81_FR_85351 81 FR 85124 - Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters

81 FR 85124 - Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 227 (November 25, 2016)

Page Range85124-85126
FR Document2016-27771

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-76D helicopters. This AD requires revising the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) to prohibit Barometric Altitude Hold (ALT) mode beyond a certain rate of climb or descent. This AD is prompted by a report of the autopilot being unable to maintain level flight during certain flight conditions. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a significant pilot workload increase, pilot disorientation, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 227 (Friday, November 25, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 227 (Friday, November 25, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 85124-85126]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27771]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9281; Directorate Identifier 2016-SW-033-AD; 
Amendment 39-18717; AD 2016-23-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-76D helicopters. This AD requires 
revising the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) to prohibit Barometric 
Altitude Hold (ALT) mode beyond a certain rate of climb or descent. 
This AD is prompted by a report of the autopilot being unable to 
maintain level flight during certain flight conditions. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent a significant pilot 
workload increase, pilot disorientation, and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 12, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of December 12, 
2016.
    We must receive comments on this AD by January 24, 2017.

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
9281; 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 AD, any incorporated-by-reference service information, 
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 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 review the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
9281.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Coffey, Flight Test Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 
FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone 
(781) 238-7173; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, 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 resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, 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 them 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 rulemaking during the 
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may 
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

[[Page 85125]]

Discussion

    We are adopting a new AD for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-
76D helicopters. This AD requires revising the ``Automatic Flight 
Control System'' section of the RFM Limitations by inserting a 
limitation prohibiting the use of the ALT mode during a rate of climb 
or descent greater than 1,000 feet/minute (fpm). This AD is prompted by 
a report of the autopilot being unable to maintain level flight in 
certain flight conditions. To explore the report further, the FAA 
conducted additional flight tests, which revealed that when the 
helicopter is at density altitudes greater than 13,000 feet and the 
autopilot is commanding either a climb or descent at rates greater than 
1,000 fpm, and the ALT HOLD mode is then engaged, the autopilot is 
unable to maintain level flight when large collective inputs are 
applied. These conditions saturate the stability augmentation system 
(SAS) actuators, subsequently providing insufficient control response 
during the collective input. As a result, the helicopter may experience 
a dynamic response with roll excursions greater than 50 degrees of bank 
angle and yaw excursions greater than 70 degrees of heading. This 
condition could result in a significant increase in pilot workload, 
pilot disorientation, and loss of control of the helicopter.

FAA's Determination

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

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Sikorsky issued S-76D RFM SA S76D-RFM-000, Temporary Revision No. 
7, approved May 19, 2016, which revises the Limitations section by 
prohibiting ALT mode during a rate of climb or descent greater than 
1,000 fpm.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), revising 
the Limitations section of the RFM by inserting a limitation stating 
that ALT mode shall not be engaged with a rate of climb or descent 
greater than 1,000 fpm.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD to be an interim action. The design approval 
holder is planning to develop a modification that will address the 
unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is 
developed, approved, and available, we might consider additional 
rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 12 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per work-
hour, revising the RFM will require 0.5 work-hour, for cost of about 
$43 per helicopter and $516 for the U.S. fleet.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adopting 
these AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions 
needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we find that 
the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment 
prior to the adoption of this rule because the unsafe condition can 
adversely affect control of the helicopter, and the required corrective 
actions must be accomplished within 10 hours TIS.
    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and contrary to 
the public interest and that good cause exists for making this 
amendment effective in less than 30 days.

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 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, 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 
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 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.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2016-23-10 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-18717; Docket 
No. FAA-2016-9281; Directorate Identifier 2016-SW-033-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model S-76D helicopters, certificated in any 
category.

 (b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an inability of the 
autopilot to maintain level flight. This condition could result in a 
significant increase in pilot workload, pilot disorientation, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

[[Page 85126]]

 (c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective December 12, 2016.

 (d) 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.

