[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 23 (Thursday, February 4, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5684-5685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-1723]



[[Page 5684]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0066; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-52-AD; 
Amendment 39-16190; AD 2009-23-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-
92A Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-23-51, which was sent 
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Sikorsky Aircraft 
Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters by individual letters. 
This AD 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 also requires you to repair the MGB before 
further flight. This amendment is prompted by reports of cracks in the 
MGB mounting foot pads and foot ribs. This condition, if not detected, 
could result in loss of the MGB and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: Effective February 19, 2010, to all persons except those persons 
to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2009-23-51, 
issued on October 29, 2009, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 19, 2010.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before April 5, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     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 
(203) 383-4866, e-mail address [email protected], 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 (800) 647-5527) 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 (781) 238-7761, fax 
(781) 238-7170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 29, 2009, the FAA issued 
Emergency AD 2009-23-51 for the Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters, which 
requires 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 also requires 
you to repair the MGB before further flight. This amendment is prompted 
by reports of cracks in the MGB mounting foot pads and foot ribs. The 
manufacturer is investigating the root cause of these cracks. 
Contributing factors may include corrosion and the bushing press fit in 
the mounting foot bolt hole. This condition, if not detected, could 
result in loss of the MGB and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    We have reviewed Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 92-63-020, 
dated September 11, 2009 (ASB), which describes procedures for visually 
inspecting the MGB assembly mounting foot pads and foot ribs for a 
crack and corrosion. The ASB specifies a 10-hour recurring visual 
inspection. If you suspect a crack, the ASB specifies a fluorescent 
penetrant inspection (FPI) or a dye penetrant inspection (DPI). If you 
find a crack, the ASB specifies replacing the MGB before further 
flight. Also, the ASB specifies treating any corrosion.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type design. Therefore, this AD requires within 
10 hours time-in-service (TIS), unless accomplished previously, and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS, 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, this AD also requires you to repair the 
MGB before further flight. 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 it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters 
issued on October 29, 2009, to all known U.S. owners and operators of 
Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters. These conditions still exist, and the 
AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to 14 
CFR 39.13 to make it effective to all persons.
    The FAA estimates that 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 2,200 
(50 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 $80 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 $5,087,360, 
assuming 8 helicopters will require an MGB replacement.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment;

[[Page 5685]]

however, we invite you to submit any written data, views, or arguments 
regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0066; Directorate Identifier 
2009-SW-52-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 
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of our 
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

0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2009-23-51 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: 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 or -043, with MGB 
housing, P/N 92351-15110-042, -043, -044, or -045, 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; 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: Following the ASB Accomplishment Instructions 
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 (781) 238-7761, fax (781) 238-
7170, 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. 
Copies may be obtained from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: 
Manager, Commercial Technical Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main 
Street, Stratford, CT, telephone (203) 383-4866, e-mail address 
[email protected], 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 February 19, 2010, to 
all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by Emergency AD 2009-23-51, issued October 29, 2009, which 
contained the requirements of this amendment.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 18, 2009.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-1723 Filed 2-3-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P