2010-29201. Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A Helicopters

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters that currently requires cleaning and inspecting each main gearbox (MGB) assembly mounting foot pad and rib for a crack and corrosion. If you do not find a crack, the AD requires applying a corrosion preventive compound. If you find a crack, the AD requires replacing the MGB before further flight. If you find corrosion, bubbled paint, or paint discoloration, the AD requires you to repair the MGB before further flight. This amendment retains the current requirements and expands the applicability to include another part-numbered MGB assembly and MGB housing. This amendment is prompted by the need to expand the applicability to include another MGB assembly and MGB housing that is prone to the same cracks and corrosion as the MGB listed in the current AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the loss of the MGB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES:

Effective December 6, 2010.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 19, 2010 (75 FR 5684, February 4, 2010).

We must receive comments on this AD by January 18, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

You may get the service information identified in this AD from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT, telephone [phone], e-mail address [e-mail], or at http://www.sikorsky.com.

Examining the Docket: You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments, and other information 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 Docket Operations office (telephone [phone]) is located in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael Schwetz, Aviation Safety Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone [phone], fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On December 18, 2009, we issued AD 2009-23-51, Amendment 39-16190 (75 FR 5684, February 4, 2010), to require cleaning and inspecting each MGB assembly mounting foot pad and rib for a crack and corrosion. If you do not find a crack, the AD requires applying a corrosion preventive compound. If you find a crack, the AD requires replacing the MGB before further flight. If you find corrosion, bubbled paint, or paint discoloration, the AD requires you to repair the MGB before further flight. That action was prompted by reports of cracks in the MGB mounting foot pads and foot ribs. That condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of the MGB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Since issuing that AD, we have determined the need to expand the applicability to include another MGB assembly and MBG housing, which introduced a six-stud attachment for the oil filter bowl and more edge distance on the right and left foot pads. This new housing configuration is added to the applicability of this AD because it is prone to the same cracks as the MGB listed in the current AD. The manufacturer is still investigating the root cause of these cracks. Contributing factors may include corrosion and the bushing press fit in the mounting foot bolt hole. The actions specified in this AD are interim actions until the root cause of the cracking is determined. After that determination, we anticipate further rulemaking.

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other Sikorsky S-92A helicopters of the same type design, this AD supersedes AD 2009-23-51 to retain the same requirements and to expand the applicability to include the MGB assembly, part number (P/N) 92351-15000-044, with a MGB housing, P/N 92351-15110-046. This AD is being issued to prevent the loss of the MGB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This AD requires an initial and at 10-hour time-in-service (TIS) intervals, cleaning and inspecting each MGB assembly mounting foot pad and rib for a crack and corrosion. If you do not find a crack, this AD requires applying a corrosion preventive compound. If you find a crack, this AD requires replacing the MGB before further flight. If you find corrosion, bubbled paint, or paint discoloration, this AD requires you to repair the MGB before further flight.

The short compliance time is required because the previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the structural integrity and controllability of the helicopter. Therefore, because of the short compliance time, this AD must be issued immediately.

Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

We estimate this AD will affect 44 helicopters of U.S. registry, and inspecting the MGB assembly mounting foot pads and foot ribs for corrosion or a crack will take about:

• 2 work hours to do the visual inspection, assuming 2200 (50 inspections X 44 helicopters) inspections per year for commercial and part 91 operators; and
• 24 work hours to remove and replace an MGB.

The average labor rate is $85 per work hour and required parts will cost about $590,000 per helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators to be $26,423,760 assuming all 44 helicopters will require an MGB replacement.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and we did not precede it by notice and an opportunity for public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2010-1136; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-069-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive concerning this AD. Using the search function of the docket Web site, you can find and read the comments to any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment. You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).

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 the regulation:

1. Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866;

2. Is not a “significant rule” under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and

3. 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. See the AD docket to examine the economic evaluation.

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.

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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-23-51, Amendment 39-16190 ( 75 FR 5684, dated February 4, 2010), and by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2010-24-04 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-16522; Docket No. FAA-2010-1136; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-069-AD. Supersedes AD 2009-23-51; Amendment 39-16190; Docket No. FAA-2010-0066; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-52-AD.

Applicability: Model S-92A helicopters, with main gearbox (MGB) assembly, part number (P/N) 92351-15000-042, -043, or -044, with MGB housing, P/N 92351-15110-042, -043, -044, -045, or -046, installed, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated.

To prevent loss of an MGB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following:

(a) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), unless accomplished previously, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS, clean and inspect each MGB assembly mounting foot pad and rib for a crack and corrosion in the area depicted in Figure 1 and as shown in the examples in Figures 2, 3, and 4 of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 92-63-020, dated September 11, 2009 (ASB). If no crack is found, apply the corrosion preventive compound to each foot pad and rib area.

Note 1:

When conducting a visual inspection, use a bright, non-LED light.

(1) If you find a crack, replace the MGB before further flight.

(2) If you find corrosion, bubbled paint, or paint discoloration, before further flight, repair the affected area.

Note 2:

Even though MGB assembly, P/N 92351-15000-044, with MGB housing, P/N 92351-15110-046, is not included in the ASB, following the Accomplishment Instructions in the ASB accomplishes the intent of this AD.

(b) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, ATTN: Michael Schwetz, Aviation Safety Engineer, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone [phone], fax [phone], for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.

(c) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 6320: Main Rotor Gearbox.

(d) Do the inspections by following the specified portions of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 92-63-020, dated September 11, 2009. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of February 19, 2010 (75 FR 5684, February 4, 2010). Copies may be obtained from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT, telephone [phone], e-mail address [e-mail], or at http://www.sikorsky.com. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas, or 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.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on December 6, 2010.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 9, 2010.

Kim Smith,

Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.