[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3941-3944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01572]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0896; Product Identifier 2017-SW-034-AD; Amendment 
39-19166; AD 2018-02-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-07-02 for 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model 269D and Model 269D 
Configuration A helicopters. AD 2017-07-02 required reducing the life 
limit of and inspecting certain drive shafts. This new AD retains the 
requirements of AD 2017-07-02 and requires repeating the inspections. 
The actions of this AD are intended to detect and prevent an unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 5, 2018.

[[Page 3942]]


ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Engineering, 
124 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-
416-4299; email [email protected]. You may view this 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2017-0896; or in person at Docket 
Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The address 
for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Operations, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schwetz, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 
FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone 
(781) 238-7761; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to remove AD 2017-07-02, Amendment 39-18840 (82 FR 15120, March 
27, 2017) and add a new AD. AD 2017-07-02 applied to Sikorsky Model 
269D and Model 269D Configuration A helicopters with a KAflex engine 
side drive shaft part number (P/N) SKCP2738-7 and KAflex pulley side 
drive shaft P/N SKCP2738-5 installed. AD 2017-07-02 required reducing 
the life limit of the drive shafts and performing several inspections 
of the drive shafts within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS). AD 2017-07-
02 also specified replacing the drive shaft assemblies as an optional 
terminating action for the requirements of the AD. AD 2017-07-02 was 
prompted by four incidents involving failure of the engine side drive 
shaft. The actions required by AD 2017-07-02 were intended to prevent 
failure of the drive shaft, loss of rotor drive, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 22, 2017 
(82 FR 44353) to provide the public an opportunity to comment on 
proposed requirements with longer intervals. The NPRM proposed to 
retain the requirements of AD 2017-07-02 and repeat some of the 
inspections every 100 hours TIS or 400 hours TIS. Repeating these 
inspections is necessary to detect and prevent the unsafe condition.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an 
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of these same type designs and that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Appendix B to Sikorsky S-330 Model 269D Helicopter 
Basic Handbook of Maintenance Instructions No. CSP-D-2, dated February 
1, 1993, and revised October 15, 2014; and Appendix B to Sikorsky S-333 
Model 269D Config. ``A'' Helicopter Basic Handbook of Maintenance 
Instructions No. CSP-D-9, dated July 20, 2001, and revised October 15, 
2014. This service information specifies repetitive inspection 
procedures, overhaul and retirement schedules, and weight and balance 
procedures. The Airworthiness Limitations section, which is included in 
this service information, contains the life limits for drive shaft 
assembly P/Ns SKCP2738-5 and SKCP2738-7.
    We also reviewed Sikorsky 269D Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 
DB-052, Basic Issue, dated January 16, 2014, for Sikorsky Model 269D 
and Model 269D Configuration A helicopters. This service information 
distributes the service life reduction information and implements a new 
1,200-hour overhaul inspection for drive shaft assembly P/Ns SKCP2738-
3, SKCP2738-5, and SKCP2738-7.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    The Sikorsky service information specifies a drive shaft assembly 
service life of 3,000 hours TIS with a 1,200 hour overhaul inspection 
for Model 269D Configuration A helicopters, while this AD specifies a 
service life of 1,200 hours TIS.
    The Sikorsky service information specifies different inspection 
procedures if there is spline engagement interference or resistance 
while inspecting the drive shaft alignment. This AD specifies replacing 
both the engine side and pulley side drive shafts if there is any 
spline engagement interference or resistance.
    The Sikorsky service information specifies inspecting the working 
fastener condition without any specific succeeding action regarding the 
inspection. This AD specifies replacing both the engine side and pulley 
side drive shafts if there is any joint movement.
    The Sikorsky service information specifies returning the drive 
shaft assembly to Sikorsky if there is fretting dust or red metallic 
residue at a joint. This AD specifies replacing both the engine side 
and pulley side drive shafts if there is any fretting corrosion.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 18 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD.
    Removing the engine side and pulley side drive shafts that have 
reached the new life limit will take about 4 work-hours for a cost of 
$340 per helicopter. Inspecting the lower pulley to engine alignment 
using the belt alignment tool will take about 0.5 work-hour for an 
estimated cost of $43 per helicopter and $774 for the U.S. fleet per 
inspection cycle. Adjusting the engine elevation alignment will take 
about 0.5 work-hour for an estimated cost of $43 per helicopter. 
Inspecting the drive shaft alignment by checking spline engagement will 
take about 1 work-hour for a cost of $85 per helicopter and $1,530 for 
the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle. Inspecting the drive shafts for 
damage will take about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per 
helicopter and $1,530 for the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle. 
Inspecting the joints will take about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost 
of $85 per helicopter and $1,530 for the U.S. fleet per inspection 
cycle. Replacing the engine side and pulley side drive shafts, if 
required, will take about 8 work-hours and parts will cost about 
$20,000, for an estimated cost of $20,680 per helicopter.

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.

[[Page 3943]]

    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 have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that a regulatory distinction is required, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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) 
2017-07-02, Amendment 39-18840 (82 FR 15120, March 27, 2017), and 
adding the following new AD:

2018-02-13 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky): Amendment 39-
19166; Docket No. FAA-2017-0896; Product Identifier 2017-SW-034-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Sikorsky Model 269D and Model 269D 
Configuration A helicopters with a KAflex engine side drive shaft 
part number (P/N) SKCP2738-7 and KAflex pulley side drive shaft P/N 
SKCP2738-5 installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a drive 
shaft. This condition could result in loss of rotor drive and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2017-07-02, Amendment 39-18840 (82 FR 
15120, March 27, 2017).