 (e) Required Actions

    Within 10 hours time-in-service, revise Section 1 Limitations, 
``Automatic Flight Control System'' section, of the Rotorcraft 
Flight Manual by one of the following methods:
    (1) Insert Sikorsky S-76D SA S76D-RFM-000, Temporary Revision 
No. 7, approved May 19, 2016; or
    (2) Insert a copy of this AD; or
    (3) Make pen-and-ink changes to add the information in Figure 1 
to paragraph (e) of this AD.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO16.000

 (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: John Coffey, 
Flight Test Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, 
Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-7173; 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.

 (g) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2210, Autopilot 
System.

 (h) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Sikorsky S-76D SA S76D-RFM-000, Temporary Revision No. 7, 
approved May 19, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Sikorsky 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].
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 4, 2016.
Lance T. Gant,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-27771 Filed 11-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                           85124            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 227 / Friday, November 25, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                              (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the           DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                          Federal holidays. The AD docket
                                           effective date of this AD, for any requirement                                                                contains this AD, any incorporated-by-
                                           in this AD to obtain corrective actions from            Federal Aviation Administration                       reference service information, the
                                           a manufacturer, the action must be                                                                            economic evaluation, any comments
                                           accomplished using a method approved by                 14 CFR Part 39                                        received, and other information. The
                                           the Manager, New York ACO, ANE–170,
                                                                                                   [Docket No. FAA–2016–9281; Directorate                street address for the Docket Operations
                                           Engine and Propeller Directorate, FAA; or
                                           Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or              Identifier 2016–SW–033–AD; Amendment                  Office (telephone 800–647–5527) is in
                                           Bombardier, Inc.’s TCCA Design Approval                 39–18717; AD 2016–23–10]                              the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
                                           Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO,             RIN 2120–AA64                                         be available in the AD docket shortly
                                           the approval must include the DAO-                                                                            after receipt.
                                           authorized signature.                                   Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky                       For service information identified in
                                           (m) Related Information
                                                                                                   Aircraft Corporation Helicopters                      this final rule, contact Sikorsky Aircraft
                                              (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing                    AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                             Corporation, Customer Service
                                           Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian               Administration (FAA), DOT.                            Engineering, 124 Quarry Road,
                                           Airworthiness Directive CF–2016–08,                     ACTION: Final rule; request for
                                                                                                                                                         Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1–800–
                                           effective March 30, 2016, for related                   comments.                                             Winged–S or 203–416–4299; email:
                                           information. This MCAI may be found in the                                                                    wcs_cust_service_eng.gr-sik@lmco.com.
                                           AD docket on the Internet at http://                    SUMMARY:   We are adopting a new                      You may review the referenced service
                                           www.regulations.gov by searching for and                airworthiness directive (AD) for                      information at the FAA, Office of the
                                           locating Docket No. FAA–2016–7427.                      Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S–                Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
                                              (2) Service information identified in this           76D helicopters. This AD requires                     10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321,
                                           AD that is not incorporated by reference is             revising the rotorcraft flight manual                 Fort Worth, TX 76177. It is also
                                           available at the addresses specified in                 (RFM) to prohibit Barometric Altitude                 available on the Internet at http://
                                           paragraphs (n)(3) and (n)(4) of this AD.                Hold (ALT) mode beyond a certain rate                 www.regulations.gov by searching for
                                           (n) Material Incorporated by Reference                  of climb or descent. This AD is                       and locating Docket No. FAA–2016–
                                              (1) The Director of the Federal Register             prompted by a report of the autopilot                 9281.
                                           approved the incorporation by reference                 being unable to maintain level flight
                                           (IBR) of the service information listed in this         during certain flight conditions. The                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:      John
                                           paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR               actions specified by this AD are                      Coffey, Flight Test Engineer, Boston
                                           part 51.                                                intended to prevent a significant pilot               Aircraft Certification Office, Engine &
                                              (2) You must use this service information            workload increase, pilot disorientation,              Propeller Directorate, FAA, 1200
                                           as applicable to do the actions required by             and subsequent loss of control of the                 District Avenue, Burlington,
                                           this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.            helicopter.                                           Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781)
                                              (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R–27–
                                                                                                   DATES:  This AD becomes effective                     238–7173; email john.coffey@faa.gov.
