[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 240 (Monday, December 15, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74037-74038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29260]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-1020; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-078-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Schweizer 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 (type certificate previously held by
Schweizer Aircraft) (Sikorsky) Model 269D and Model 269D Configuration
A helicopters. This proposed AD would require reducing the life limit
of the ring gear carrier assembly. This proposed AD is prompted by
cracks in the ring gear carrier assembly. The proposed actions are
intended to reduce the life of the ring gear carrier assembly to
prevent failure of the main rotor transmission, loss of engine power to
the main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 13,
2015.
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, Customer Service Engineering, 124 Quarry
Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-416-4299;
email [email protected]. 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: Norman Perenson, Aviation Safety
Engineer, New York Aircraft Certification Office, Propulsion & Services
Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Westbury, New York; telephone (516)
228-7337; 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 Sikorsky Model 269D and Model 269D
Configuration A helicopters with a certain part-numbered ring carrier
assembly installed. This proposed AD would require reducing the life
limit of the ring carrier assembly from 6,000 hours time-in-service
(TIS) to 5,000 hours TIS by revising the Airworthiness Limitations
Section of the applicable maintenance manual and by removing from
service any ring carrier assembly that exceeded the new life limit.
This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery of a crack in the ring
gear carrier assembly discovered during unscheduled maintenance after
black discoloration of the main transmission oil was observed. The
crack extended around the entire circumference of the flange and
intersected some of the bolt holes but did not propagate ``bolt hole to
bolt hole.'' A metallurgical evaluation determined that fretting caused
multiple origin fatigue cracking on the ring gear carrier assembly. The
proposed actions to reduce the life of the ring gear carrier assembly
are intended to prevent failure of the main rotor transmission, loss of
engine power to the main rotor, and subsequent 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 helicopters of the same type
design.
Related Service Information
Sikorsky issued 269D Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB DB-
040A,
[[Page 74038]]
Revision A, dated December 4, 2012, to implement a reduction in service
life of the ring gear carrier assembly, part number (P/N) 269A5194,
from 6,000 flight hours to 5,000 flight hours.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require reducing the life limit of the ring
gear carrier assembly, P/N 269A5194, from 6,000 hours TIS to 5,000
hours TIS by revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
applicable maintenance manual. This proposed AD would also require
replacing each ring gear carrier assembly with an airworthy ring gear
carrier assembly on or before reaching 5,000 hours TIS.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 16 helicopters of
U.S. Registry.
We estimate a minimal cost to change the life limit of the ring
gear. If required, we estimate it would take 27.5 hours to replace a
ring gear carrier assembly at $85 per work hour. Required parts would
cost $7,591 for a total of $9,929 per helicopter.
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. Amend Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held By
Schweizer Aircraft Corporation): Docket No. FAA-2014-1020;
Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-078-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model 269D and
Model 269D Configuration A helicopters with ring gear carrier
assembly, part number (P/N) 269A5194, installed, certificated in any
category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a fatigue crack in a
ring gear carrier assembly. This condition could result in failure
of the main rotor transmission, loss of engine power to the main
rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by February 13, 2015.
(d) 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.
(e) Required Actions
Before further flight:
(1) Revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the
applicable maintenance manual by reducing the life limit of the ring
gear carrier assembly, P/N 269A5194, from 6,000 hours time-in-
service (TIS) to 5,000 hours TIS.
(2) Remove from service any ring gear carrier assembly, P/N
269A5194, with 5,000 or more hours TIS.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)
(1) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Norman
Perenson, Aviation Safety Engineer, New York Aircraft Certification
Office, Propulsion & Services Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave.,
Westbury, New York; telephone (516) 228-7337; 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.
(g) Additional Information
Sikorsky 269D Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB DB-040A,
Revision A, dated December 4, 2012, which is not incorporated by
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Sikorsky
Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Engineering, 124 Quarry Road,
Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-416-4299; email
[email protected]. 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.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6300 Main Rotor
Drive System.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 8, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-29260 Filed 12-12-14; 8:45 am]
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