SAIB SW-04-75

SPECIAL

AIRWORTHINESS

INFORMATION

BULLETIN

Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

SW-04-75 August 4, 2004 www.faa.gov/certification/aircraft This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin alerts you, owners and operators of Sikorsky S-70A helicopters equipped with main rotor blade, serial number (S/N) A007-09734 (spar S/N B302-09525), that Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation has issued Safety Advisory (SA) SSA-S70-04-002. The SA states that the referenced main rotor blade, which had been held by, and stolen from, General Lasertronics, San Jose, CA, is for test purposes only, and is not flight worthy. The SA advises owners and operators, that in the event that this blade enters their spares system, they are not to install it on their helicopter. They should contact the San Jose Police Department or the FBI.

Reference Sikorsky Safety Advisory, SSA-S70-04-002, dated June 9, 2004

Background

We have received a report that the above blade was the property of the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences(NCMS), and was awaiting testing in the NCMS laser paint-stripping program when it was stolen.

Recommendations

Due to the potential consequences of installing an unairworthy blade, we highly recommend that you don’t install the blade on your helicopter and that you make sure the blade does not enter your spare system.

For Further Information Contact

Terry Fahr, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Boston Aircraft Certification Office, ANE-150, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: (781) 238–7155; fax: (781) 238–7170;

e-mail: terry.fahr@faa.gov.

For copies of the safety advisory, contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Tech Support, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06614; phone: (203) 386-3001; fax:

(203) 386-5983.