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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11174-11176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing 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 
rcrouch@aeroseatsandsystems.com.
    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 
Martin.R.Crane@faa.gov 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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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