[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5418-5420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2421]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0085; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-004-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, 
R, and V helicopters to require replacing each forward and aft fuel 
system 40 micron fuel filter element with a 10 micron fuel filter 
element. This proposed AD is prompted by a National Transportation 
Safety Board (NTSB) review of in-service events where engine 
performance degradation occurred and the review determined that some of 
these events were caused by contaminants larger than 10 microns present 
in the engine fuel control units (FCUs). The proposed actions are 
intended to prevent particulate contamination in the FCU, which could 
lead to malfunction of an internal valve(s), power loss at a critical 
phase of flight, and loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 3, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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 proposed AD, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical 
Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main St., Stratford, CT; telephone (203) 
383-4866; email [email protected], or at http://www.sikorsky.com. 
You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,

[[Page 5419]]

2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kirk Gustafson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 
FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone 
(781) 238-7190; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed 
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    We propose to adopt a new AD for the Sikorsky Model S-61A, D, E, L, 
N, NM, R, and V helicopters with a fuel system 40 micron fuel filter 
element, part number (P/N) 52-0505-2 or 52-01064-1. This proposed AD 
would require replacing each forward and aft fuel system 40 micron fuel 
filter element with a 10 micron fuel filter element. This proposed AD 
was prompted by an NTSB review of in-service events involving Sikorsky 
S-61 model helicopters where engine performance degradation occurred. 
The review determined that contaminants larger than 10 microns entering 
the engine FCU can migrate to the internal servo valves and the 
pressuring regulating valve, causing them to malfunction. Malfunction 
of these valves can result in abnormal engine operation and loss of 
power. The NTSB conducted this review as a part of its investigation of 
an accident involving a Sikorsky S-61 model helicopter. During 
disassembly and examination of the FCUs in the accident helicopter, the 
NTSB found trace levels of contamination in each FCU, indicating the 
filters in the fuel supply system did not completely filter 
contaminants from the fuel. The NTSB stated that no evidence exists 
that contamination contributed to the accident, but concluded that 
using fuel system 10 micron fuel filters could reduce the risk of 
engine performance degradation occurring due to fuel contamination. 
This condition of particulate contamination in the FCU, if not 
corrected, could lead to malfunction of an internal valve, power loss 
at a critical phase of flight, and loss of control of the helicopter.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant 
information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 61B30-16, 
dated February 2, 2010 (ASB No. 61B30-16), which supersedes ASB No. 
61B28-1, dated January 15, 2010 (ASB No. 61B28-1). ASB No. 61B28-1 
specified replacing the forward and aft fuel system 40 micron fuel 
filter elements with 10 micron fuel filter elements at the next 
scheduled inspection or within 150 flight hours from the issuance of 
the ASB. ASB 61B30-16 retains the same instructions as ASB 61B28-1, but 
deletes the compliance time ``at the next scheduled preventative 
maintenance inspection.'' Also, ASB No. 61B30-16 was issued because ASB 
No. 61B28-1 was incorrectly numbered.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 150 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), replacing each forward and aft fuel system 40 micron fuel filter 
element with a 10 micron fuel filter element. Thereafter, operators 
would only be permitted to install a fuel system 10 micron fuel filter 
element when replacing the forward or aft fuel system fuel filter 
element. This proposed AD would also require re-identifying the fuel 
filter and the fuel control assembly.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    ASB 61B30-16 specifies complying with the instructions within 150 
flight hours from the issuance of the ASB, but this proposed AD 
requires complying with the instructions within 150 hours TIS from the 
effective date of the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 78 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs 
in order to comply with this AD. It would take approximately 4 work-
hours to replace the fuel system fuel filters and re-identify the fuel 
tank fuel filter and fuel control assembly bracket. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour and required parts will cost about $370 per 
helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators would be $710 per helicopter and the 
total cost of this AD on U.S. operators would be $55,380.

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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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, I certify this proposed 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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and

[[Page 5420]]

    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 proposed 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
Airworthiness Directive (AD):

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2012-0085; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-SW-004-AD.

 (a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) 
Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V helicopters with a fuel system 
40 micron fuel filter element, part number (P/N) 52-0505-2 or 52-
01064-1, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as contaminants present in 
the engine fuel control units (FCUs). This AD was prompted by a 
National Transportation Safety Board review of in-service events 
where engine performance degradation occurred. This condition could 
result in particulate contamination in the FCU, which could lead to 
malfunction of an internal valve, power loss at a critical phase of 
flight, and loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) 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.

(d) Required Actions

    (1) Within 150 hours time-in-service, do the following:
    (i) Replace each forward and aft fuel system 40 micron fuel 
filter element with a 10 micron fuel filter element, P/N AM52-01064-
1.
    (ii) Re-identify the fuel filter, P/N 52-2145-009, and fuel 
control assembly bracket as follows:
    (A) On the fuel filter identification plate, cross out the last 
two digits (``09'') of the existing fuel filter P/N 52-2145-009, and 
replace those last two digits with ``14'' to re-identify the fuel 
filter as P/N 52-2145-014.
    (B) Change the existing fuel control assembly part number on the 
fuel control assembly bracket to re-identify it as follows:
    (1) Change fuel control assembly P/N S6130-63209-001 to P/N 
S6130-63209-041.
    (2) Change fuel control assembly P/N S6130-63209-002 to P/N 
S6130-63209-042.
    (3) Change fuel control assembly P/N S6130-63209-003 to P/N 
S6130-63209-043.
    (4) Change fuel control assembly P/N S6130-63209-004 to P/N 
S6130-63209-044.

(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Kirk Gustafson, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine and 
Propeller Directorate, FAA,12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7190; email 
[email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a Part 119 operating 
certificate or under 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.

(f) Additional Information

    Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service Bulletin No. 61B30-
16, dated February 2, 1010, which is not incorporated by reference, 
contains additional information about the subject of this AD. For 
this service information, contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, 
Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 
Main St., Stratford, CT; telephone (203) 383-4866; email 
[email protected], or at http://www.sikorsky.com. You may 
review copies of this information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137.

(g) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2800, Fuel system.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 23, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-2421 Filed 2-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P