Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68061-68062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26907]



[[Page 68061]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0216; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-025-AD; 
Amendment 39-17245; AD 2012-22-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. This 
AD requires inspecting the tail rotor (T/R) pylon for a loose or 
missing fastener, a crack, damage, or corrosion and adding an internal 
doubler to the aft shear deck tunnel assembly. This AD was prompted by 
the discovery of cracks in T/R pylons. The actions are intended to 
detect a loose or missing fastener, a crack, damage, or corrosion on 
the T/R pylon and, if present, to repair the T/R pylon and install a 
doubler on the aft shear deck tunnel assembly or to replace the T/R 
pylon and install a doubler on the aft shear deck tunnel assembly. The 
actions are intended to prevent failure of the T/R pylon or other T/R 
components, which could lead to the loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective December 20, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of December 20, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: 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 [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.
    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, any 
incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Faust, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
telephone (781) 238-7763; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On May 14, 2012, at 77 FR 28328, the Federal Register published our 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to Sikorsky Model S-92A 
helicopters with a T/R pylon, part number (P/N) 92000-06102-041. That 
NPRM proposed to require inspecting the T/R pylon for a loose or 
missing fastener, a crack, damage, or corrosion, and repairing or 
replacing the T/R pylon if any of these conditions exist. That NPRM 
also proposed adding an internal doubler to the aft shear deck tunnel 
assembly. That NPRM was prompted by the discovery of cracks in the 
forward lower spar region of the T/R pylons. The T/R pylon supports the 
T/R and the horizontal stabilizer, and a crack of the T/R pylon could 
alter vibration characteristics of the T/R pylon, which could adversely 
affect fatigue lives of T/R components. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the T/R pylon or other T/R 
components and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 28328, May 14, 
2012).

FAA's Determination

    We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an 
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of these same type designs and that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Related Service Information

    We have reviewed Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 92-53-
001, dated June 23, 2008 (ASB No. 92-53-001), and ASB No. 92-53-004B, 
Revision B, dated June 21, 2011 (ASB No. 92-53-004B). ASB No. 92-53-001 
specifies for a T/R pylon with more than 500 flight-hours a one-time 
inspection of the T/R pylon ``components and structure for obvious 
damage, cracks, corrosion, and security.'' ASB No. 92-53-004B specifies 
a one-time replacement of the T/R pylon, P/N 92000-06102-041, with T/R 
pylon, P/N 92070-20058-042, and installation of a doubler on the aft 
shear deck tunnel assembly. The ASB specifies a replacement schedule 
based on the T/R pylon's hours for specified serial numbered 
helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 20 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry and that labor rates average $85 a work-hour. We also estimate 
that it will take about 1 work-hour per helicopter to inspect and 120 
work-hours per helicopter to replace the T/R pylon and install the 
doubler. Required parts will cost about $339,080. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the annual cost will total $356,505 per helicopter 
and $7,130,100 for the U.S. fleet, assuming 85 inspections per year on 
each helicopter and assuming replacement of the T/R pylon and 
installation of a doubler on each helicopter.
    According to the Sikorsky service information, some of the costs of 
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, reducing the cost on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage. Accordingly, 
we have included all costs in our estimate.

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a

[[Page 68062]]

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 above, 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.

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):

2012-22-09 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters: Amendment 39-
17245; Docket No. FAA-2012-0216; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-025-
AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) 
Model S-92A helicopters, with a tail rotor (T/R) pylon, part number 
(P/N) 92000-06102-041, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a loose or missing 
fastener, a crack, damage, or corrosion on the T/R pylon that could 
result in failure of the T/R pylon or other T/R components, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective December 20, 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

    (1) For helicopters with 500 or more hours time-in-service 
(TIS), within 25 hours TIS and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
10 hours TIS, inspect each T/R pylon for a crack, damage, corrosion, 
or a loose or missing fastener in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(4)(a) through paragraph 3.A.(4)(f), and 
referring to Figure 1 of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
92-53-001, dated June 23, 2008, except that you are not required to 
contact Sikorsky Customer Service Engineering per paragraph 
3.A.(4)(c)1 of ASB 92-53-001, dated June 23, 2008.
    (2) If there is a crack, damage, corrosion, or a loose or 
missing fastener, before further flight, either:
    (i) If within allowable tolerances, repair each crack and each 
area of damage or corrosion and replace any loose or missing 
fastener; or
    (ii) Replace the T/R pylon, (P/N) 92000-06102-041, with T/R 
pylon, P/N 92070-20058-042, as follows:
    (A) Conduct the Total Indicated Run-out procedure on the No. 4 
and No. 5 T/R drive shafts and remove the T/R pylon; and
    (B) Install the doubler, P/N 92070-20087-101, as follows:
    (1) For helicopters, serial numbers (S/Ns) 920006 through 
920082, on the aft shear deck tunnel assembly, P/N 92204-05103-041 
or -045, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 3.B.(1) through 3.B.(30) and while referring to Figures 1, 
2, and 4 of Sikorsky ASB No. 92-53-004B, Revision B, dated June 21, 
2011 (92-53-004B).
    (2) For helicopters, S/Ns 920083 through 920124, on the aft 
shear deck tunnel assembly, P/N 92204-05103-043, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.C.(1) through 3.C.(21) 
and referring to Figures 3 and 4 of ASB 92-53-004B.
    (3) If there is no crack in the T/R pylon, replace T/R pylon, P/
N 92000-06102-041, with T/R pylon, P/N 92070-20058-042, and install 
doubler, P/N 92070-20087-101, on the aft shear deck tunnel assembly 
as specified in paragraphs (2)(ii)(A) through (2)(ii)(B) of this AD, 
according to the following:
    (i) For a T/R pylon with 3,750 or more hours TIS, replace and 
install doubler within 12 months.
    (ii) For a T/R pylon with 1,500 through 3,749 hours TIS, replace 
and install doubler within 24 months.
    (iii) For a T/R pylon with 1,499 or less hours TIS, replace and 
install doubler within 36 months.
    (4) Replacing T/R pylon, P/N 92000-06102-041, with T/R pylon, P/
N 92070-20058-042, and installing internal tail cone doubler, P/N 
92070-20087-101, on the aft shear deck tunnel assembly, constitutes 
terminating action for the requirements of this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Nicholas Faust, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7763; 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.

 (g) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5340, Fuselage 
Main, Attach Fittings.

(h) 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 Alert Service Bulletin No. 92-53-001, dated June 
23, 2008.
    (ii) Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 92-53-004B, Revision B, 
dated June 21, 2011
    (3) For Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 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 
[email protected]; or at http://www.sikorsky.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. 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.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 25, 2012.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-26907 Filed 11-14-12; 8:45 am]
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