                                           160, Revision D, dated October 22, 2015.
                                                                                                   December 12, 2016.                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                              (ii) Bombardier CL–600–2B19
                                           Airworthiness Requirements Temporary
                                                                                                     The Director of the Federal Register
                                                                                                   approved the incorporation by reference               Comments Invited
                                           Revision 2B–2245, dated September 16, 2014.
                                              (iii) Bombardier CL–600–2B19                         of a certain document listed in this AD                  This AD is a final rule that involves
                                           Airworthiness Requirements Temporary                    as of December 12, 2016.
                                                                                                                                                         requirements affecting flight safety, and
                                           Revision 2B–2186, dated August 8, 2011.                   We must receive comments on this
                                                                                                                                                         we did not provide you with notice and
                                              (3) For service information identified in            AD by January 24, 2017.
                                                                                                                                                         an opportunity to provide your
                                           this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Côte-           ADDRESSES: You may send comments by                   comments prior to it becoming effective.
                                           Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9,               any of the following methods:                         However, we invite you to participate in
                                           Canada; telephone 514–855–5000; fax 514–                  • Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to                 this rulemaking by submitting written
                                           855–7401; email thd.crj@                                http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                           aero.bombardier.com; Internet http://                                                                         comments, data, or views. We also
                                                                                                   online instructions for sending your                  invite comments relating to the
                                           www.bombardier.com.                                     comments electronically.
                                                                                                                                                         economic, environmental, energy, or
                                              (4) You may view this service information              • Fax: 202–493–2251.
                                           at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,                                                                   federalism impacts that resulted from
                                                                                                     • Mail: Send comments to the U.S.
                                           1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For                                                                         adopting this AD. The most helpful
                                                                                                   Department of Transportation, Docket
                                           information on the availability of this
                                                                                                   Operations, M–30, West Building                       comments reference a specific portion of
                                           material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221.
                                                                                                   Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200                      the AD, explain the reason for any
                                              (5) You may view this service information                                                                  recommended change, and include
                                           that is incorporated by reference at the
                                                                                                   New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
                                                                                                   DC 20590–0001.                                        supporting data. To ensure the docket
                                           National Archives and Records                                                                                 does not contain duplicate comments,
                                           Administration (NARA). For information on                 • Hand Delivery: Deliver to the
                                                                                                   ‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5                 commenters should send only one copy
                                           the availability of this material at NARA, call
                                                                                                   p.m., Monday through Friday, except                   of written comments, or if comments are
                                           202–741–6030, or go to: http://
                                                                                                   Federal holidays.                                     filed electronically, commenters should
                                           www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-
                                           locations.html.                                                                                               submit them only one time. We will file
                                                                                                   Examining the AD Docket                               in the docket all comments that we
                                             Issued in Renton, Washington, on                                                                            receive, as well as a report summarizing
                                                                                                     You may examine the AD docket on
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                           November 8, 2016.                                                                                             each substantive public contact with
                                                                                                   the Internet at http://
                                           Michael Kaszycki,                                       www.regulations.gov by searching for                  FAA personnel concerning this
                                           Acting Manager, Transport Airplane                      and locating Docket No. FAA–2016–                     rulemaking during the comment period.
                                           Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.            9281; or in person at the Docket                      We will consider all the comments we
                                           [FR Doc. 2016–27643 Filed 11–23–16; 8:45 am]            Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5                receive and may conduct additional
                                           BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                  p.m., Monday through Friday, except                   rulemaking based on those comments.


