[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6382-6383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3031]



[[Page 6382]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-SW-39-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model 
S76A, B, and C Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S76A, 
B, and C helicopters. The AD would require removing non-conforming main 
landing gear brake discs (discs) and replacing them with different 
part-numbered airworthy discs. It would also require revising the 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to adjust takeoff and landing distances 
until the discs are replaced. This proposal is prompted by the 
manufacture of some discs using inferior materials. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent reduced braking 
performance and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 8, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-SW-39-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. You may also send comments electronically 
to the Rules Docket at the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments may be inspected at the Office of the Regional Counsel between 
9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Fahr, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7155, fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals 
contained in this document may be changed in light of the comments 
received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their mailed 
comments submitted in response to this proposal must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket No. 2002-SW-39-AD.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.

Discussion

    This document proposes the adoption of a new AD for Sikorsky Model 
S76A, B, and C helicopters that would require, within 60 days, 
determining if discs, part number (P/N) 5014067, are installed. If so, 
replacing them with discs, P/N 5007672, and re-identifying brake 
assembly, P/ N 5007555 and P/N 5007555-1, as brake assembly P/N 
5007555-3, and brake assembly, P/N 5007555-2, as brake assembly, P/N 
5007555-4, is required within 90 days. The proposed AD would also 
require revising the RFM to adjust the Category A rejected takeoff 
distance, the Category A landing distance, and the Category B landing 
distance by multiplying the distance by 1.67 to obtain the corrected 
distance until the discs are replaced. This proposal is prompted by the 
manufacture of some discs using inferior materials, resulting in 
degraded braking performance. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to prevent reduced braking performance and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter. Removing the discs, P/N 5014067, and 
replacing them with discs, P/N 5007672, would be a terminating action 
for the requirements of the proposed AD.
    The FAA has reviewed Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) No. 76-32-27, dated April 30, 2002, which contains 
Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation ASB S76-32-A24, dated April 10, 
2002; and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation ASB No. 76-32-28, dated May 17, 
2002, which contains Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation ASB S76-32-
A25, dated May 15, 2002. The ASB's describe procedures for replacing 
any non-conforming discs, reidentifying brake assemblies, and revising 
takeoff and landing distances in the RFM until the discs are replaced.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type designs. Therefore, the proposed AD would 
require, within 60 days, determining if non-conforming discs are 
installed, and if so, replacing them within 90 days with airworthy 
discs, P/N 5007672. It would also require revising the RFM to increase 
the takeoff and landing distances for helicopters with non-conforming 
discs installed until the discs are replaced. The actions would be 
required to be accomplished in accordance with the alert service 
bulletins described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 180 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 0.5 work 
hour per helicopter to determine if non-conforming discs are installed, 
and 1.25 work hours per helicopter to remove and replace and re-
identify any non-conforming discs. The average labor rate is $60 per 
work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $1,902 per disc, and 
there are two discs per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$703,620 to replace the discs throughout the fleet.
    The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the

[[Page 6383]]

location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. 2002-SW-39-AD.

    Applicability: Model S76A, B, and C helicopters, with main 
landing gear brake assembly (brake assembly), part number (P/N) 
5007555, 5007555-1, or 5007555-2 installed, certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced braking performance and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 60 days, determine if a main landing gear brake disc 
(disc), part number (P/N) 5014067, is installed in the braking 
assembly in accordance with:
    (1) Section III-Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 1.A. 
through 1.D., of Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation Alert Service 
Bulletin S76-32-A24, dated April 10, 2002 (ASB A24) for braking 
assembly, P/N 5007555 and P/N 5007555-1, and
    (2) Section III-Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 1.A. and 
1.B., of Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation Alert Service 
Bulleting S76-32-A25, dated May 15, 2002 (ASB A25), for braking 
assembly, P/N 5007555-2.
    (b) If disc, P/N 5014067, is installed, within 90 days, remove 
that disc and replace it with disc, P/N 5007672, and re-identify:
    (1) Brake assembly, P/N 5007555 and P/N 5007555-1, as brake 
assembly, P/N 5007555-3, in accordance with the conversion of brake 
assembly instructions on page 6 of ASB A24, and
    (2) Brake assembly, P/N 5007555-2, as brake assembly, P/N 
5007555-4, in accordance with the conversion of brake assembly 
instructions on page 6 of ASB A25.

    Note 2: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation ASB No. 76-32-27, dated 
April 30, 2002, contains Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation ASB 
S76-32-A24, dated April 10, 2002, and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
ASB No. 76-32-28, dated May 17, 2002, contains Aircraft Braking 
Systems Corporation ASB S76-32-A25, dated May 15, 2002.

    (c) Until all installed discs, P/N 5014067, on the helicopter 
are replaced with disc, P/N 5007672, and all brake assemblies are 
re-identified in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD, before 
further flight, increase the Category A-Rejected Takeoff Distance, 
the Category A-Landing Distance, and the Category B-Landing Distance 
as stated in the current Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) by 
multiplying these rejected takeoff and landing distances by a factor 
of 1.67.

    Note 3: There are temporary revisions to the RFM available from 
the helicopter manufacturer that documents increased rejected 
takeoff and landing distances.

    (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, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Boston Aircraft Certification Office.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 29, 2003.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-3031 Filed 2-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P