[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 100 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28321-28322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12855]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-SW-34-AD; Amendment 39-10028; AD 97-10-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft-Manufactured Model S-
64F Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to Sikorsky Aircraft-manufactured Model S-64F helicopters,
that requires inspections, and replacement, if necessary, of the main
gearbox second stage lower planetary plate (plate). This amendment is
prompted by two incidents in which the plate was found cracked. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the
plate due to fatigue cracking, which could lead to failure of the main
gearbox and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective June 27, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 27, 1997.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Erickson Air-Crane Co., 3100 Willow Springs Rd., P.O. Box
3247, Central Point, Oregon 97502. This information may be examined at
the FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,
Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register,
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Uday Garadi, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5114, fax
(817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is
applicable to Sikorsky Aircraft-manufactured Model S-64F helicopters
was published in the Federal Register on October 11, 1996 (61 FR
53337). That action proposed to require an inspection, prior to the
first flight of each day, of the main oil filter for the main gearboxes
containing a plate with more than 2,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) for
magnesium contamination and, if magnesium contamination is present,
replacement of the main gearbox assembly. For main gearbox assemblies
containing a plate with more than 2,000 hours TIS, that action also
proposed to require an inspection of the plate within the next 100
hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS; and replacement of the plate if
necessary. Finally, that action proposed to require, at the next
overhaul of the main gearbox assembly, inspection and rework of plates
that are not cracked.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the
adoption of the rule as proposed with minor editorial changes, and a
correction to the estimated cost impact to include the number of work
hours to inspect the main gearbox oil filter pack and the number of
work hours to rework the plate. The FAA has determined that these
changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor
increase the scope of the AD.
The FAA estimates that 6 helicopters of U.S. registry will be
affected by this proposed AD, that it will take approximately 8 work
hours per helicopter to accomplish the borescope inspection, 1 work
hour to inspect the main gearbox oil filter pack, 140 work hours to
remove and replace the main gearbox assembly, if necessary, and 20 work
hours to rework the plate; and that the average labor rate is $60 per
work hour. Required parts will cost $8,000 per helicopter. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $108,480; $2,880 to accomplish the borescope
inspections, and $105,600 to replace the plate in the main gearbox
assembly in all 6 helicopters, if necessary. Daily preflight
inspections of the main gearbox oil filter pack will cost $60 per
helicopter for each day flight is conducted.
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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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, Incorporation by
reference, 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.
[[Page 28322]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
AD 97-10-15 Erickson Air-Crane Co: Amendment 39-10028. Docket No.
95-SW-34-AD.
Applicability: Sikorsky Aircraft-manufactured Model S-64F
helicopters, with main gearbox second stage lower planetary plate,
part number (P/N) 6435-20516-101, 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
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 (c) 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 failure of the main gearbox second stage lower
planetary plate (plate) due to fatigue cracking, which could lead to
failure of the main gearbox and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) For main gearbox assemblies containing plate, P/N 6435-
20516-101, with 2,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or more:
(1) Prior to the first flight of each day, inspect the main oil
filter for magnesium contamination. If magnesium contamination is
discovered, replace the main gearbox assembly.
(2) Within the next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of
this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS,
inspect, and, if necessary, replace the main gearbox assembly in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Section 2,
Paragraph B, of Erickson Service Bulletin No. 64F35-2A dated
November 8, 1995.
(b) At the next overhaul of the main gearbox assembly, inspect
and rework the plate, P/N 6435-20516-101, in accordance with Section
2, Paragraphs C(1) and (3) through (11) of Erickson Service Bulletin
No. 64F35-2A, dated November 8, 1995.
(c) 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, Rotorcraft Certification Office,
Rotorcraft 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, Rotorcraft Certification
Office.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.
(d) 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.
(e) The inspection and rework shall be done in accordance with
Erickson Air-Crane Co. Service Bulletin No. 64F35-2A, dated November
8, 1995. This incorporation by reference was approved by the
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Erickson Air-Crane
Co., 3100 Willow Springs Rd., P.O. Box 3247, Central Point, Oregon
97502. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Assistant
Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on June 27, 1997.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 9, 1997.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-12855 Filed 5-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
