[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 207 (Monday, October 27, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63855-63859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25402]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-1088; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-76-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 revise airworthiness directive (AD) 2014-12-11 
for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. 
AD 2014-12-11 currently requires 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 references an incorrect date for Revision No. 12 of Sikorsky RFM SA 
S92A-RFM-003, Part 1. This proposed AD would correct the error while 
retaining the requirements of AD 2014-12-11. These proposed 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: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 12, 
2014.

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.

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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, telephone 
(203) 383-4866, email address [email protected], or at http://www.sikorsky.com. You may review 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: 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: 

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

    AD 2014-12-11, amendment 39-17872 (79 FR 45085, August 4, 2014), 
applies to Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters and requires revising the 
RFM to include the appropriate operating limitations for performing 
Class D external load-combination operations. When AD 2014-12-11 was 
published, an incorrect reference to the date of the RFM revision 
appeared in the text of the rule.
    Specifically, the AD 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, is 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 would clarify any 
confusion regarding 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 would be reprinted in its entirety for the 
convenience of affected operators.

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

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: 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

[[Page 63857]]

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) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 12, 2014.

(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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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP27OC14.000


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(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 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 http://www.sikorsky.com. You may review a copy of this 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 October 3, 2014.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-25402 Filed 10-24-14; 8:45 am]
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