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PROPOSED AD SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: Docket No. FAA-2017-0491; Directorate Identifier 2016-SW-020-AD.
(a) APPLICABILITY

    This AD applies to Model  S-76A, S-76B, S-76C, and S-76D  helicopters,
    serial numbers  up to  and including  761075, with  a main rotor (M/R)
    servo pushrod  (pushrod) assembly  part number  (P/N) 76400-00034-059,
    76400-00014-074,   76400-00014-076,   or   76400-00014-077  installed,
    certificated in any category.

    NOTE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS AD: M/R pushrod P/N 76400-00034-059 is
    included in the Applicability  section of AD 2015-19-51,  Amendment 39
    -18300 (80 FR  65128, October 26,  2015). This AD  does not affect  AD
    2015-19-51.

(b) UNSAFE CONDITION

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a loose jamnut. This condition
    could result  in failure  of a  pushrod assembly,  loss of  M/R flight
    control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) COMMENTS DUE DATE

    We must receive comments by August 4, 2017.

(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 300 hours time-in-service:

(1) Inspect  the control  rod of  each pushrod  assembly (control  rod) to
    determine whether 0.020  inch diameter lockwire  can pass through  the
    inspection hole.

(i) If  the lockwire  passes through  the inspection  hole, before further
    flight, replace the pushrod assembly.

(ii) If the  lockwire does not  pass through the  inspection hole, inspect
     the jamnut to determine whether it is seated against the control  rod
     and whether it can be turned with finger pressure.

(A) If the jamnut is not seated  against the control rod or can be  turned
    with  finger  pressure,  before further  flight,  replace  the pushrod
    assembly.

(B) If the jamnut is seated  against the control rod and cannot  be turned
    with finger pressure, using a  pushrod tool, apply 140 inch-pounds  of
    torque to the jamnut.

(2) Apply  two  slippage  marks  across each  control  rod and  jamnut  as
    follows:

(i) Clean the area where a slippage mark is to be applied.

(ii) Apply two slippage marks across the control rod and jamnut,  parallel
     and on opposite sides of  each other. Each slippage mark  must extend
     at  least  0.5 inch  onto  the control  rod  and must  not  cover the
     inspection hole. Figure 1 (Sheet 2) of Sikorsky S-76 Helicopter Alert
     Service  Bulletin 76-67-58,  Basic Issue,  dated  November  19, 2015,
     illustrates a slippage mark across a control rod and jamnut.

(f) ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF COMPLIANCE (AMOC)


(1) The Manager,  Boston Aircraft Certification  Office, FAA, may  approve
    AMOCs for this AD. Send  your proposal to: Blaine Williams,  Aerospace
    Engineer,  Boston Aircraft  Certification Office,  Engine &  Propeller
    Directorate, 1200  District Avenue,  Burlington, Massachusetts  01803;
    telephone (781) 238-7161; email blaine.williams@faa.gov.

(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) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    Sikorksy S-76 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 76-67-58, Basic Issue,
    dated  November  19, 2015,  which  is not  incorporated  by reference,
    contains  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:
    wcs_cust_service_eng.gr-sik@lmco.com.  You  may   review  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: 6700, Rotorcraft  Flight
    Control.

Issued  in Fort  Worth, Texas,  on May  17, 2017.  Scott A.  Horn, Acting
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 4, 2017.
PREAMBLE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0491; Directorate Identifier 2016-SW-020-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-76A, S-76B, S-76C, and
S-76D helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting the main
rotor (M/R) servo pushrod (pushrod) assembly and applying slippage
marks. This proposed AD is prompted by an accident of a Sikorsky Model
S-76C helicopter caused by a failed pushrod assembly. The proposed
actions are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 4, 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-2017-
0491; or in person at the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the economic evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

For service information identified in this proposed rule, contact
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Engineering, 124 Quarry
Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-416-4299;
email: wcs_cust_service_eng.gr-sik@lmco.com. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Blaine Williams, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller Directorate,
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781)
238-7161; email blaine.williams@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited


We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.

