[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40063-40065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15954]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0556; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-30-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated 
Helicopters (Type Certificate previously Held by Sikorsky Aircraft 
Corporation)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-64E 
helicopters. The existing AD requires checks of the main rotor blades 
for a crack. This proposed AD would retain the actions of the existing 
AD, would reflect that the type certificate (TC) for this model 
helicopter has been transferred to Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated 
(Erickson), and expand the applicability to include the similar 
Erickson Model S-64F helicopters. This proposed AD is prompted by a 
need to expand the applicability to include Model S-64F helicopters and 
clarify the applicable main rotor blades by part number. The proposed 
actions are intended to detect a crack in the main rotor blade and 
prevent blade separation and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 3, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket 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 AD docket contains this proposed AD, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated, ATTN: Chris Erickson/Compliance 
Officer, 3100 Willow Springs Rd., PO Box 3247, Central Point, OR 97502; 
telephone (541) 664-5544; fax (541) 664-2312; email 
[email protected]. You may review the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: JC Lin, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5170; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed 
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    On December 6, 1990, we issued AD 90-26-12, Amendment 39-6841 (55 
FR 51406, December 14, 1990) for Sikorsky Model S-64E helicopters. The 
AD requires repetitive checks of the Blade Inspection Method (BIM) 
indicator of each main rotor blade to determine whether the blade 
pressure has been compromised by a blade crack. These checks, which may 
be performed by the pilot, must be accomplished and recorded before the 
first flight of each day and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
three hours time-in-service (TIS) for helicopters engaged in seven or 
more external lifts per hour or five hours TIS for operations with less 
than seven external lifts per hour or operations without an external 
load, with each check-interval measured from the last check. Those 
actions are intended to detect fatigue cracks in the blade, which could 
result in separation of the blade and loss of control of the 
helicopter.

[[Page 40064]]

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 90-26-12 (55 FR 51406, December 14, 1990) for 
Model S-64E helicopters, cracks have been discovered on the main rotor 
blades of Model S-64F helicopters. The main rotor blades used on the 
Model S-64F helicopter are similar to the main rotor blades used on the 
Model S-64E helicopter; however, Model S-64F was not included in AD 90-
26-12. Also, on February 13, 1992, Sikorsky transferred TC H6EA for 
Model S-64E and S-64F helicopters to Erickson. Erickson later issued 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 64F15-2, Revision A, dated July 14, 1999, for 
the Model S-64F and SB No. 64B15-4D, Revision D, dated January 26, 
2001, for the Model S-64E. Erickson released SB No. 64F15-2 to provide 
the operation and check procedures for BIM blades installed on the 
Model S-64F helicopters. Several blade spars with a crack emanating 
from corrosion pits and other damage have been found because of BIM 
pressure indications, similar to the Model S-64E helicopters. The 
checks in SB No. 64F15-2 for the Model S-64F are the same as those 
required by AD 90-26-12 for the Model S-64E helicopters. We also 
determined that the primary temperatures listed in the Required Actions 
section of this AD should be converted from degrees Celsius to degrees 
Fahrenheit and part numbers for the applicable main rotor blades should 
be specified for increased clarity.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would supersede AD 90-26-12 (55 FR 51406, December 
14, 1990), to retain the same checks and procedures, but in a revised 
format to meet current publication requirements and to expand the 
applicability to include both the Erickson S-64E and S-64F helicopters. 
This proposed AD would require recurring checks of the BIM indicator on 
each blade to determine whether the BIM indicator is displaying a black 
or red color, which is an indication that the blade pressure may have 
been compromised by a blade crack. If there is a black or red color BIM 
indication, the proposed AD would require checking the BIM indicator to 
determine whether it is functioning properly. If the BIM indicator is 
malfunctioning, correcting it before further flight would be required. 
If the BIM indicator is functioning properly, and the blade BIM 
indication remains red or black, replacing the blade before further 
flight would be required. The proposed AD would require that the checks 
be accomplished and recorded before the first flight of each day and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed three hours TIS for helicopters 
engaged in seven or more external lifts per hour or five hours TIS for 
operations with less than seven external lifts per hour or operations 
without an external load, with each check-interval measured from the 
last check. These checks may be performed by an owner/operator (pilot) 
and must be entered into the helicopter maintenance records in 
accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1)-(4) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). A pilot may 
perform these checks because they involve only a check of the BIM 
pressure indicators and can be performed equally well by a pilot or a 
mechanic. This authorization is an exception to our standard 
maintenance regulations.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 27 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs 
in order to comply with this AD. Each visual BIM pressure indicator 
color check would take about 0.1 work-hour at an average labor rate of 
$85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, each visual BIM pressure 
indicator color check would cost about $9 per helicopter or $230 for 
the fleet. Each BIM pressure indicator function check would take about 
0.25 work-hour, and would cost about $21, or $574 for the fleet.
    If a main rotor blade must be replaced, it would take about 2 work-
hours and required parts would cost about $125,000. Based on these 
figures, it would cost about $125,170 per helicopter to replace a main 
rotor blade.

