44048 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 141 / Tuesday, July 23, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

(iii) Record the newly-established life limit 

of each part on the part’s component log card 

or equivalent record. 

(2) After establishing the new life limit, 

replace each part that has reached or 

exceeded its new life limit with an airworthy 

part before further flight. 

(3) Do not install the following parts on a 

Model S–70, S–70A, or S–70C helicopter if 

they have been previously installed on a 

Model UH–60M helicopter: 

(i) Bolt, self retaining, P/N 70103–08801– 

102; 

(ii) Bifilar, P/N 70107–08400–046; (iii) Aft 

Bellcrank, P/N 70400–08102–045; 

(iv) Aft Walking Beam Assembly, P/N 

70400–08104–048; or 

(v) Close Tolerance Bolt, P/N 70400– 

26802–102 and –103. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOC) 

(1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft 

Certification Office, FAA, may approve 

AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 

Michael Davison, Flight Test Engineer, 

Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & 

Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 

Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 

01803; telephone (781) 238–7156; 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. 

(g) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6220 Main Rotor Hub, 6230 Main Rotor 

Mast/Swashplate, 6320 Main Rotor Gearbox, 

6310 Engine/Transmission Coupling, 6510 

Tail Rotor Drive Shaft. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 11, 

2013. 

Kim Smith, 

Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–17629 Filed 7–22–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0637; Directorate 

Identifier 2013–SW–030–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky 

Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an 

existing airworthiness directive (AD) for 

Sikorsky Model S–76A, B, and C 

helicopters. The existing AD currently 

requires inspecting the main rotor lower 

bifilar arm assembly (bifilar arm 

assembly) for a crack, and if there is a 

crack, replacing the bifilar arm 

assembly. The AD also requires a onetime test for the correct torque on the 

lug nuts, and if necessary, conducting 

torque stabilization tests. Since we 

issued that AD, Sikorsky has developed 

a terminating procedure for the 

inspections required by the existing AD. 

This proposed AD would retain the 

requirements of that AD, and would 

require replacing the main rotor hub 

(MRH) pilot with a different partnumbered MRH pilot, which would be 

terminating action for the requirements 

of the AD. The proposed actions are 

intended to prevent failure of a bifilar 

lug, damage to the main rotor control 

system, and subsequent loss of control 

of the helicopter. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by September 23, 

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. You may review 

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 

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 

On October 26, 2005, we issued AD 

2005–22–01, amendment 39–14345 (70 

FR 61721) for Sikorsky Model S–76A, B, 

and C helicopters with an MRH pilot 

part number (P/N) 76103–08003–101 

with 1,500 or more hours time-inservice (TIS) installed. The AD requires, 

every 50 hours TIS, inspecting the main 

rotor lower bifilar arm assembly in the 

attachment area around the lower bifilar 

lugs for a crack. If there is a crack, the 

AD requires replacing the bifilar arm 

assembly. If there is not a crack, the AD 

requires a one-time test for the correct 

torque on the lug nuts, and if necessary, 

conducting torque stabilization tests. 

The AD was prompted by four reports 


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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 141 / Tuesday, July 23, 2013 / Proposed Rules 44049 

of cracked bifilars. Those actions were 

intended to prevent failure of a bifilar 

lug, damage to the main rotor control 

system, and subsequent loss of control 

of the helicopter. 

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued 

Since we issued AD 2005–22–01, 

Sikorsky issued Alert Service Bulletin 

76–65–65, dated March 22, 2012 (ASB 

76–65–65). ASB 76–65–65 specifies 

measuring the MRH diameter and, if the 

diameter is small, replacing the MRH 

pilot with a newly-redesigned MRH 

pilot. The new MRH pilot has a larger 

flange diameter that provides greater 

support for the bifilar assembly and 

reduces stress on the bifilar assembly 

attachment lugs. We propose to 

supersede AD 2005–22–01 to require 

installation of the large diameter MRH 

pilot as terminating action for the 

repetitive inspection requirements. 

These actions are intended to prevent 

failure of a bifilar lug, damage to the 

main rotor control system, and 

subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

FAA’s Determination 

We are proposing this AD because we 

evaluated all the relevant information 

and determined the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop in other products of the same 

type design. 

Related Service Information 

Sikorsky issued S–76 Alert Service 

Bulletin (ASB) 76–65–62, dated 

December 14, 2004 (ASB 76–65–62), 

which describes procedures to inspect 

the lower bifilar assembly for a crack. 

We have also reviewed ASB 76–65–65, 

which specifies measuring the MRH 

diameter and, if the diameter is small, 

replacing the MRH pilot with a newlyredesigned MRH pilot with a larger 

flange diameter. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would retain the 

repetitive inspection requirements of 

AD 2005–22–01, but would also require 

replacing the MRH pilot, P/N 76103– 

08003–101, with MRH pilot, P/N 

76103–08003–102, as terminating 

action. 

