[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 16, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7491-7492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3587]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 16, 1999 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 7491]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-SW-81-AD; Amendment 39-11040; AD 99-01-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-
76C Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-01-09 which was sent 
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Sikorsky Aircraft 
Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-76C helicopters by individual letters. 
This AD requires, before further flight, installing a placard in the 
cockpit adjacent to the fuel quantity gauge that states ``No flight 
operations to be conducted with less than 250 lbs. fuel in each tank.'' 
This AD must be placed in the Operating Limitations section of the 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual. This AD also requires, within 50 hours time-
in-service (TIS) or 30 calendar days, whichever occurs first, 
defueling, engine starting, and if necessary, inspecting fuel supply 
lines. This amendment is prompted by an in-flight engine flame-out that 
occurred on October 27, 1998. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent air from getting into a fuel supply line when there 
is less than 250 lbs. of fuel in either fuel tank, engine flame-out, 
and a subsequent forced landing.

DATES: Effective March 3, 1999, to all persons except those persons to 
whom it was made immediately effective by Priority Letter AD 99-01-09, 
issued on December 22, 1998, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before April 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-SW-81-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Gaulzetti, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, ANE-150, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7156, fax (781) 238-
7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 22, 1998, the FAA issued 
Priority Letter AD 99-01-09, applicable to Sikorsky Model S-76C 
helicopters, which requires, before further flight, installing a 
placard in the cockpit adjacent to the fuel quantity gauge that states 
``No flight operations to be conducted with less than 250 lbs. fuel in 
each tank.'' The AD must be placed in the Operating Limitations section 
of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual. The AD also requires, within 50 hours 
TIS or 30 calendar days, whichever occurs first, defueling, engine 
starting, and if necessary, inspecting fuel supply lines. Flight with 
less than 250 lbs. in each fuel tank could result in air getting into a 
fuel supply line, engine flame-out, and a subsequent forced landing.
    The FAA has reviewed Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service 
Bulletin No. 76-28-4, dated December 11, 1998, which describes 
procedures for a fuel line integrity test and an adjustment/
replacement, if necessary, of the fuel supply lines.
    Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop 
on other Sikorsky Model S-76C helicopters of the same type design, the 
FAA issued Priority Letter AD 99-01-09 to prevent air from getting into 
a fuel supply line when there is less than 250 lbs. of fuel in either 
fuel tank, engine flame-out, and a subsequent forced landing. The AD 
requires, before further flight, installing a placard in the cockpit 
adjacent to the fuel quantity gauge that states ``No flight operations 
to be conducted with less than 250 lbs. fuel in each tank.'' The AD 
must be placed in the Operating Limitations section of the Rotorcraft 
Flight Manual. The AD also requires, within 50 hours TIS or 30 calendar 
days, whichever occurs first, defueling, engine starting, and if 
necessary, inspecting fuel supply lines. The short compliance time 
involved is required because the previously described critical unsafe 
condition can result in a forced landing. Therefore, defueling, engine 
starting, and if necessary, inspecting fuel supply lines are required 
within 50 hours TIS or 30 calendar days, whichever occurs first. Also, 
installing a placard and placing this AD in the Rotorcraft Flight 
Manual are required prior to further flight and this AD must be issued 
immediately.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters 
issued on December 22, 1998 to all known U.S. owners and operators of 
Sikorsky Model S-76C helicopters. These conditions still exist, and the 
AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to 
section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to 
make it effective to all persons.
    The FAA estimates that 7 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per 
helicopter to placard and inspect the fuel supply lines, and the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. No parts are required. Based 
on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $1,260 for all 7 helicopters.

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

[[Page 7492]]

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. 98-SW-81-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    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, 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 
to read as follows:

AD 99-01-09  Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-11040. 
Docket No. 98-SW-81-AD.

    Applicability: Model S-76C helicopters, serial numbers 760477, 
760479, 760481 through 760487, 760490, 760491 and 760493, 
certificated in any category.

    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 (d) 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent air from getting into a fuel supply line when there 
is less than 250 lbs. of fuel in either fuel tank, engine flame-out, 
and a subsequent forced landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Before further flight:
    (1) Revise the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) by inserting this 
AD in the Operating Limitations section of the RFM.
    (2) Install a placard, made with block letters on a contrasting 
background, adjacent to the fuel quantity gauge that states:
    ``No flight operations to be conducted with less than 250 lbs. 
fuel in each fuel tank.''
    (b) Within 50 hours time-in-service or 30 calendar days, 
whichever occurs first, perform the following:
    (1) Defuel both fuel tanks until the #1 FUEL LOW and #2 FUEL LOW 
warning lights illuminate.
    (2) Start the No. 1 engine with the fuel lever in direct feed 
position.
    (3) Monitor the engine start for the following:
    (i) Slow start (N1 speed does not reach 59-65% within 20-40 
seconds).
    (ii) Loss of fuel prime.
    (iii) Sputtering or surging.
    (iv) Flameout.
    (4) If engine start is normal, shut down the engine and allow it 
to cool down.
    (5) If any of the conditions specified in paragraph (3) is 
encountered, shut down the engine and allow it to cool down. Inspect 
all portions of the fuel suction lines for unseated fittings or 
pitting or corrosion. If corrosion or pitting is present, replace 
any affected component with an airworthy component. If any fitting 
is unseated, reinstall it.
    (6) Repeat steps (2) through (5) with the fuel lever in the 
crossfeed position.
    (7) Repeat steps (2) through (6) for the No. 2 engine.
    (c) After accomplishing paragraph (b), remove this AD from the 
RFM and remove the cockpit placard. Accomplishment of these actions 
constitutes a terminating action for the requirements of this AD.

    Note 2: Maintenance Manual SA 4047-76C-2, Chapter 28, Paragraph 
28-20-02, Step 2, pertains to this AD.

    (d) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Boston Aircraft Certification Office.
    Note 4: Sikorsky Aircraft Company Alert Service Bulletin 76-28-
4, dated December 11, 1998, pertains to this AD.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished provided there is a 
minimum of 250 lbs. of fuel in each fuel tank.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 3, 1999, to all 
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by Priority Letter AD 99-01-09, issued December 22, 1998, 
which contained the requirements of this amendment.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 5, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-3587 Filed 2-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U