68058 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

(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. 

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 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

2012–22–13 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: 

Amendment 39–17250; Docket No. 

FAA–2012–0340; Directorate Identifier 

2011–SW–073–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft 

Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S–76C 

helicopters, serial numbers 760506 and 

760607 through 760812, certificated in any 

category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

unintended movement of the engine control 

levers due to an external force to the 

windshield or canopy. This condition could 

result in significantly reduced engine power, 

unrecoverable loss of main rotor speed, and 

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. 

(c) Effective Date 

This AD becomes effective December 20, 

2012. 

(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 Action 

Within 6 months, replace the throttle stop 

and trigger assembly on each engine control 

lever and perform a throttle position check as 

specified in the Accomplishment 

Instructions, Sections 3.A and 3.B, of 

Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 76–76– 

6A Revision A, dated May 18, 2011. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft 

Certification Office, FAA, may approve 

AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 

Kirk Gustafson, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 

Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine 

and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 

telephone (781) 238–7190; email 

kirk.gustafson@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) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 7600: Engine Controls. 

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 76– 

76–6A Revision A, dated May 18, 2011. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(3) For Sikorsky service information 

identified in this AD, contact Sikorsky 

Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, 

Commercial Technical Support, mailstop 

s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT, 

telephone (203) 383–4866, email address 

tsslibrary@sikorsky.com, or at http:// 

www.sikorsky.com. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 

Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. 

(5) You may also view this service 

information 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/ 

cfr/ibr-locations.html. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 30, 

2012. 

Kim Smith, 

Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–27049 Filed 11–14–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–1182; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–SW–062–AD; Amendment 

39–17251; AD 2012–22–14] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky 

Aircraft Corporation Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are superseding an 

existing Emergency airworthiness 

directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft 

Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S–70, S– 

70A, S–70C, S–70C(M), and S–70C(M1) 

helicopters with a certain partnumbered intermediate gearbox (IGB). 

The existing Emergency AD requires a 

one-time inspection of the internal oil 

passages of the IGB for an obstruction. 

That Emergency AD was prompted by 

an accident that resulted from blockage 

of oil in the IGB by a plug that was 

inadvertently left in the IGB during the 

coating of the IGB housing. We are 

issuing this supersedure to that 

Emergency AD to include two 

additional part numbers of affected IGBs 

and identify a specific date since new or 

overhaul of the affected IGBs. The 

actions specified by this AD are 

intended to detect a plug in the IGB and 

prevent overheating and seizing of the 

IGB, failure of the tail rotor drive output 

shaft, loss of tail rotor drive, and 

subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

November 30, 2012. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain document listed in this AD 

as of November 30, 2012. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by January 14, 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 


wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with 
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 68059 

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 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 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. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Mike Davison, Flight Test Engineer, 

Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 

FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, 

Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 

238–7156; fax (781) 238–7170; email 

michael.davison@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves 

requirements affecting flight safety, and 

we did not provide you with notice and 

an opportunity to provide your 

comments prior to it becoming effective. 

However, 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 resulted from 

adopting this AD. The most helpful 

comments reference a specific portion of 

the AD, 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 

filed electronically, commenters should 

submit them 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 

rulemaking during the comment period. 

We will consider all the comments we 

receive and may conduct additional 

rulemaking based on those comments. 

Discussion 

On October 13, 2011, we issued 

Emergency AD 2011–22–51, which was 

made immediately effective to all 

known U.S. owners and operators of 

Sikorsky Model S–70, S–70A, S–70C, S 

70C(M), and S–70C(M1) helicopters. 

That Emergency AD requires a one-time 

inspection for any obstruction of the 

internal oil passages of the IGB, part 

number (P/N) 70357–06300–044, with 

100 or less hours time-in-service since 

new or overhaul. If there is an 

obstruction in an oil passage, the 

Emergency AD requires replacing the 

IGB with an airworthy IGB before 

further flight. That action was prompted 

by an accident involving a Model MH– 

60R helicopter in which the IGB output 

shaft failed and the tail rotor drive was 

lost after the IGB overheated and seized 

up. The output shaft failed because a 

protective plug, which was installed in 

an oil passage of the IGB to protect the 

oil passage during coating of the IGB 

housing as part of the manufacturing 

process, was inadvertently left in the 

IGB and blocked the internal oil 

passages of the IGB. The IGBs for Model 

MH–60R helicopters are manufactured 

and overhauled in the same facility as 

IGBs for Model S–70, S–70A, S–70C, S– 

70C(M), and S–70C(M1) helicopters. 

Actions Since Existing Emergency AD 

Was Issued 

Since we issued Emergency AD 2011– 

22–51, we discovered we inadvertently 

omitted two P/Ns and a specific date 

since new or overhaul of the affected 

IGBs in the emergency AD. Emergency 

AD 2011–22–51 is applicable to Model 

S–70, S–70A, S–70C, S–70C(M), and S– 

70C(M1) helicopters with an IGB, P/N 

70357–06300–044, with 100 or less 

hours time-in-service (TIS) since new or 

overhaul. In issuing this superseding 

AD, we are requiring the same actions, 

but revising the applicability to include 

IGB P/Ns 70357–06300–042 and 70357– 

06300–043, in addition to IGB P/N 

70357–06300–044. We are also adding a 

specific date, so that the applicability 

only includes those IGBs that had 100 

or less hours time-in-service since new 

or overhaul on October 11, 2011. 