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

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. 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, I certify 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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    4. 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 an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
90-26-12 (55 FR 51406, December 14, 1990), and adding the following new 
AD:

Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (Type Certificate Previously Held By 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation): Docket No. FAA-2013-0556; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-30-AD.

[[Page 40065]]

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (Erickson) 
Model S-64E and S-64F helicopters, with rotary wing blade assembly 
(main rotor blade), part number (P/N) 6415-20201-043, -045, -047, -
048, -049, -050, or -051; or 6415-20601-041, -042, -043, -044, -045, 
-046, -047, -048, -049, -050, -051, or -052, installed, certificated 
in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in the main 
rotor blade (blade), which could result in blade separation and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 90-26-12, Docket No. 90-ASW-27, Amendment 
39-6841 (55 FR 51406, December 14, 1990).

(d) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 3, 2013.

(e) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) Before further flight, visually check the Blade Inspection 
Method (BIM) pressure indicators of the main rotor blades for a 
black or red color indication.
    (2) Before further flight, replace any blade with a black or red 
color indication in a BIM pressure indicator with an airworthy part 
of the same part number unless the black or red color indication is 
determined to be the result of BIM system malfunction.
    Note 1 to paragraph (f)(2) of this AD: Paragraphs (f)(4)(i-iv) 
of this AD specify how to determine if a BIM system is functioning 
correctly.
    (3) Repeat the visual BIM pressure indicator check required by 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD prior to the first flight of each day 
and thereafter at intervals not to exceed:
    (i) Three hours time-in-service (TIS) from the last check for 
helicopters engaged in seven or more external lifts per hour; or
    (ii) Five hours TIS from the last check for helicopters engaged 
in either less than seven external lifts per hour or operation 
without external cargo.
    (4) Prior to the first flight of each day, check the BIM 
pressure indicator for proper function as follows:
    (i) Press in and hold the manual test lever (grenade-type 
handle) on the raised area of the handle over the pin-type actuation 
plunger. Do not handle the indicator glass bulb since the heat of 
the hand may change the internal reference pressure and result in an 
erroneous indicator reading.
    (ii) Depress the actuation plunger fully to shut off the 
pressure completely from the blade into the indicator. If necessary, 
press with the thumbs of both hands to overcome the plunger spring 
force.
    Note 2 to paragraph (f)(4)(ii) of this AD: If pressure is 
applied to the end of the lever on the flat area, the actuation 
plunger will not fully depress.
    (iii) Verify proper operation of the indicator by observing that 
a full-black or full-red (unsafe) indication appears in not less 
than 10 or more than 30 seconds after depressing the plunger for a 
temperature of 20 degrees F (-6.7 degrees C) or above. At lower 
temperatures, extend the upper limit to the corresponding time as 
follows:
    (A) 19 to 0 degrees F (-7.2 to -17.8 degrees C); upper limit of 
35 seconds.
    (B) -1 to -20 degrees F (-18.3 to -28.9 degrees C); upper limit 
of 40 seconds.
    (C) -21 to -40 degrees F (-29.4 to -40.0 degrees C); upper limit 
of 50 seconds.
    (D) -41 to -60 degrees F (-40.5 to -51.1 degrees C); upper limit 
of 60 seconds.
    (iv) Release the lever and observe that the black or red 
indication snaps back immediately, leaving an all-white or all-
yellow (safe) indication.
    (v) If the indicator does not meet the specified requirements, 
then either identify and correct the BIM indicator malfunction or 
replace the suspect main rotor blade with an airworthy blade of the 
same part number prior to further flight.
    (5) The checks required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(4)(i-iv) of 
this AD may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at 
least a private pilot certificate, and must be entered into the 
aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 
14 CFR 43.9 (a)(1)-(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must 
be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

(g) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits will not be issued.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: JC Lin, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; 
telephone (817) 222-5170; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(i) Additional Information

    Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated Service Bulletins No. 64B15-4D, 
Revision D, dated January 26, 2001 for the Model S-64E and No. 
64F15-2, Revision A, dated July 14, 1999 for the Model S-64F, which 
are not incorporated by reference, contain additional information 
about the subject of this AD. For service information, contact 
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated, ATTN: Chris Erickson/Compliance 
Officer, 3100 Willow Springs Rd, PO Box 3247, Central Point, OR 
97502; telephone (541) 664-5544; fax (541) 664-2312; email 
[email protected]. You may review a copy of this 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

 (j) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6210, Main Rotor 
Blades.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 18, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-15954 Filed 7-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P