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective March 5, 2018.

(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:
    (i) For Model 269D helicopters, remove from service any KAflex 
engine side drive shaft P/N SKCP2738-7 and any KAflex pulley side 
drive shaft P/N SKCP2738-5 that has 6,000 or more hours time-in-
service (TIS). Thereafter, remove from service any KAflex engine 
side drive shaft P/N SKCP2738-7 and any KAflex pulley side drive 
shaft P/N SKCP2738-5 before accumulating 6,000 hours TIS.
    (ii) For Model 269D Configuration A helicopters, remove from 
service any KAflex engine side drive shaft P/N SKCP2738-7 and any 
KAflex pulley side drive shaft P/N SKCP2738-5 that has 1,200 or more 
hours TIS. Thereafter, remove from service any KAflex engine side 
drive shaft P/N SKCP2738-7 and any KAflex pulley side drive shaft P/
N SKCP2738-5 before accumulating 1,200 hours TIS.
    (iii) If interchanged between Model 269D and Model 269D 
Configuration A helicopters, remove from service any KAflex engine 
side drive shaft P/N SKCP2738-7 and any KAflex pulley side drive 
shaft P/N SKCP2738-5 that has 1,200 or more hours TIS. Thereafter, 
if interchanged between Model 269D and Model 269D Configuration A 
helicopters, remove from service any KAflex engine side drive shaft 
P/N SKCP2738-7 and any KAflex pulley side drive shaft P/N SKCP2738-5 
before accumulating 1,200 hours TIS.
    (2) Within 25 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 25 hours TIS, using a belt drive alignment tool 269T3303-003, 
inspect the lower pulley to engine alignment by engaging the tool on 
the drive shaft and inserting in the lower pulley bore. Rotate the 
tool 360[deg] around the drive shaft and inspect for interference. 
If there is any interference with the rotation of the tool, before 
further flight, adjust the engine elevation alignment to eliminate 
the interference.
    (3) Within 25 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 100 hours TIS:
    (i) Remove the drive shaft to adapter bolt and inspect the drive 
shaft alignment. Engage and disengage the splines a minimum of 3 
times by sliding the engine power output shaft in and out of the 
engine. Inspect the alignment at each 90[deg] interval by rotating 
the lower pulley with the power shaft disengaged. Determine whether 
the adapter slides on and off the drive shaft splines without spline 
engagement interference or resistance along the entire length of 
movement. If there is any spline engagement interference or 
resistance, before further flight, replace both the engine side and 
pulley side drive shafts.
    (ii) Inspect each drive shaft for a crack, any corrosion or 
pitting, a nick, a dent, and a scratch. If there is a crack, any 
corrosion or pitting, a nick, a dent, or a scratch that exceeds 
allowable limits, before further flight, replace both the engine 
side and pulley side drive shafts.
    (4) Within 25 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 400 hours TIS, remove the engine side drive shaft and pulley 
side drive shaft and perform the following:
    (i) Inspect each flex frame (frame) bolted joint (joint) for 
movement by hand. If there is any movement, before further flight, 
replace both the engine side and pulley side drive shafts.
    (ii) Visually inspect each joint for fretting corrosion (which 
might be indicated by metallic particles) and each frame and mount 
bolt torque stripe for movement. If there is any fretting corrosion 
or torque stripe movement, before further flight, replace both the 
engine side and pulley side drive shafts.
    (iii) Using a 10x or higher power magnifying glass, visually 
inspect each joint for fretting and for a crack around the bolt head 
and washer side, and around the nut and washer side. Also inspect 
both sides of each frame for a crack on the inside and outside 
corner radii and radii edge (four). If there is any fretting, a 
crack at any point over the full circumference (360[deg]) of the 
bolt head and washer side or the nut and washer side, or a crack in 
any of the corner radii edges, before further flight, replace both 
the engine side and pulley side drive shafts.
    (5) As an optional terminating action to the repetitive 
inspections in this AD, you may install KAflex engine side drive 
shaft P/N SKCP2738-9 and KAflex pulley side drive shaft P/N 
SKCP2738-101.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Send your proposal to: Michael Schwetz, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 
FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; 
telephone (781) 238-7761; 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.

[[Page 3944]]

(h) Additional Information

    Appendix B of Sikorsky S-330 Model 269D Helicopter Basic 
Handbook of Maintenance Instructions, No. CSP-D-2, dated February 1, 
1993, and revised October 15, 2014; Appendix B of Sikorsky S-330 
Model 269D Config. ``A'' Helicopter Basic Handbook of Maintenance 
Instructions, No. CSP-D-9, dated July 20, 2001, and revised October 
15, 2014; and Sikorsky 269D Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin DB-
052, Basic Issue, dated January 16, 2014, which are not incorporated 
by reference, contain additional information about the subject of 
this AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Engineering, 124 
Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-
416-4299; email [email protected]. You may review 
a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6310, Engine/
Transmission Coupling.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 17, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-01572 Filed 1-26-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P