[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 132 (Thursday, July 9, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41221-41223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14787]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0625; Product Identifier 2016-SW-007-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Various Restricted Category Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for various restricted category helicopters, originally manufactured by 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky), Model EH-60A, HH-60L, S-70, 
S-70A, S-70C, S-70C(M), S-70C(M1), and UH-60A. This proposed AD would 
require initial and recurring inspections of the main rotor (M/R) blade 
spindle cuff for a crack. This proposed AD is prompted by multiple 
reports of a cracked M/R blade spindle cuff. The proposed actions are 
intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 24, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0625; or in person at Docket Operations

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between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this proposed rule, contact 
your local Sikorsky Field Representative or Sikorsky's Service 
Engineering Group at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, 124 Quarry Road, 
Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S; email 
wcs_cust_service_eng.gr-sik@lmco.com. Operators may also log on to the 
Sikorsky 360 website at https://www.sikorsky360.com. You may view the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristopher Greer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone 781-238-
7799; email kristopher.greer@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. 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.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will file in the docket all comments received, as well 
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this 
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments received on or before the 
closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after 
the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light 
of the comments received.

Confidential Business Information

    Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial 
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by 
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), 
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to 
this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is 
customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and 
that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you 
clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page 
of your submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat 
such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will 
not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing 
CBI should be sent to Kristopher Greer, Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO 
Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1200 District 
Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone 781-238-7799; email 
kristopher.greer@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Discussion

    The FAA proposes to adopt a new AD for various restricted category 
helicopters, originally manufactured by Sikorsky, Model EH-60A, HH-60L, 
S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S-70C(M), S-70C(M1), and UH-60A, with an M/R blade 
spindle cuff part number 70150-09109-041 installed. This proposed AD 
would require initial and recurring inspections of the M/R blade 
spindle cuff for a crack.
    This proposed AD is prompted by multiple reports of a cracked M/R 
blade spindle cuff. In 2008, Sikorsky reported an M/R blade spindle 
cuff on a Model UH-60A helicopter that cracked across the lower inboard 
bolt holes. Investigation determined the crack was caused by a non-
conforming hole edge break, specifically a burr, introduced during an 
overhaul at a non-Sikorsky overhaul facility. Sikorsky issued Sikorsky 
Safety Advisory No. SSA-S70-08-002, dated December 11, 2008 (SSA-S70-
08-002), for Black Hawk Model H-60- and S-70-series helicopters to 
inform operators of the incident and recommend compliance with 
Sikorsky's preventative maintenance inspections. The safety advisory 
also recommended that operators with M/R blades overhauled by a non-
Sikorsky repair facility contact that facility to verify whether the 
hole edge radius requirement was met during the overhaul.
    In 2015, the FAA received an additional report of an M/R blade 
spindle cuff on a military model helicopter that cracked. Investigation 
from this reporting has revealed no anomalies at the crack initiation 
site. In each instance, a crack initiated at a bolt hole and spread to 
either an adjacent bolt hole or to the free edge. Due to design 
similarity, Model EH-60A, HH-60L, S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S-70C(M), S-
70C(M1), and UH-60A helicopters are all affected by this unsafe 
condition. The proposed actions are intended to detect a crack, prevent 
failure of an M/R blade spindle cuff, loss of an M/R blade, and loss of 
control of the helicopter.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is proposing this AD after evaluating all known relevant 
information and determining that an unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed SSA-S70-08-002. This service information 
recommends, for helicopters with M/R blades overhauled by non-Sikorsky 
M/R blade repair facilities, contacting the facilities to verify 
whether the hole edge radius requirement was met during cuff 
replacement. The safety advisory also recommends operators conduct 10 
hour/14 day visual inspections and follow the inspection procedures 
regarding sudden onset of low frequency vibration or an out of track 
condition.
    The FAA also reviewed Sikorsky Technical Manual Preventative 
Maintenance Services 10 Hour/14 Day (30 Hour/42 Day) Inspection 
Checklist TM 1-70-PMS-1, dated December 1, 2014, for Sikorsky Model S-
70 helicopters. This service information contains procedures for the 10 
hour/14 day and 30 hour/42 day inspections.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, using 10X or higher power 
magnification, visually inspecting each M/R blade spindle cuff for a 
crack, and replacing the M/R blade spindle cuff if there is a crack.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 204 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor

[[Page 41223]]

costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour.
    Inspecting the M/R blade spindle cuffs would take about 1 work-hour 
for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $17,340 for the U.S. 
fleet. Replacing an M/R blade spindle cuff would take about 175 work-
hours and required parts would cost about $10,000 for a total estimated 
replacement cost of $24,875 per M/R blade spindle cuff.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Various Restricted Category Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2020-0625; 
Product Identifier 2016-SW-007-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to various restricted category helicopters 
originally manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Model EH-
60A, HH-60L, S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S-70C(M), S-70C(M1), and UH-60A 
helicopters with a main rotor (M/R) blade spindle cuff part number 
70150-09109-041 installed; type certificate holders include but are 
not limited to ACE Aeronautics, LLC; BHI H60 Helicopters, LLC; 
Billings Flying Service Inc.; Carson Helicopters; Delta Enterprise; 
High Performance Helicopters Corp.; Northwest Rotorcraft LLC; 
Pickering Aviation, Inc.; PJ Helicopters Inc.; Sikorsky Aircraft 
Corporation; SixtyHawk TC, LLC; Skydance Blackhawk Operations, LLC; 
Timberline Helicopters, Inc.; and Unical Aviation, Inc.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in an M/R blade 
spindle cuff. This condition could result in failure of an M/R blade 
spindle cuff, loss of an M/R blade, and loss of control of the 
helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by August 24, 2020.

(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

    Before further flight, unless already done within the last 10 
hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 10 hours TIS from the last inspection:
    (1) Using 10X or higher power magnification, visually inspect 
each M/R blade spindle cuff for a crack. Pay particular attention to 
the area around each bolt hole and the upper and lower surfaces of 
the leading and trailing edges of each M/R blade spindle cuff.
    (2) If there is a crack, replace the M/R blade spindle cuff 
before further flight.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Send your proposal to: Kristopher Greer, Aerospace 
Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 
FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; 
telephone 781-238-7799; email kristopher.greer@faa.gov.
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests 
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) Additional Information

    Sikorsky Safety Advisory No. SSA-S70-08-002, dated December 11, 
2008, and Sikorsky Technical Manual Preventative Maintenance 
Services 10 Hour/14 Day (30 Hour/42 Day) Inspection Checklist 1-70-
PMS-1, dated December 1, 2014, which are not incorporated by 
reference, contain additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact your 
local Sikorsky Field Representative or Sikorsky's Service 
Engineering Group at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, 124 Quarry Road, 
Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S; email 
wcs_cust_service_eng.gr-sik@lmco.com. Operators may also log on to 
the Sikorsky 360 website at https://www.sikorsky360.com. You may 
view a copy of information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220, Main Rotor 
Head--Main Rotor Spindle Cuff.

    Issued on July 2, 2020.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-14787 Filed 7-8-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


