Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2011 / Rules and Regulations 66617 

stamped on the nameplate, certificated in any 

category. 

Compliance: Before further flight, unless 

previously accomplished. 

To prevent a landing gear collapse and 

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 

do the following: 

(a) Revise the operating limitations, 

‘‘Airspeed Limits’’ section of the rotorcraft 

Flight Manual (RFM) by one of the following 

methods: 

(1) Insert Sikorsky ‘‘Temporary Revisions’’ 

SA S92A–RFM–000, Revision 2; SA S92A– 

RFM–002, Revision 6; SA S92A–RFM–003, 

Revision 5; SA S92A–RFM–004, Revision 5; 

SA S92A–RFM–005, Revision 4; or SA 

S92A–RFM–006, Revision 3; all approved 

January 7, 2011; or 

(2) Insert a copy of this AD; or 

(3) Make pen and ink changes with the 

following limitations: 

‘‘Maximum rolling groundspeed for normal 

takeoff or normal landing is 50 knots.’’ 

‘‘After a landing with a rolling 

groundspeed in excess of 50 knots, any 

further takeoffs or towing operation is 

prohibited. Rolling ground taxi operations of 

less than 50 knots are permitted.’’ 

(b) Following a landing with a rolling 

groundspeed in excess of 50 knots, or as an 

alternative to revising the operating 

limitations section of the RFM in compliance 

with this AD, before further flight, replace 

each affected actuator that does not have the 

modification letter ‘‘B’’ stamped on the 

nameplate with an airworthy actuator that 

has the modification letter ‘‘B’’ stamped on 

the nameplate. 

(c) 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: Michael 

Schwetz, Aviation Safety Engineer, 12 New 

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 

01803, telephone (781) 238–7761, fax (781) 

238–7170, for information about previously 

approved alternative methods of compliance. 

Note: Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 

92–32–001, dated May 2, 2008, which is not 

incorporated by reference, contains 

additional information about the subject of 

this AD. 

(d) The Joint Aircraft System/Component 

(JASC) Code is 3233: Landing Gear Actuator. 

(e) This amendment becomes effective on 

November 14, 2011. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 14, 

2011. 

Kim Smith, 

Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–27773 Filed 10–26–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–0909; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–SW–026–AD; Amendment 

39–16835; AD 2011–21–12] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Erickson AirCrane Incorporated Model S–64F 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

Erickson Air-Crane (Erickson Air-Crane) 

Model S–64F helicopters. The 

amendment requires, at specified 

intervals, certain inspections of the 

rotating swashplate assembly 

(swashplate) for a crack. If a crack is 

found, this AD also requires, before 

further flight, replacing the swashplate 

with an airworthy swashplate. This AD 

is prompted by a report from the 

manufacturer of a swashplate cracking 

during fatigue testing. We are issuing 

this AD to prevent loss of a swashplate 

due to a fatigue crack, loss of control of 

the main rotor system, and subsequent 

loss of control of the helicopter. 

DATES: Effective December 1, 2011. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in the AD 

as of December 1, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this AD, contact Erickson 

Air-Crane Incorporated, 3100 Willow 

Springs Road, P.O. Box 3247, Central 

Point, OR 97502, telephone (541) 664– 

5544, fax (541) 664–2312. 

Examining the AD Docket: You may 

examine the AD docket, 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 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 

Washington, DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Michael Kohner, ASW–170, Aviation 

Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Rotorcraft Certification Office, Fort 

Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 

222–5170, fax (817) 222–5783. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a Notice of Proposed 

Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to Erickson Air-Crane Model S– 

64F helicopters on September 3, 2010. 

That NPRM was published in the 

Federal Register on September 16, 2010 

(75 FR 56487). That NPRM proposed to 

require, at specified intervals, certain 

visual inspections of the swashplate for 

a crack. Also, the AD proposed, at 

specified intervals a fluorescentpenetrant inspection (FPI) of the 

swashplate for a crack. If a crack is 

found, that NPRM proposed, before 

further flight, replacing the swashplate 

with an airworthy swashplate. 

