Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 17, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41889-41891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16944]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0715; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-039-AD; 
Amendment 39-17122; AD 2012-14-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. This 
AD requires inspecting the main gearbox (MGB) for a crack. This AD is 
prompted by a crack in the cored passage of the MGB housing, which may 
be indicated by oil on the housing. These actions are intended to 
detect a crack in the MGB housing, which could result in loss of oil, 
failure of the MGB, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 1, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of August 1, 2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 17, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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 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 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 AD, contact Sikorsky 
Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical Support, 
mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06614; telephone (800) 
562-4409; email address [email protected]; or at http://www.sikorsky.com. You may review a copy of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schwetz, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
telephone (718) 238-7761; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, 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 resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, 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 them 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

[[Page 41890]]

FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the comment period. We 
will consider all the comments we receive and may conduct additional 
rulemaking based on those comments.

Discussion

    This AD is prompted by an incident in which a crack in the MGB 
housing, in the cored passage area adjacent to the scissor bracket 
mount, allowed a measurable amount of oil to leak from the MGB. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of oil, failure of 
the MGB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other helicopters of the same type 
design.

Related Service Information

    Sikorsky has developed inspection procedures and issued Sikorsky S-
92 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. ASB 92-63-032 Basic Issue, dated 
December 22, 2011 (ASB 92-63-032), to detect a crack in the MGB by 
inspecting the area of the MGB housing, as indicated in Figure 1 of ASB 
92-63-032, for the presence of oil. We reviewed ASB 92-63-032, which 
describes procedures to inspect the MGB for indications of oil leakage. 
If indications of oil leakage are found, ASB 92-63-032 specifies 
cleaning the inspection area, performing a ground run and confirming 
the source of the leakage by using a specified ultraviolet light and 
repeating the visual inspection using a 10X magnifying glass. If any 
oil leakage is found, the ASB 92-63-032 states that the MGB is not to 
be used for further flight until direction is provided by Sikorsky. ASB 
92-63-032 also requires a recurrent inspection for any oil leakage, and 
references Sikorsky Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision No. 63-50, 
(TR 63-50), and Temporary Revision No. 5-104 (TR 5-104), both dated 
December 22, 2011. TR 63-50 adds the MGB inspection procedures to the 
aircraft maintenance manual, and TR 5-104 adds the MGB inspection 
requirement to the ``Before First Flight of the Day Checklist.'' TR 5-
104 also specifies inspecting the MGB before the first flight of the 
day, not to exceed 10 flight hours between inspections.
    Since issuing ASB 92-63-032, Sikorsky has issued S-92 ASB No. ASB 
92-63-034 Basic Issue, dated March 8, 2012 (ASB 92-63-034), which 
describes procedures to detect cracks in the MGB main module assembly 
with a one-time eddy-current and fluorescent-penetrant inspection. ASB 
92-63-034 also states that upon compliance with the eddy-current 
inspection ``the daily visual inspection implemented by ASB 92-63-032 
is waived.''

AD Requirements

    This AD requires repetitively inspecting the main gearbox with a 
10X magnifying glass for a crack. If there is a crack, or if any oil 
leakage is detected, this AD requires replacing the MGB with an 
airworthy MGB. This AD also provides for a one-time eddy-current 
inspection of the main module assembly of the MGB as an optional 
terminating action.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    The ASB requires inspecting for any oil leakage, while this AD 
requires inspecting for a crack, which may be indicated by the presence 
of oil leakage. The ASB requires sending photographic documentation of 
any oil leakage to Sikorsky; this AD does not. The ASB also requires 
contacting Sikorsky for further direction if any oil leakage is 
confirmed; this AD requires replacing any affected MGB with an 
airworthy MGB.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 16 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs, at 
an average labor rate of $85 per hour, in order to comply with this AD. 
Inspecting the MGB will require one work hour for a total cost to the 
operator of $85 and a cost to the entire U.S. fleet of $1,360 per 
inspection cycle. Performing the eddy-current inspection of the MGB 
will require 2 work hours for a total cost to the operator of $170 and 
a cost to the entire U.S. fleet of $2,720. If cracked, we estimate 
replacing a MGB will require 112 work hours and required parts will 
cost $260,000, for a total cost to the operator of $269,520.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adopting 
these AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions 
needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we find that 
the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment 
prior to the adoption of this rule because the required corrective 
actions must be accomplished within 10 hours time-in-service, and 
repeated on a daily basis. These helicopters are primarily used in the 
offshore industry, and this is a very short compliance time for this 
industry.
    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

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 AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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.

[[Page 41891]]

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):

2012-14-08 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-17122; Docket 
No. FAA-2012-0715; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-039-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model S-92A helicopters, serial numbers 
920006 through 920155, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in the main 
gearbox (MGB) housing cored oil passage. This condition could result 
in loss of oil, failure of the MGB, and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective August 1, 2012.

(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 (TIS) or 15 days, whichever 
occurs earlier, and thereafter before the first flight of each day, 
not to exceed 10 hours TIS between inspections, accomplish the 
following:
    (1) Clean and inspect, using a 10x or higher power magnifying 
glass, the MGB housing for a crack in the inspection area shown in 
Figure 1 of Sikorsky S-92 Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB 92-63-032 
Basic Issue, dated December 22, 2011.
    Note to paragraph (e)(1) of this AD: A crack may be indicated by 
the presence of oil in the inspection area of the MGB housing.
    (2) If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the MGB 
with an airworthy MGB.
    (3) Compliance with the one-time eddy-current inspection of the 
main module assembly of the MGB in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.C, of Sikorsky S-92 ASB No. 
ASB 92-63-034 Basic Issue, dated March 8, 2012, by a technician 
certified to non-destructive testing Level II or greater is an 
optional terminating action for the inspection requirements of this 
AD.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits will not be issued.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Michael Schwetz, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (718) 238-7761; email 
[email protected].
    (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.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6320: Main Rotor 
Gearbox.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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-92 Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB 92-63-032 Basic 
Issue, dated December 22, 2011;
    (ii) Sikorsky S-92 Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB 92-63-034 
Basic Issue, dated March 8, 2012.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical 
Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06614; 
telephone (800) 562-4409; email address [email protected]; or 
at http://www.sikorsky.com.
    (4) You may review copies of this service information at the 
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
    (5) You may also review copies of 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 2, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-16944 Filed 7-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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