[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66205-66207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27659]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0517; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-73-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) for the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-76A 
helicopters. This proposal would require modifying the electric rotor 
brake (ERB). Thereafter, the AD would also require inserting changes to 
the ``Normal Procedures'' and ``Emergency Procedures'' sections of the 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), which revises the information of the 
basic RFM when the ERB is installed. This proposal is prompted by a 
reported incident of a fire occurring in an ERB installed on a Model S-
76A helicopter. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended 
to prevent overheating of the ERB assembly, ignition of the ERB 
hydraulic fluid, a fire in the main gearbox area, and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 27, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical 
Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT, telephone 
(203) 383-4866, e-mail address:

[[Page 66206]]

[email protected], or at http://www.sikorsky.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caspar Wang, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7799, fax (781) 238-7170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any written data, views, or arguments 
regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to the address listed 
under the caption ADDRESSES. Include the docket number ``FAA-2010-0517, 
Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-73-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact 
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Using the 
search function of our docket Web site, you can find and read the 
comments to any of our dockets, including the name of the individual 
who sent or signed the comment. You may review the DOT's complete 
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19477-78).

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposed AD, any 
comments, and other information 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 Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
located in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West Building at the 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

Discussion

    A number of service documents and ADs have been issued relating to 
the ERB on these and similar model helicopters. AD 82-17-03, issued 
July 30, 1982 (47 FR 35469, August 16, 1982), requires a puck-to-disc 
inspection of rotor brake, part number (P/N) 76363-09101-101, and 
modification of the ERB system including, among other modifications, 
installation of a warning relay by following Sikorsky Customer Service 
Bulletin No. 76-66-10B, dated November 25, 1981. AD 2003-04-15, issued 
February 14, 2003 (68 FR 8994, February 27, 2003), requires inspecting 
certain rotor brake discs for cracks that resulted from improper heat 
treating of the disc. This document proposes adopting a new AD for the 
Sikorsky Model S-76A helicopters with a different part-numbered ERB. 
This proposal would require, within 120 days, modifying the ERB by 
installing and operationally testing the parts contained in an ERB 
warning relay kit (P/N 76070-55023-011), an ERB circuit modification 
kit (P/N 76070-55033-012), and an ERB modification kit (P/N 76070-
55207-011) for helicopters with ERB, P/N 76363-09100-012. This proposal 
is prompted by a reported incident of a fire occurring in an ERB 
installed on a Model S-76A helicopter in Brazil. The actions specified 
by this proposed AD are intended to prevent overheating of the ERB 
assembly, ignition of the ERB hydraulic fluid, a fire in the main 
gearbox area, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    We have reviewed the following documents from Sikorsky:
     Customer Service Bulletin No. 76-66-10B, Revision 1, pages 
2-8, dated July 30, 1981, and Revision 2, pages 1 and 9-13 dated 
November 25, 1981 (CSB), specifies installing an ERB warning relay kit;
     Customer Service Notice 76-113, dated June 1, 1983 (CSN), 
which specifies installing an ERB circuit breaker and modification kit; 
and
     ASB No. 76-66-48B, Revision B, dated July 8, 2009, which 
specifies a one-time installation of an ERB modification kit containing 
two other kits and several modifications.
     RFM Supplement No. 41, dated September 6, 2005, which 
revises the information in the basic RFM normal and emergency 
procedures sections when the ERB system is modified.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type design. Therefore, the proposed AD would 
require modifying the ERB by installing the parts contained in a 
warning relay system modification kit, part number (P/N) 76070-55023-
011; a circuit modification kit, P/N 76070-55033-012; and a manifold, 
relay box, junction box, right-hand relay panel, and wiring harness 
modification kit, P/N 76070-55207-011. The proposed AD would also 
require operationally testing the ERB system after each modification. 
The proposed AD would also require inserting changes contained in a 
supplement into the RFM.
    These actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance 
with specified portions of the service information described 
previously.
    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 180 helicopters of 
U.S. registry. It would take about 38 work hours per helicopter to 
perform the modifications and operational tests at an average labor 
rate of $85 per work hour. Required parts would cost $13,300 per 
helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost impact 
of the proposed AD on U.S. operators would be $2,975,400 for the fleet.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. Additionally, 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 above, I certify that the 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. 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 a draft economic evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the AD docket to examine the draft 
economic evaluation.

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 regulation is within 
the scope of that authority

[[Page 66207]]

because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or 
develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 
(AD) to read as follows:

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2010-0517; Directorate 
Identifier 2009-SW-73-AD.

    Applicability: Model S-76A helicopters, with an electric rotor 
brake (ERB), part number (P/N) 76363-09100-012, installed, 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent overheating of the ERB assembly, ignition of the ERB 
hydraulic fluid, fire in the main gearbox area, and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter, do the following:
    (a) Within 120 days, modify the ERB by installing:
    (1) Warning relay system parts contained in modification kit, 
part number (P/N) 76070-55023-011, and operationally testing the ERB 
system in accordance with paragraphs 2.A. through 2.F., of Sikorsky 
Customer Service Bulletin No. 76-66-10B, Revision 1 (pages 2 through 
8), dated July 30, 1981, and Revision 2, (pages 1 and 9 through 13) 
dated November 25, 1981;
    (2) Circuit breaker and diodes contained in ERB circuit 
modification kit, P/N 76070-55033-012, and operationally testing the 
ERB system in accordance with paragraph B. through F. of Sikorsky 
Customer Service Notice 76-113, dated June 1, 1983; and
    (3) Manifold, relay box, junction box, right-hand relay panel, 
and wiring harness parts contained in ERB modification kit, P/N 
76070-55207-011, and operationally testing the ERB system in 
accordance with paragraphs 3.B. through 3.I. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-66-48B, 
Revision B, dated July 8, 2009.
    (b) After accomplishing paragraph (a) of this AD, insert into 
the Sikorsky Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) the changes to the 
``Normal Procedures (Part I, Section II)'' and ``Emergency 
Procedures (Part 1, Section III)'' contained in Sikorsky RFM, 
Supplement No. 41, dated September 6, 2005.
    (c) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Contact the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
ATTN: Caspar Wang, Aviation Safety Engineer, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7799, fax 
(781) 238-7170, for information about previously approved 
alternative methods of compliance.
    (d) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 6321: 
Main Rotor Brake.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 7, 2011.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-27659 Filed 10-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P