[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 182 (Friday, September 19, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49132-49133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24075]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-SW-18-AD; Amendment 39-10026; AD 97-19-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-
61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing priority letter
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V helicopters, that
currently requires inspecting certain main rotor blade assemblies
(blades) to determine if a blade has a blade trailing edge pocket
assembly (pocket assembly) that was anodized by Poly-Metal Company
during a specified time period, and if so, replacing it with an
airworthy blade. This amendment requires the same actions as the
existing AD, but corrects two serial numbers in the list of the
applicable blades. This amendment is prompted by the manufacturer's
issuance of a service bulletin with a revised list of blade serial
numbers. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
disbonding and separation of portions of the blade, subsequent
excessive vibrations, and loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective October 6, 1997. The incorporation by reference of
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the
Director of the Federal Register as of October 6, 1997.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before November 18, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 97-SW-18-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Mr. Paul Dionne, CAR Office, 6900
Main Street, P.O. Box 9729, Stratford, Connecticut 06497-9129,
telephone (203) 386-7860, fax (203) 386-4703. This information may be
examined at the FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137; or at the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bob Mann, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, ANE-150, 12 New England Executive
Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (617) 238-7190, fax (617) 238-
7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 30, 1997, the FAA issued priority
letter AD 97-10-04 to require, before further flight, inspecting
certain blades to determine the anodizing date for certain pocket
assemblies installed on the blade, and if a blade has a pocket assembly
that was anodized by Poly-Metal Company from October 1, 1996 through
December 31, 1996, replacing it with an airworthy blade. That action
was prompted by the discovery of a manufacturing defect that may cause
disbonding and separation of portions of a blade. This defect is the
result of an anodizing process, used during the manufacture of the
pocket assembly, that did not meet the Type Design specifications. That
condition, if not corrected, could result in disbonding and separation
of portions of the blade, subsequent excessive vibrations, and loss of
control of the helicopter.
Since the issuance of that AD, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation has
issued Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 61B15-29A, Revision A,
dated May 9, 1997, which corrects two of the blade serial numbers
listed in the ASB that were referenced in the priority letter AD.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61A, D,
E, L, N, NM, R, and V helicopters of the same type design, this AD
supersedes AD 97-10-04 to require, before further flight, inspecting
certain blades to determine the anodizing date for certain pocket
assemblies installed on the blade, and if a blade has a pocket assembly
that was anodized by Poly-Metal Company during the period of October 1,
1996, through December 31, 1996, replacing it with an airworthy blade.
The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the
service bulletin described previously.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-SW-18-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
[[Page 49133]]
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), Amendment 39-10026, to read as follows:
97-19-06 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-10026. Docket
No. 97-SW-18-AD. Supersedes priority letter AD 97-10-04.
Applicability: Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V
helicopters, certificated in any category, with a main rotor blade
assembly (blade), part number (P/N) S6115-20501 or P/N 61170-20201,
installed, having one of the following four-digit or eight-digit
serial numbers:
1282-1554 3305-3106
2183 3317-3115
2380-2498 3343-3147
2495 3343-3648
2500 3364-3180
2520 3451-3239
2521 3491-3278
2644 3499-3936
2673 3511-3293
2716-2683 3512-3292
2721 3517-3311
2751 3525-3310
2781-2644 3637-3459
2800-2671 3694-3481
2817 3748-3543
2819 3752-3527
2839 3753-3528
2883 3840-3620
2919-2771 3966-3737
3008 4216-4392
3016-2850 4787-4793
3019 4800-4794
3138 4835-4790
3168-3585 5484-5363
3192-2999 5974-5816
3215-3012 5981-5813
3216-3023 7069-6583
3242-3044 7779-7033
3249-3052 8099-8054
3250-3043
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration
eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any helicopter from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required before further flight, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent disbonding and separation of portions of the blade,
subsequent excessive vibrations, and loss of control of the
helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect each blade having one of the affected serial numbers
in accordance with Section 2A of the Accomplishment Instructions of
Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 61B15-29A, Revision A,
dated May 9, 1997, to determine the anodizing date for all blade
trailing edge pocket assemblies (pocket assemblies) installed on the
blade in locations as specified in the Planning Information Section,
paragraph 1D(3) of the ASB, that were anodized by Poly-Metal
Company. Remove any blade having a pocket assembly anodized by Poly-
Metal Company during the period from October 1, 1996 through
December 31, 1996, and replace the blade with an airworthy blade.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification
Office, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then
send it to the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Boston Aircraft Certification Office.
(c) A one-time only special flight permit may be issued to
operate the helicopter to a location where the requirements of this
AD can be accomplished, after inspecting all pocket assemblies for
disbonding.
(d) The inspection shall be done in accordance with Sikorsky ASB
No. 61B15-29A, Revision A, dated May 9, 1997. This incorporation by
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be
obtained from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Mr. Paul Dionne,
CAR Office, 6900 Main Street, P.O. Box 9729, Stratford, Connecticut
06497-9129, telephone (203) 386-7860, fax (203) 386-4703. Copies may
be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 6, 1997.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 3, 1997.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-24075 Filed 9-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P