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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.
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(c) Effective Date
ThisAD 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 john.coffey@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) 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: wcs_cust_service_eng.gr-sik@lmco.com.
(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.
