[Federal Register: June 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 113)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 34312-34313]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14jn05-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-21373; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-13-AD;
Amendment 39-14119; AD 2005-12-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-
92A Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. This
action requires replacing the main gearbox (MGB) lubrication/scavenge
pump vespel spline adapters (vespel spline adapters) before further
flight, and thereafter, replacing them at certain intervals. This
amendment is prompted by a reported incident of an in-flight loss of
oil pressure. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent
loss of lubrication to the MGB, which could cause failure of one or
both engine input drives, or planetary gear to sun gear tooth mesh
failure, resulting in loss of power to the rotor system and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective June 29, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 29, 2005.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before August 15, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically;
Government-wide Rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically;
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590;
Fax: (202) 493-2251; or
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
You may get the service information identified in this AD from
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Tech Support,
6900 Main Street, Stratford, Connecticut 06614, phone (203) 386-3001,
fax (203) 386-5983.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments, and
other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person
at the Docket Management System (DMS) Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket
Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the
Department of Transportation Nassif Building at the street address
stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Gaulzetti, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7156, fax
(781) 238-7170.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This amendment adopts a new AD for Sikorsky
Model S-92A helicopters that have MGB lubrication/scavenge pump, part
number (P/N) 92351-15800-101, with vespel spline adapter, P/N 1584000-
1, installed. This action requires, before further flight, removing the
two vespel spline adapters and replacing them with airworthy vespel
spline adapters, and thereafter, replacing them at intervals not to
exceed 50 hours time-in-service (TIS). This amendment is prompted by a
report of a loss of oil pressure during a flight to an offshore oil
rig. Subsequent investigation, which is continuing, reveals that the
vespel spline adapter installed on the helicopter failed due to
excessive wear. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
prevent loss of lubrication to the MGB, which could cause failure of
one or both engine input drives, or planetary gear to sun gear tooth
mesh failure, resulting in loss of power to the rotor system and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
We have reviewed Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service
Bulletin (ASB) No. 92-63-001, dated April 1, 2005, which describes
procedures for removing and replacing the vespel spine adapter. This AD
differs from the manufacturer's ASB in that we are incorporating only
the necessary portion of the Accomplishment Instructions of the ASB and
do not require returning the replaced parts to the manufacturer, nor do
we require providing a report to the manufacturer.
This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters of the same type design. Therefore, this AD is being issued
to prevent loss of lubrication to the MGB, which could cause failure of
one or both engine input drives, or planetary gear to sun gear tooth
mesh failure, resulting in loss of power to the rotor system and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This AD requires removing
the left-hand and right-hand main lubrication/scavenge pumps to access
the vespel spline adapters and removing and replacing the vespel spline
adapters before further flight and thereafter, at intervals not to
exceed 50 hours TIS. Accomplish the actions in accordance with the ASB
described previously.
The short compliance time involved is required because the
previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the
controllability of the helicopter. Therefore, the initial replacement
is required before further flight, and the repetitive replacements are
required at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS, both of which are
very short time periods, and this AD must be issued immediately.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
We estimate that this AD will affect 4 helicopters of U.S.
registry. Replacing both vespel spline adapters will take approximately
3 work hours to accomplish at an average labor rate of $65 per work
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $350 for each of the two
adapters, however, the manufacturer has stated that they will provide
the replacement parts at no charge until the end of the warranty period
for the vespel spline adapter. Based on these figures, we estimate the
total cost impact of the AD on U.S.
[[Page 34313]]
operators to be $2,180, assuming that one vespel spline adapter that is
not covered by manufacturer's warranty is replaced on each helicopter.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-21373;
Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-13-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light
of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of our docket
Web site, you can find and read the comments to any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual who sent the comment. You may
review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov
.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 above, I certify that the 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); and
3. 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 AD. See the DMS to examine the economic evaluation.
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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
2005-12-03 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-14119. Docket
No. FAA-2005-21373; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-13-AD.
Applicability: Model S-92A helicopters with main gearbox (MGB)
lubrication/scavenge pump, part number (P/N) 92351-15800-101, with
vespel spline adapter, P/N 1584000-1, installed, certificated in any
category.
Compliance: Required before further flight, unless accomplished
previously, and thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 50 hours
time-in-service.
To prevent loss of lubrication to the MGB, which could cause
failure of one or both engine input drives, or planetary gear to sun
gear tooth mesh failure, resulting in loss of power to the rotor
system and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish
the following:
(a) Remove and replace each MGB lubrication/scavenge pump vespel
spline adapter in accordance with paragraph 3.A., steps (1) through
(6) of the Accomplishment Instructions in Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation Alert Service Bulletin No. 92-63-001, dated April 1,
2005.
(b) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Contact the Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine and
Propeller Directorate, FAA, for information about previously
approved alternative methods of compliance.
(c) The removals and replacements shall be done in accordance
with paragraph 3.A., steps (1) through (6) of the Accomplishment
Instructions in Sikorsky Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin No. 92-63-
001, dated April 1, 2005. The Director of the Federal Register
approved this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Sikorsky
Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Tech Support, 6900
Main Street, Stratford, Connecticut 06614, phone (203) 386-3001, fax
(203) 386-5983. Copies may be inspected at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on June 29, 2005.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 1, 2005.
Carl F. Mittag,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-11516 Filed 6-13-05; 8:45 am]
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