FAA’s Determination 

We are issuing this AD because we 

reviewed the relevant information and 

determined that an unsafe condition 

exists and is likely to exist or develop 

in other products of these same type 

designs. 

Related Service Information 

We reviewed Sikorsky Aircraft 

Corporation Alert Service Bulletin No. 

70–06–29A, dated October 11, 2011 

(ASB). The ASB specifies: 

• A one-time borescope inspection of 

the lubrication passages from the oil 

scupper to the input and output 

housing. 

• Disassembling the IGB for 

inspection as an alternative to the 

borescope inspection. 

• Adding an ‘‘A’’ suffix to the serial 

number of any IGB that has been 

inspected. 

AD Requirements 

This AD requires, before further flight, 

borescope inspecting the IGB for any 

obstruction in the oil passages. As an 

alternative to the borescope inspection, 

this AD allows disassembling the IGB 

and inspecting the oil passages for any 

obstruction. If there is any obstruction 

in any oil passage, replace the IGB with 

an airworthy IGB before further flight. 

These actions must be accomplished in 

accordance with specified portions of 

the ASB described previously. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

Service Information 

This AD does not apply to the Model 

H–60 helicopter as it does not have a 

U.S. type certificate. This AD does not 

require returning any parts to Sikorsky 

nor does it require marking the IGB after 

inspection. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 9 

helicopters of U.S. Registry. We estimate 

that operators may incur the following 

costs in order to comply with this AD. 

It will take about 2 work-hours to 

perform a borescope inspection at an 

average labor rate of $85 per work-hour. 

Based on these figures, we estimate the 

cost of the inspection on U.S. operators 

to be $1,530 or $170 per helicopter. If 

any obstruction is found in any oil 

passage, we estimate that it will take 

about 3 work-hours to replace the IGB 

and required parts will cost about 

$21,283, for a total cost of $21,538 per 

helicopter. 

FAA’s Justification and Determination 

of the Effective Date 

An unsafe condition exists that 

requires the immediate adoption of this 

AD. The FAA has found that the risk to 

the flying public justifies waiving notice 

and comment prior to adoption of this 

rule because the required corrective 

actions must be accomplished before 

further flight. Therefore, we find that 

notice and opportunity for prior public 

comment are impracticable and contrary 


wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with 
68060 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

to the public interest and that good 

cause exists for making this amendment 

effective in less than 30 days. 

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 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, 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. 

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 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

2012–22–14 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: 

Amendment 39–17251; Docket No. 

FAA–2012–1182; Directorate Identifier 

2012–SW–062–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft 

Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S–70, S–70A, 

S–70C, S–70C(M), and S–70C(M1) 

helicopters with an intermediate gearbox 

(IGB), part number 70357–06300–042, 

70357–06300–043, or 70357–06300–044, 

with 100 or less hours time-in-service since 

new or overhaul of the IGB on October 11, 

2011, certificated in any category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

blockage of the internal oil passages of the 

IGB by a protective plug, that could result in 

overheating and seizing of the IGB, failure of 

the tail rotor drive output shaft, loss of tail 

rotor drive, and subsequent loss of control of 

the helicopter. 

(c) Other Affected ADs 

This AD supersedes Emergency AD No. 

2011–22–51, Directorate ID 2011–SW–056– 

AD, dated October 13, 2011. 

(d) Effective Date 

This AD becomes effective November 30, 

2012. 

(e) 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. 

(f) Required Actions 

Before further flight: 

(1) Borescope inspect the IGB for any 

obstruction in the oil passages. Borescope 

inspect in accordance with the following 

portions of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin 

No. 70–06–29A, dated October 11, 2011 

(ASB), except this AD does not require 

returning any parts to ‘‘depot’’ or Sikorsky: 

(i) The Accomplishment Instructions, 

Section 3., paragraphs A.(1) through A.(3)(a); 

(ii) Equipment and Materials and 

Inspection sections of Appendix I; and 

(iii) Figures 1 through 10 of Appendix I. 

(2) As an alternative to the requirements of 

paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, disassemble the 

IGB and inspect the oil passages for any 

obstruction. Removing any obstruction from 

the IGB does not make it airworthy. 

(3) If there is any obstruction in any oil 

passage, replace the IGB with an airworthy 

IGB before further flight. 

(g) Special Flight Permits 

Special flight permits are prohibited. 

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft 

Certification Office, FAA, may approve 

AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 

Mike Davison, Flight Test Engineer, Boston 

Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 12 New 

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 

01803; telephone (781) 238–7156; fax (781) 

238–7170; email michael.davison@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. 

(i) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6520, Tail Rotor Gearbox. 

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert 

Service Bulletin No. 70–06–29A, dated 

October 11, 2011. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(3) For Sikorsky 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. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 

Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110. 

(5) You may also view this service 

information that is incorporated by reference 

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/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 30, 

2012. 

Kim Smith, 

Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–27050 Filed 11–14–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


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