                                      VerDate Sep<11>2014   14:00 Nov 23, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00020   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\25NOR1.SGM   25NOR1


                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 227 / Friday, November 25, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                             85125

                                           Discussion                                              Interim Action                                        products identified in this rulemaking
                                                                                                     We consider this AD to be an interim                action.
                                              We are adopting a new AD for
                                           Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S–                  action. The design approval holder is                 Regulatory Findings
                                           76D helicopters. This AD requires                       planning to develop a modification that
                                                                                                                                                           We determined that this AD will not
                                           revising the ‘‘Automatic Flight Control                 will address the unsafe condition
                                                                                                                                                         have federalism implications under
                                           System’’ section of the RFM Limitations                 identified in this AD. Once this
                                                                                                                                                         Executive Order 13132. This AD will
                                           by inserting a limitation prohibiting the               modification is developed, approved,
                                                                                                                                                         not have a substantial direct effect on
                                           use of the ALT mode during a rate of                    and available, we might consider
                                                                                                                                                         the States, on the relationship between
                                           climb or descent greater than 1,000 feet/               additional rulemaking.
                                                                                                                                                         the national Government and the States,
                                           minute (fpm). This AD is prompted by                    Costs of Compliance                                   or on the distribution of power and
                                           a report of the autopilot being unable to                                                                     responsibilities among the various
                                           maintain level flight in certain flight                    We estimate that this AD will affect
                                                                                                   12 helicopters of U.S. Registry. We                   levels of government.
                                           conditions. To explore the report                                                                               For the reasons discussed, I certify
                                           further, the FAA conducted additional                   estimate that operators may incur the
                                                                                                   following costs in order to comply with               that this AD:
                                           flight tests, which revealed that when                                                                          1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
                                           the helicopter is at density altitudes                  this AD. At an average labor rate of $85
                                                                                                   per work-hour, revising the RFM will                  action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
                                           greater than 13,000 feet and the                                                                                2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under
                                           autopilot is commanding either a climb                  require 0.5 work-hour, for cost of about
                                                                                                   $43 per helicopter and $516 for the U.S.              DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
                                           or descent at rates greater than 1,000                                                                        (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
                                           fpm, and the ALT HOLD mode is then                      fleet.
                                                                                                                                                           3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in
                                           engaged, the autopilot is unable to                     FAA’s Justification and Determination                 Alaska to the extent that it justifies
                                           maintain level flight when large                        of the Effective Date                                 making a regulatory distinction; and
                                           collective inputs are applied. These                                                                            4. Will not have a significant
                                           conditions saturate the stability                          Providing an opportunity for public
                                                                                                   comments prior to adopting these AD                   economic impact, positive or negative,
                                           augmentation system (SAS) actuators,                                                                          on a substantial number of small entities
                                           subsequently providing insufficient                     requirements would delay
                                                                                                   implementing the safety actions needed                under the criteria of the Regulatory
                                           control response during the collective                                                                        Flexibility Act.
                                           input. As a result, the helicopter may                  to correct this known unsafe condition.
                                                                                                   Therefore, we find that the risk to the                 We prepared an economic evaluation
                                           experience a dynamic response with roll                                                                       of the estimated costs to comply with
                                           excursions greater than 50 degrees of                   flying public justifies waiving notice
                                                                                                   and comment prior to the adoption of                  this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
                                           bank angle and yaw excursions greater
