Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60656-60658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23439]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0352; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-063-AD; 
Amendment 39-17598; AD 2013-19-16]
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 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters to 
require modifying the No. 1 engine forward firewall center fire 
extinguisher discharge tube (No. 1 engine tube) and inspecting the 
outboard discharge tube to determine if it is correctly positioned. 
This AD was prompted by the discovery that the No. 1 engine tube 
installed on the helicopters is too long to ensure that a fire could be 
effectively extinguished in the helicopter. The actions are intended to 
ensure the No. 1 engine tube allows for complete coverage of an 
extinguishing agent in the No. 1 engine compartment area, ensure that a 
fire would be extinguished and prevent the loss of helicopter control.

DATES: This AD is effective November 6, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of November 6, 
2013.

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: Michael Schwetz, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-7761; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On April 22, 2013, at 78 FR 23698, the Federal Register published 
our notice of

[[Page 60657]]

proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 
adding an AD that would apply to Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters, 
serial numbers 920006 through 920169. The NPRM proposed to require 
modifying the No. 1 engine tube and inspecting the outboard discharge 
tube to determine if it is correctly positioned. The work required to 
modify the No.1 engine tube may dislocate the outboard discharge tube, 
which directs fire extinguishing agent to a specific area of the engine 
compartment. The NPRM was prompted because an extinguishing test at a 
Sikorsky plant showed that a No. 1 engine tube with the incorrect 
length had been put into production. Because of the incorrect tube 
length, the fire-extinguishing system may not discharge the agent 
completely throughout the compartment in the event of a fire. The 
proposed requirements were intended to ensure the No. 1 engine tube 
allows for complete coverage of an extinguishing agent in the No. 1 
engine compartment area, ensure that a fire is extinguished and prevent 
the loss of helicopter control.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 23698, April 
22, 2013).

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

    Sikorsky has issued Alert Service Bulletin 92-26-004 (ASB), dated 
June 4, 2012, to modify the No. 1 engine tube within 120 days. The ASB 
specifies procedures to cut two inches off the tube's discharge end, as 
well as how to inspect and reposition, if necessary, the outboard 
discharge tube.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 24 U.S. registered helicopters 
and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these 
estimates, we expect the following costs:
    <bullet> Modifying the No. 1 engine tube takes 2 work-hours for a 
labor cost of $170 per helicopter. No parts are needed, so the cost for 
the U.S. fleet totals $4,080.
    <bullet> Inspecting the outboard discharge tube and ensuring that 
it is in the required position takes about 1 work-hour for a total 
labor cost of $85 per helicopter. No parts are needed for a total U.S. 
fleet cost of $2,040.

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 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):

2013-19-16 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters: Amendment 39-
17598; Docket No. FAA-2013-0352; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-063-
AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) 
Model S-92A helicopters, serial numbers 920006 through 920169, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of the No. 1 
engine forward firewall center fire extinguisher discharge tube to 
discharge an extinguishing agent for complete coverage of the No. 1 
engine compartment area. This condition could result in a fire not 
being extinguished and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective November 6, 2013.

(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 120 days:
    (1) Modify the No. 1 engine forward firewall center discharge 
tube in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Paragraph 
B, of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin 92-26-004, dated June 4, 2012 
(ASB).
    (2) Inspect the outboard discharge tube and determine if it is 
correctly positioned as depicted in Figure 3 of the ASB. If it is 
not correctly positioned, correct the positioning in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions, Paragraph D, of the ASB.

(f) 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, Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 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

[[Page 60658]]

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: 2620, 
Extinguishing System.

(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 92-26-004, dated June 4, 
2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Sikorsky 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 September 17, 2013.
Gwendolynne O'Connell,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-23439 Filed 10-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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