We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay.
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion


We propose to adopt a new AD for Sikorsky Model S-76A, S-76B, S-
76C, and S-76D helicopters with a serial number up to and including
761075 and with an M/R pushrod assembly part number (P/N) 76400-00034-
059, 76400-00014-074, 76400-00014-076, or 76400-00014-077 installed.
This proposed AD would not affect the requirements of AD 2015-19-51,
which was issued as an emergency AD on September 14, 2015, and
published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2015 (80 FR 65128). AD
2015-19-51 applies to Sikorsky Model S-76A, S-76B, S-76C, and S-76D
helicopters with M/R pushrod assembly P/N 76400-00034-059 or tail rotor
pushrod assembly P/N 76400-00014-071. AD 2015-19-51 requires inspecting
the pushrod assemblies and jamnuts, and applying slippage marks across
the pushrod tubes and jamnuts. This new proposed AD would apply to M/R
pushrod assembly P/N 76400-00034-059 as well as M/R pushrod assemblies
that are installed farther away from the servo actuators. Further
flight testing has revealed additional data regarding the vibration
environment of these M/R pushrod assemblies making it necessary to
inspect the pushrod assemblies and jamnuts and apply torque to the jamnuts.

This proposed AD would require inspecting the M/R forward, aft, and
lateral pushrod assembly control rods and jamnuts, applying torque to
the jamnuts, and applying slippage marks across the control rods and
jamnuts. This proposed AD is prompted by an accident of a Sikorsky
Model S-76C helicopter caused by a loose jamnut and subsequent failure
of the pushrod assembly. Separation of the control rod and the rod end
was found. The proposed actions are intended to detect a loose jamnut
and prevent failure of the pushrod assembly, loss of M/R flight
control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

FAA's Determination

We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant
information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is
likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type designs.

Related Service Information


We reviewed Sikorksy S-76 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 76-67-
58, Basic Issue, dated November 19, 2015 (ASB), which specifies a one-
time inspection of the M/R forward, aft, and lateral pushrod assemblies
and jamnuts for proper installation, condition, and security. If a
pushrod or jamnut does not meet criteria specified in the inspections,
the ASB specifies replacing the assembly. The ASB also specifies
applying torque to each jamnut and applying two slippage marks across
each control rod and jamnut.

Proposed AD Requirements


This proposed AD would require, within 300 hours time-in-service,
inspecting each pushrod assembly by inspecting the position of the rod
end in the control rod. If the lockwire passes through the inspection
hole, this proposed AD would require replacing the pushrod assembly. If
the lockwire does not pass through the inspection hole, this proposed
AD would require inspecting the jamnut to determine seating position
against the control rod and whether the jamnut can be turned with
finger pressure. If the jamnut is not seated against the control rod or
is loose, this proposed AD would require replacing the pushrod
assembly. If the jamnut is seated against the control rod and cannot be
turned with finger pressure, this proposed AD would require applying
140 inch-pounds of torque to the jamnut while using a pushrod tool.
This proposed AD would also require, both for those pushrod assemblies
that are replaced and for those that pass the inspections, applying two
slippage marks across each control rod and jamnut.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information


The Sikorsky ASB specifies returning any removed M/R pushrod
assembly to Sikorsky. This proposed AD does not require returning any
parts to Sikorsky.

Costs of Compliance


We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 198 helicopters of
U.S. Registry.

We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order
to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour.
Inspecting the M/R pushrod assemblies would take about 2.2 work-hours
for an estimated cost of $187 per helicopter and $37,026 for the U.S.
fleet. Replacing an M/R pushrod assembly would take about 2 work-hours
for a labor cost of $170. Parts to replace M/R pushrod assembly P/N
76400-00034-059 would cost about $2,411 for a total estimated replacement
cost of $2,581.

Parts to replace M/R pushrod assembly P/N 76400-00014-074 would
cost about $2,224 for a total estimated replacement cost of $2,394.
Parts to replace M/R pushrod assembly P/N 76400-00014-076 would cost
about $2,488 for a total estimated replacement cost of $2,658. Parts to
replace M/R pushrod assembly P/N 76400-00014-077 would cost about
$2,414 for a total estimated replacement cost of $2,584. It takes a
minimal amount of time to apply the slippage marks for a negligible cost.

Authority for This Rulemaking


Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. "Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs," describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.

We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
"Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements." Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings


We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

For the reasons discussed, I certify this proposed regulation:

1. Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866;

2. Is not a "significant rule" under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);

3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and

4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39


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

The Proposed Amendment


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

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES


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]


2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):