[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 186 (Friday, September 25, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57751-57753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24148]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3942; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-064-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
(Sikorsky) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2014-07-
04R1 for certain Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters. AD 2014-07-04R1 
currently requires repetitive inspections in the upper deck area for 
incorrectly installed clamps and chafing between the electrical wires 
and the hydraulic lines and replacing any unairworthy wires or 
hydraulic lines. Since we issued AD 2014-07-04R1, the manufacturer has 
developed an alteration that corrects the unsafe condition described in 
AD 2014-07-04R1. This proposed AD would require altering the wiring 
system in the upper deck area. These proposed actions are intended to 
prevent a fire in an area of the helicopter without extinguishing 
capability and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 24, 
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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3942; 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 service information at 
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, Texas 76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Lucas, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 
FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; 
telephone (781) 238-7757; 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

[[Page 57752]]

proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    On March 28, 2014, we issued AD 2014-07-04, Amendment 39-17818 (79 
FR 21385, April 16, 2014), for certain serial-numbered Sikorsky Model 
S92A helicopters. AD 2014-07-04 required repetitively inspecting the 
upper deck area for incorrectly installed clamps and chafing between 
the electrical wires and the hydraulic lines, replacing any unairworthy 
wires or hydraulic lines, and correcting any clamps that were installed 
incorrectly. Due to typographical errors when the AD was published, an 
incorrect serial number and an incorrect reference to the service 
information appeared in the text of the rule. On August 21, 2014, we 
issued AD 2014-07-04R1, Amendment 39-17964 (79 FR 54893, September 15, 
2014), to correct these errors.

Actions Since AD 2014-07-04R1 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2014-07-04R1 (79 FR 54893, September 15, 2014), 
Sikorsky has developed an alteration to correct the unsafe condition 
described in AD 2014-07-04R1. The alteration creates separate engine 
inlet and alternating current (AC) generator feeder lines, which were 
previously combined as an assembly. The new engine inlet feeder lines 
are rerouted through the cabin to the AC power distributors. The 
alteration also involves removing certain hydraulic to electrical 
clamps, which support the top deck main harnesses, and adding 
independent electrical brackets to create greater separation from the 
hydraulic lines. These proposed actions are intended to alter the 
wiring installation in the upper deck to prevent chafing between the 
electrical lines and hydraulic hoses. This condition, if not prevented, 
could result in a fire in an area of the helicopter without 
extinguishing capability and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of this same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Sikorsky has issued Special Service Instructions SSI No. 92-070A, 
Revision A, dated April 25, 2014 (SSI 92-070A), which contains 
procedures to alter the wiring system in the upper deck area to prevent 
chafing. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by means identified in the Addresses Section of this 
proposed AD.

Other Related Service Information

    We also reviewed Alert Service Bulletin ASB 92-20-003, Basic Issue, 
dated May 5, 2014 (ASB 92-20-003). ASB 92-20-003 specifies a one-time 
modification of the upper deck wiring harnesses to prevent possible 
chafing by complying with SSI 92-070A.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require altering the wiring system in the 
upper deck area.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The service information provides a compliance date of November 5, 
2015; the proposed AD would require a compliance time of 150 hours TIS. 
Also, the service information requires submitting certain documentation 
to the manufacturer, and the proposed AD would not.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 20 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work hour. 
Rerouting the upper deck wiring system and replacing and installing new 
parts would take 58 work hours and $8,000 in required parts, for a 
total cost of $12,930 per helicopter and $258,600 for the fleet.

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) 
2014-07-04R1, Amendment 39-17964 (79 FR 54893, September 15, 2014), and 
adding the following new AD:

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2015-3942; Directorate 
Identifier 2014-SW-064-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model S-92A helicopters, serial number 920006 
through 920084, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an incorrectly installed 
clamp that does not

[[Page 57753]]

provide adequate clearance to prevent chafing between the high 
voltage electrical lines and the hydraulic hoses. This condition 
could result in a fire in an area of the helicopter without 
extinguishing capability and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2014-07-04R1, Amendment 39-17964 (79 FR 
54893, September 15, 2014).

(d) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 24, 2015.

(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 150 hours time-in-service, reroute the left hand and 
right hand upper deck wiring system by complying with the 
Instructions, paragraph B, of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Special 
Service Instructions SSI No. 92-070A, Revision A, dated April 25, 
2014.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Ian Lucas, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Engine & Propeller Directorate, FAA, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; 
telephone (781) 238-7757; 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.

(h) Additional Information

    Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service Bulletin ASB 92-20-
003, Basic Issue, dated May 5, 2014, 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 the service information at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, Texas 76177.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2910 Main 
Hydraulic System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 17, 2015.
James A. Grigg,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-24148 Filed 9-24-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P