[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 77 (Monday, April 22, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23698-23699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09406]


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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]
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-92A helicopters to 
require modifying the No. 1 engine forward firewall center fire 
extinguisher discharge tube (No. 1 engine tube). This proposed AD is 
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 on a helicopter. The proposed actions are intended to 
ensure the No. 1 engine tube would allow 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: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 21, 2013.

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 Street, Stratford, CT 06614; 
telephone (800) 562-4409; email [email protected]; or at http://www.sikorsky.com. You may review the referenced service information at 
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

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: 

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 airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky 
Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters with serial 
numbers (S/N) 920006 through 920169. This proposed AD is prompted by a 
recent event where an extinguishing test at a Sikorsky plant showed 
that an incorrect No. 1 engine tube length had been put into 
production. Because of the incorrect tube length, if a fire erupts in 
the engine compartment, the fire-extinguishing system may not discharge 
the agent completely throughout the compartment to extinguish the 
blaze. This proposed AD would require removing the No. 1 engine tube, 
cutting off two inches from the discharge end of the tube, and 
inspecting the outboard discharge tube and positioning both tubes to 
ensure that they would provide complete coverage of the extinguishing 
agent in the No. 1 engine compartment area to ensure that a fire can be 
extinguished.

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

    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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require removing the No. 1 engine tube, 
removing two inches from the discharge end of the tube, and then 
require inspecting the outboard discharge tube

[[Page 23699]]

for correct positioning. If the outboard discharge tube is not 
correctly positioned, this proposed AD would require correcting the 
positioning.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 24 U.S. registered 
helicopters and that labor costs would average $85 per work-hour. Based 
on these estimates, we expect the following costs:
     Modifying the No. 1 engine tube would take two work-hours 
for an estimated labor cost of $170 per helicopter. No parts would be 
needed, so the cost for the U.S. fleet would total $4,080.
     Inspecting the outboard discharge tube and ensuring that 
it is in the required position would take about one work-hour for a 
total labor cost of $85 per helicopter. No parts would be 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

    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
    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

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):

SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: 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) 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

    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.

(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (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 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

    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 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: 2620, 
Extinguishing System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 11, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09406 Filed 4-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P