Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6649-6652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02283]



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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 25 / Friday, February 6, 2015 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 6649]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-1088; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-76-AD; 
Amendment 39-18091; AD 2014-12-11 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are revising Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-12-11 for 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. AD 
2014-12-11 required revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to 
include the appropriate operating limitations for performing Class D 
external load-combination operations. As published, AD 2014-12-11 
referenced an incorrect date for Revision No. 12 of Sikorsky RFM SA 
S92A-RFM-003, Part 1. This AD corrects the error while retaining the 
requirements of AD 2014-12-11. These actions are intended to require 
appropriate operating limitations to allow operators to perform Class D 
external load-combination operations, including human external cargo, 
in this model helicopter that now meets the Category A performance 
standard.

DATES: This AD is effective March 13, 2015.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical 
Support, mailstop S581A, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT, telephone 
(203) 383-4866, email address [email protected], or at http://www.sikorsky.com. You may view this referenced service information at 
the FAA, 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 in Docket No. FAA-2009-1088; or in person at the 
Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, any 
incorporated-by-reference information, the economic evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The address for the Docket 
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 
20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Coffey, Flight Test Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7173; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to revise AD 2014-12-11, Amendment 39-17872 (79 FR 45085, 
August 4, 2014), which applied to Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters. The 
NPRM, published in the Federal Register on October 27, 2014 (79 FR 
63855), proposed to retain the requirements of AD 2014-12-11 and 
correct the date of the RFM revision that appeared in the text of the 
rule.
    Specifically, AD 2014-12-11 included the following under paragraph 
(f), Credit for Actions Previously Completed: ``Incorporation of the 
changes contained in Sikorsky RFM SA S92A-RFM-003, Part 1, Revision No. 
12, approved March 21, 2005, before the effective date of this AD is 
considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions 
specified in paragraph (e) of this AD.'' As published, the reference to 
March 21, 2005, was incorrect. The correct approval date for Revision 
12 is December 9, 2010.
    The FAA has determined that it is appropriate to revise AD 2014-12-
11 to correct the RFM approval date. This revision clarifies which RFM 
revision is acceptable to obtain credit for previous actions.
    No other part of the preamble or regulatory information has been 
changed. The final rule is reprinted in its entirety for the 
convenience of affected operators.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 63855, October 
27, 2014).

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 
helicopters of these same type designs and that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

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 have 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 above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,

[[Page 6650]]

    (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 a regulatory distinction is required, 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.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2014-12-11, Amendment 39-17872 (79 FR 45085, August 4, 2014), and 
adding the following new AD:

2014-12-11 R1 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-18091; 
Docket No. FAA-2009-1088; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-76-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-92A 
helicopters, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an inaccurate Rotorcraft 
Flight Manual (RFM) provision, which was approved without 
appropriate limitations for this model helicopter for carrying Class 
D external rotorcraft-load combinations, including Human External 
Cargo (HEC), when this model helicopter was not certificated to 
Category A one-engine inoperative (OEI) performance standards, 
including fly away capabilities after an engine failure, which is 
required for carrying HEC.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD revises AD 2014-12-11, Amendment 39-17872 (79 FR 45085, 
August 4, 2014).

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective March 13, 2015.

(e) 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.

(f) Required Actions

    Within 90 days, revise the Operating Limitations section of 
Sikorsky Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) SA S92A-RFM-003, Part 1, 
Section I, by inserting a copy of this AD into the RFM or by making 
pen and ink changes, as follows:
    (1) In the ``Types of Operation'' section, beneath Hoist, add 
the following: ``The hoist equipment certification installation 
approval does not constitute approval to conduct hoist operations. 
Operational approval for hoist operations must be granted by the 
Federal Aviation Administration. No cabin seats may be installed in 
front of station 317 when conducting Human External Cargo hoist 
operations, which requires Category A performance capabilities.''
    (2) In the ``Flight Limits'' section, add the following: `` 
``HOIST'' When conducting Human External Cargo operations, which 
require category `A' performance capabilities, the minimum hover 
height is 20 feet AGL and the maximum hover height is 80 feet AGL. 
``HOIST'' The collective axis must remain uncoupled when conducting 
Human External Cargo, which requires category `A' performance 
capabilities, for the period of time that the person is off the 
ground or water and not in the aircraft. This can be accomplished by 
either uncoupling the collective axis or by the pilot depressing the 
collective trim switch during the pertinent portion of the 
maneuver.''
    (3) In the ``Weight Limits'' section:
    (i) Remove the following: ``NOTE: The 150 pound hoist decrement 
does not preclude Cat A operations at a gross weight of 26,500 
pounds with a hoist installed. If conditions permit, the pilot may 
go to the right of the 26,500 line on Figure 1-2 to determine a 
maximum gross weight up to 26,650 and then subtract 150 pounds.''
    (ii) Add the following: ``NOTE: If conditions permit, the pilot 
may go to the right of the 26,500 pound line on Figure 1-2 to 
determine the maximum gross weight and then subtract a 150 pound 
hoist decrement. The maximum gross weight for category `A' 
operations cannot exceed 26,500 pounds (12,020 kilograms).''
    (iii) Add the following and insert Figure 1 to Paragraph 
(f)(3)(iii) of this AD:
    `` ``HOIST'' Maximum gross weight for Human External Cargo, 
which requires category `A' performance capabilities, is limited to 
the gross weight determined in accordance with the following Figure 
1 to Paragraph (f)(3)(iii) of this AD for your altitude and 
temperature with the air-conditioner, anti-ice, and bleed air turned 
off.''

    Note 1 to paragraph (f)(3)(iii) of this AD:  Figure 1 to 
Paragraph (f)(3)(iii) of this AD becomes Figure 1-2A when inserted 
in the ``Weight Limits'' section of your RFM.

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[[Page 6651]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR06FE15.000

(g) Credit for Actions Previously Completed

    Incorporation of the changes contained in Sikorsky RFM SA S92A-
RFM-003, Part 1, Revision No. 12, approved December 9, 2010, before 
the effective date of this AD is considered acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding actions specified in paragraph (f) 
of this AD.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve

[[Page 6652]]

AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: John Coffey, Flight Test 
Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7173; 
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.

(i) Additional Information

    For service information identified in this AD, contact Sikorsky 
Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical Support, 
mailstop S581A, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT, telephone (203) 
383-4866, email address [email protected], or at http://www.sikorsky.com. You may review a copy of the service information 
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

(j) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2510 Flight 
Compartment Equipment.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 16, 2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate Manager, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-02283 Filed 2-5-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-C

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