Inoperative Cyclic Control Stick Guard

FAA Aircraft Certification Service SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Inoperative Cyclic Control Stick Guard SAIB: SW-08-37 Date: July 22, 2008 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin you, owners and operators of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-76 series helicopters, equipped with an optionally installed cyclic control stick guard (stick guard), part number (P/N) 03076-10M001 (Sikorsky P/N 76088-40001, Keystone Supplemental Type Certificate No. SR01140NY-D), of a report concerning the stick guard.

Background

We have recently learned of a recent incident where a flight crew had inadvertently failed to stow the stick guard and upon takeoff resulted in interference in the forward movement of the cyclic stick. The spring override mechanism was found to be inoperative. A check of other helicopters in the incident operator’s fleet that were also equipped with the stick guard revealed additional examples of inoperative override mechanisms. Sikorsky and Keystone are reviewing the malfunction information to determine the cause of these incidents.

Sikorsky has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-67-51A, Revision A, dated July 9, 2008(ASB), which specifies disabling the stick guard until a one-time functional check of the stick guard is accomplished.

Recommendations

Although it is not considered to pose a significant safety risk since the pilot can manually stow the stick guard if interference in the forward movement of the cyclic stick is encountered, we strongly recommend that operators comply with the ASB as soon as possible until the cause of the inoperative stick guards is determined.

For Further Information Contact

Terry Fahr, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781.238.7155, fax: 781.238.7170, email: [email protected].

For Related Service Information Contact

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, Connecticut, phone (203) 383-4866, email address [email protected].