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. Inspecting the bifilar arm 

assembly would require about 4 workhours, at an average labor rate of $85 per 

hour, for a cost per helicopter of $340 

and a total cost to U.S. operators of 

$61,540. 

Replacing a cracked bifilar arm 

assembly would require about 4 workhours, at an average labor rate of $85 per 

hour, and required parts would cost 

about $19,727, for a cost per helicopter 

of $20,067. 

Replacing the MRH pilot, P/N 76103– 

08003–101, with an MRH pilot, P/N 

76103–08003–102, would require about 

0.7 work-hour, at an average labor rate 

of $85 per hour, and required parts 

would cost about $1,043, for a cost per 

helicopter of $1,103 and a total cost to 

U.S. operators of $199,643. 

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 proposed 

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: 

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 

removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 

2005–22–01, Amendment 39–14345 (70 

FR 61721, October 26, 2005), and 

adding the following new AD: 

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. 

FAA–2013–0637; Directorate Identifier 

2013–SW–030–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Model S–76A, B, and 

C helicopters with a main rotor hub (MRH) 

pilot, part number (P/N) 76103–08003–101, 

installed, certificated in any category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as a 

crack on the MRH pilot bifilar assembly lug, 

which could result in failure of a bifilar lug, 

damage to the main rotor system, and 

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. 

(c) Affected ADs 

This AD supersedes AD 2005–22–01, 

Amendment 39–14345 (70 FR 61721, October 

26, 2005). 

(d) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by September 

23, 2013. 

(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 

(1) For MRH pilots with 1,500 or more 

hours time-in-service (TIS), within 50 hours 

TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 

50 hours TIS, inspect the lower bifilar arm 

assembly for a crack in the lug attachment 

area. Conduct the inspection of the lower 

bifilar arm assembly by following the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 

3.A.(1) through 3.A.(6), of Sikorsky Alert 

Service Bulletin No. 76–65–62, dated 

December 14, 2004 (ASB 76–65–62). 


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44050 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 141 / Tuesday, July 23, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

(i) If there is a crack on any bifilar 

assembly arm lug, before further flight, 

replace the bifilar arm assembly with an 

airworthy bifilar arm assembly. 

(ii) If no crack is found at the initial 

inspection, perform a one-time torque test. 

Perform the torque test and the additional 

torque procedures as stated in the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 

3.B.(1) through 3.B.(3), of ASB 76–65–62. The 

torque test is not required at the recurring 

inspection intervals of the lower bifilar arm 

assembly. 

(iii) Within 600 hours TIS, replace the 

MRH pilot, P/N 76103–08003–101, with an 

MRH pilot, P/N 76103–08003–102. 

(2) For MRH pilots with less than 900 

hours TIS, prior to accumulating 1,500 hours 

TIS, replace the MRH pilot, P/N 76103– 

08003–101, with a MRH pilot, P/N 76103– 

08003–102. 

(3) After the effective date of this AD, do 

not install an MRH pilot, P/N 76103–08003– 

101, on any helicopter. 

(g) Special Flight Permit 

Special flight permits will not be issued. 

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft 

Certification Office, FAA, may approve 

AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 

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. 

(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) 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 service information at the FAA, Office of 

the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 

2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 

Texas 76137. 

(j) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6220: Main Rotor Head. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 11, 

2013. 

Kim Smith, 

Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–17631 Filed 7–22–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0634; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–SW–023–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter 

Deutschland GmbH Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH 

(Eurocopter) Model EC135P2+ and 

EC135T2+ helicopters. This proposed 

AD would require inspecting the 

mechanical air conditioning system 

compressor bearing block upper bearing 

(upper bearing) for corrosion, leaking 

grease, condensation, or water. This 

proposed AD is prompted by metallic 

debris from an upper bearing found in 

the air inlet areas of both engines in a 

Model EC135P2+ helicopter. The 

proposed actions are intended to 

prevent metallic debris from damaging 

the engine, causing loss of engine 

power, and subsequent loss of 

helicopter control. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by September 23, 

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 

foreign authority’s 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 American 

Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum 

Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 

telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232– 

0323; fax (972) 641–3775; or at 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: Matt 

Wilbanks, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Regulations and Policy Group, 

Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 

Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 

76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email 

matt.wilbanks@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 

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 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2011– 

0111R1, dated September 22, 2011, 

which revises EASA AD No. 2011–0111, 

dated June 10, 2011, to correct an unsafe 

condition for certain Model EC135P2+ 

and EC135T2+ helicopters. EASA 


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