[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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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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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