                                           than 70 degrees of heading. This                        this rule because the unsafe condition                List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
                                           condition could result in a significant                 can adversely affect control of the
                                                                                                                                                           Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
                                           increase in pilot workload, pilot                       helicopter, and the required corrective
                                                                                                                                                         safety, Incorporation by reference,
                                           disorientation, and loss of control of the              actions must be accomplished within 10
                                                                                                                                                         Safety.
                                           helicopter.                                             hours TIS.
                                                                                                      Since an unsafe condition exists that              Adoption of the Amendment
                                           FAA’s Determination                                     requires the immediate adoption of this                 Accordingly, under the authority
                                                                                                   AD, we determined that notice and                     delegated to me by the Administrator,
                                             We are issuing this AD because we
                                                                                                   opportunity for public comment before                 the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as
                                           evaluated all the relevant information
                                                                                                   issuing this AD are impracticable and                 follows:
                                           and determined the unsafe condition
                                                                                                   contrary to the public interest and that
                                           described previously is likely to exist or
                                                                                                   good cause exists for making this                     PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
                                           develop in other helicopters of this
                                                                                                   amendment effective in less than 30                   DIRECTIVES
                                           same type design.
                                                                                                   days.
                                           Related Service Information Under 1                                                                           ■ 1. The authority citation for part 39
                                                                                                   Authority for This Rulemaking
                                           CFR Part 51                                                                                                   continues to read as follows:
                                                                                                      Title 49 of the United States Code                     Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
                                              Sikorsky issued S–76D RFM SA                         specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
                                           S76D–RFM–000, Temporary Revision                        rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,                 § 39.13    [Amended]
                                           No. 7, approved May 19, 2016, which                     section 106, describes the authority of
                                           revises the Limitations section by                                                                            ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
                                                                                                   the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII:                the following new airworthiness
                                           prohibiting ALT mode during a rate of                   Aviation Programs,’’ describes in more
                                           climb or descent greater than 1,000 fpm.                                                                      directive (AD):
                                                                                                   detail the scope of the Agency’s
                                              This service information is reasonably               authority.                                            2016–23–10 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation:
                                           available because the interested parties                   We are issuing this rulemaking under                   Amendment 39–18717; Docket No.
                                           have access to it through their normal                                                                            FAA–2016–9281; Directorate Identifier
                                                                                                   the authority described in ‘‘Subtitle VII,                2016–SW–033–AD.
                                           course of business or by the means                      Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701:
                                           identified in the ADDRESSES section.                    General requirements.’’ Under that                    (a) Applicability
                                           AD Requirements                                         section, Congress charges the FAA with                  This AD applies to Model S–76D
                                                                                                   promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in            helicopters, certificated in any category.
                                             This AD requires, within 10 hours                     air commerce by prescribing regulations               (b) Unsafe Condition
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                           time-in-service (TIS), revising the                     for practices, methods, and procedures
                                                                                                                                                            This AD defines the unsafe condition as an
                                           Limitations section of the RFM by                       the Administrator finds necessary for                 inability of the autopilot to maintain level
                                           inserting a limitation stating that ALT                 safety in air commerce. This regulation               flight. This condition could result in a
                                           mode shall not be engaged with a rate                   is within the scope of that authority                 significant increase in pilot workload, pilot
                                           of climb or descent greater than 1,000                  because it addresses an unsafe condition              disorientation, and subsequent loss of control
                                           fpm.                                                    that is likely to exist or develop on                 of the helicopter.



