent 
penetrant, or ultrasonic inspection. If a crack indication is detected 
and not verified, the ASB specifies performing a different NDI to 
verify a crack. If there is a crack, the ASB specifies removing the 
spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly from service. If a 
crack cannot be verified, the ASB specifies contacting Sikorsky for 
further instruction. Finally, if no crack is found, the ASB specifies 
applying white paint to a portion of the spindle cuff assembly or blade 
fold cuff assembly lower cuff plate to enhance the existing inspection 
procedure.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require within 150 hours TIS:
     For each spindle cuff assembly or blade cuff assembly with 
1,900 or more hours TIS, conducting an NDI by a qualified inspector by 
following specified portions of the ASB.
     For each spindle cuff assembly or blade cuff assembly with 
less than 1,900 hours TIS, visually inspecting each white paint 
application area for a crack by using a 5x or higher power magnifying 
glass.
     If there is a crack, before further flight, replacing each 
cracked spindle cuff assembly or cracked blade fold cuff assembly with 
an airworthy assembly.
     If there is no crack, applying white paint by following 
specified portions of the ASB.
    This proposed AD also prohibits installing an affected spindle cuff 
assembly or blade cuff fold assembly on any helicopter unless it has 
been inspected in accordance with the requirements of this AD.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The ASB specifies contacting the manufacturer if suspect cracks are 
not confirmed in the spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly; 
this proposed AD would not require contacting the manufacturer. This 
proposed AD applies to spindle cuff assembly, part number (P/N) 76102-
08001-043, which was inadvertently omitted in the ASB. The manufacturer 
has stated that they will issue an ASB in the future that will also 
apply to this spindle cuff assembly. The ASB applies to spare parts; 
this proposed AD does not.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 181 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this AD, based on an average labor cost of $85 per work 
hour: It would take 2.5 work hours to do an NDI and 2 work hours to 
apply the white paint. It would cost $15 in materials for the paint for 
each helicopter. Based on these estimates, it would cost a total of 
$398 per helicopter and $72,038 for the fleet.
    If it is necessary to replace a spindle cuff assembly or a blade 
cuff assembly, it would take 2.5 work hours and an estimated parts cost 
of $54,000, for a total cost of $54,212 for each helicopter.

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. 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, I certify this 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);
    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 proposed 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 37162]]

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):

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2013-0514; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-SW-068-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model S-76A, S-76B, and S-76C helicopters 
with a serial number up to and including 760822 and with a spindle 
cuff assembly, part number (P/N) 76102-08001-043, -045 or -046, or a 
blade fold cuff assembly, P/N 76150-09601-041, installed, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in a spindle 
cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly. This condition could 
result in failure of a spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff 
assembly, loss of a rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

(c) 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.

(d) Required Actions

    Within 150 hours time-in-service (TIS):
    (1) For each spindle cuff assembly or blade cuff assembly with 
1,900 or more hours TIS, conduct a nondestructive (NDI) inspection 
by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B., of 
Sikorsky S-76 Alert Service Bulletin ASB 76-65-67A, Revision A, 
dated July 18, 2012 (ASB), except this AD does not require you to 
contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. This inspection must be done 
by a level 2 or higher technician with National Aerospace Standard 
410 or equivalent certification.
    (2) For each spindle cuff assembly or blade cuff assembly with 
less than 1,900 hours TIS, visually inspect the area indicated in 
Figure 4 of the ASB as ``white paint application area'' for a crack 
by using a 5x or higher power magnifying glass.
    (3) If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the 
cracked part.
    (4) If there is no crack, apply white paint by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.D., of the ASB.
    (5) Do not install an affected spindle cuff assembly or blade 
fold cuff assembly on any helicopter unless it has been inspected in 
accordance with paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(4) of this AD.

(e) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits will not be issued.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Nicholas Faust, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone 
(781) 238-7763; email nicholas.faust@faa.gov.
    (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

    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 tsslibrary@sikorsky.com; 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.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220 Main Rotor 
Head.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 12, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-14699 Filed 6-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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