Comments 

We gave the public an opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

received no comment on the NPRM or 

on our determination of the cost to the 

public. Therefore, based on our review 

and evaluation of the available data, we 

have determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

as proposed. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 7 

helicopters of U.S. registry and will take 

about: 

• .5 hour for the visual inspection; 

• 1 hour for the 10-power or higher 

magnifying glass inspection; 

• 35 hours for the 1,000-hour FPI; and 

• 32 hours to replace a swashplate at 

an average labor rate of $85 per work 

hour. 

Required parts will cost about $25,000 

per helicopter. Based on these figures, 

we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 

operators is $229,145, assuming 40 15- 

hour visual inspections; 4 150-hour 10- 

power magnifying glass inspections; 1 

1000-hour FPI and 1 swashplate 

replacement for each helicopter for the 

entire fleet of S–64F helicopters for each 

year. 

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 

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66618 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2011 / Rules and Regulations 

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 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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

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 

■ 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): 

2011–21–12 Erickson Air-Crane 

Incorporated: Amendment 39–16835; 

Docket No. FAA–2010–0909; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–SW–026–AD. 

Applicability: Model S–64F helicopters, 

with rotating swashplate assembly 

(swashplate), part number (P/N) 65104– 

11001–051, installed, certificated in any 

category. 

Compliance: Required as indicated. 

To prevent loss of a swashplate due to a 

fatigue crack, loss of control of the main rotor 

system, and subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter, do the following: 

(a) Within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS), 

unless accomplished previously, and 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 15 hours 

TIS, clean and visually inspect the 

swashplate for a crack in areas A through F 

as depicted in Figure 1 of Erickson Air-Crane 

Service Bulletin 64B10–10, Revision 2, dated 

April 1, 2008 (SB). 

(b) Within 150 hours TIS, unless 

accomplished previously, and thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 150 hours TIS, clean 

the swashplate and, using a 10-power or 

higher magnifying glass, visually inspect for 

a crack in areas A through F as depicted in 

Figure 1 of the SB. 

(c) Within 1,000 hours TIS since the last 

fluorescent-penetrant inspection (FPI) and 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 

hours TIS, remove the swashplate from the 

rotor head, disassemble and remove the paint 

from the swashplate, and FPI the swashplate 

for a crack in accordance with ATSM E1417, 

Type I, Methods A or C. 

(d) If a crack is found in the swashplate, 

before further flight, replace the swashplate 

with an airworthy swashplate. 

(e) 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, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

ATTN: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Michael 

Kohner, ASW–170, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 

222–5170, fax (817) 222–5783, for 

information about previously approved 

alternative methods of compliance. 

(f) The Joint Aircraft System/Component 

(JASC) Code is 6230: Main Rotor Mast/ 

Swashplate. 

(g) The inspections shall be done in 

accordance with the specified portions of 

Erickson Air-Crane Service Bulletin 64B10– 

10, Revision 2, dated April 1, 2008. 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 Erickson AirCrane Incorporated, 3100 Willow Springs 

Road, P. O. Box 3247, Central Point, OR 

97502, telephone (541) 664–5544, fax (541) 

664–2312. 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. 

(h) This amendment becomes effective on 

December 1, 2011. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 

29, 2011. 

Kim Smith, 

Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–27775 Filed 10–26–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–1033; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–SW–43–AD; Amendment 39– 

16815; AD 2011–20–05] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter 

France (Eurocopter) Model EC225LP 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration, DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

Eurocopter Model EC225LP helicopters. 

This AD requires inspecting the dome 

fairing support for a crack at the dome 

fairing attachment point. If a crack is 

found, this AD requires replacing the 

dome fairing support and the associated 

coning stop support assembly before 

further flight. If no crack is found, this 

AD requires repetitive inspections and 

retorquing the screws at specified 

intervals. This AD is prompted by the 

discovery of two fatigue cracks in the 

dome fairing attachment on the dome 

fairing support. This condition, if not 

corrected, could lead to the loss of the 

dome fairing in flight, causing damage 

to the helicopter and injury to people on 

the ground. 

DATES: Effective November 14, 2011. 

Comments for inclusion in the Rules 

Docket must be received on or before 

December 27, 2011. 

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. 

• 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 AD from American 

Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum 

Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75053–4005, 

telephone (800) 232–0323, fax (972) 

641–3710, or at http:// 

www.eurocopter.com. 

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