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                                           85126            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 227 / Friday, November 25, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                           (c) Effective Date                                      specified compliance time unless it has                 (1) Insert Sikorsky S–76D SA S76D–RFM–
                                                                                                   already been accomplished prior to that time.         000, Temporary Revision No. 7, approved
                                             This AD becomes effective December 12,
                                           2016.                                                   (e) Required Actions                                  May 19, 2016; or
                                                                                                                                                           (2) Insert a copy of this AD; or
                                           (d) Compliance                                             Within 10 hours time-in-service, revise
                                                                                                                                                           (3) Make pen-and-ink changes to add the
                                                                                                   Section 1 Limitations, ‘‘Automatic Flight
                                             You are responsible for performing each               Control System’’ section, of the Rotorcraft           information in Figure 1 to paragraph (e) of
                                           action required by this AD within the                   Flight Manual by one of the following                 this AD.
                                                                                                   methods:




                                           (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance                     (5) You may view this service information           inspections. This AD was prompted by
                                           (AMOCs)                                                 that is incorporated by reference at the              reports of new occurrences of loss of
                                              (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft                     National Archives and Records                         yaw control due to failure of the control
                                           Certification Office, FAA, may approve                  Administration (NARA). For information on
                                                                                                                                                         rod bearing. This AD requires checking
                                           AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to:               the availability of this material at NARA, call
                                                                                                   (202) 741–6030, or go to: http://                     the TGB oil level and replacing the
                                           John Coffey, Flight Test Engineer, Boston                                                                     bearing with a new part-numbered
                                           Aircraft Certification Office, Engine &                 www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-
                                                                                                   locations.html.                                       bearing. These actions are intended to
                                           Propeller Directorate, FAA, 1200 District
                                                                                                                                                         detect and prevent damage to the
                                           Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803;                   Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November
                                           telephone (781) 238–7173; email                         4, 2016.                                              bearing resulting in end play, loss of tail
                                           john.coffey@faa.gov.                                                                                          rotor pitch control, and subsequent loss
                                                                                                   Lance T. Gant,
                                              (2) For operations conducted under a 14                                                                    of control of the helicopter.
                                                                                                   Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
                                           CFR part 119 operating certificate or under             Certification Service.                                DATES: This AD becomes effective
                                           14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that                                                                    December 12, 2016.
                                           you notify your principal inspector, or                 [FR Doc. 2016–27771 Filed 11–23–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                           We must receive comments on this
                                           lacking a principal inspector, the manager of           BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                                                                                                                         AD by January 24, 2017.
                                           the local flight standards district office or
                                           certificate holding district office before                                                                    ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
                                           operating any aircraft complying with this              DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                          any of the following methods:
                                           AD through an AMOC.                                                                                             • Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to
                                                                                                   Federal Aviation Administration                       http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                           (g) Subject
                                                                                                                                                         online instructions for sending your
                                             Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)               14 CFR Part 39                                        comments electronically.
                                           Code: 2210, Autopilot System.                                                                                   • Fax: 202–493–2251.
                                                                                                   [Docket No. FAA–2016–9396; Directorate
                                           (h) Material Incorporated by Reference                  Identifier 2016–SW–034–AD; Amendment                    • Mail: Send comments to the U.S.
                                              (1) The Director of the Federal Register             39–18712; AD 2016–23–05]                              Department of Transportation, Docket
                                           approved the incorporation by reference of                                                                    Operations, M–30, West Building
                                                                                                   RIN 2120–AA64                                         Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
                                           the service information listed in this
                                           paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
                                                                                                   Airworthiness Directives; Airbus                      New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
                                           part 51.                                                                                                      DC 20590–0001.
                                                                                                   Helicopters (Previously Eurocopter
                                              (2) You must use this service information
                                                                                                   France) Helicopters                                     • Hand Delivery: Deliver to the
                                           as applicable to do the actions required by                                                                   ‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5
                                           this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
                                                                                                   AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                             p.m., Monday through Friday, except
                                              (i) Sikorsky S–76D SA S76D–RFM–000,
                                           Temporary Revision No. 7, approved May 19,              Administration (FAA), Department of                   Federal holidays.
                                           2016.                                                   Transportation (DOT).
                                                                                                                                                         Examining the AD Docket
                                              (ii) Reserved.                                       ACTION: Final rule; request for
                                              (3) For Sikorsky service information                 comments.                                               You may examine the AD docket on
                                           identified in this AD, contact Sikorsky                                                                       the Internet at http://
                                           Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service                  SUMMARY:  We are superseding                          www.regulations.gov by searching for
                                           Engineering, 124 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT              Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007–25–                 and locating Docket No. FAA–2016–
                                           06611; telephone 1–800–Winged–S or 203–                 08 for Eurocopter France (now Airbus                  9396; or in person at the Docket
                                           416–4299; email: wcs_cust_service_eng.gr-               Helicopters) Model SA–365N1, AS–                      Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                           sik@lmco.com.
                                                                                                   365N2, AS 365 N3, SA–366G1, EC 155B,                  p.m., Monday through Friday, except
                                              (4) You may view this service information
                                           at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,                 and EC155B1 helicopters. AD 2007–25–                  Federal holidays. The AD docket
                                           Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,                 08 required checking the tail rotor                   contains this AD, the European Aviation
                                           Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For                  gearbox (TGB) oil, inspecting the                     Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the
                                           information on the availability of this                 magnetic plug, and either replacing the               economic evaluation, any comments
                                                                                                                                                                                                       ER25NO16.000</GPH>




                                           material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.               TGB or performing additional                          received, and other information. The


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Document Created: 2016-11-23 23:17:32
Document Modified: 2016-11-23 23:17:32
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule; request for comments.
DatesThis AD becomes effective December 12, 2016.
ContactJohn Coffey, Flight Test Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller Directorate, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-7173; email [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 85124 
RIN Number2120-AA64
CFR AssociatedAir Transportation; Aircraft; Aviation Safety; Incorporation by Reference and Safety

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