[Federal Register: June 23, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 120)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 36333-36334]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23jn05-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-21588; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-24-AD;
Amendment 39-14150; AD 2005-13-13]
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
the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters.
This action requires replacing a certain part-numbered tail gear box
output housing that has 600 or more hours time-in-service (TIS) with an
airworthy part. Also, this AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations
section of the maintenance manual by reducing the life limit of the
tail gear box output housing. This amendment is prompted by the
premature failure of the tail gear box output housing during fatigue
testing by the manufacturer. The actions specified in this AD are
intended to prevent fatigue failure of the tail gear box output
housing, loss of tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
DATES: Effective July 8, 2005.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before August 22, 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.
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, 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 the
Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters. This action requires, before further
flight, replacing tail gear box output housing, part number (P/N)
92358-06109-043, that has 600 or more hours TIS with an airworthy gear
box output housing with less than 600 hours TIS. Also, this AD revises
the Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual by
reducing the life limit of the tail gear box output housing from 4500
hours TIS to 600 hours TIS. This amendment is prompted by the premature
failure of the tail gear box output housing during fatigue testing by
the manufacturer. The follow-on investigation indicated the
manufacturing process created an oxide skin defect in the housing,
making it necessary to reduce the life limit of the gear box housing
from 4500 hours TIS to 600 hours TIS. The manufacturer is reviewing its
processes on the output housing to determine methods, including a
material change, to prevent the oxide skin defect.
In Chapter 4 of the Sikorsky S-92 Maintenance Manual, SA S92A-AWL-
000, the tail gear box output housing is noted as a critical part.
Further, in Note 12 to those Airworthiness Limitations and Inspection
Requirements, the manufacturer states to remove the Tail Gear Box
Assembly, P/N 92358-06100-043, which contains the Tail Gear Box Output
Housing, P/N 92358-06109-043, and send it ``to a manufacturer
authorized repair center for replacement of the time limited
components.'' This AD does not require you to send the gear box
assembly or output housing to a manufacturer authorized repair center
or to the manufacturer. However, any entity removing and replacing the
gear box assembly, output housing, or the critical parts within each of
those components must be qualified and have approved data to perform
that maintenance.
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 fatigue failure of the tail gear box output housing, loss of
tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
This AD requires, before further flight, replacing each tail gear box
output housing, P/N 92358-06109-043, with 600 or more hours TIS with an
airworthy part. Also, this AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations
section of the maintenance manual by reducing the life limit of the
tail gear box output housing from 4500 hours TIS to 600 hours TIS.
The short compliance time involved is required because the
previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the
controllability or structural integrity of the helicopter. Some
operators may have already exceeded the 600 hours TIS. Therefore,
replacing each tail gear box output housing that has reached 600 or
more hours TIS with an airworthy tail gear box output housing is
required before further flight 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, and replacing the tail gear box output housing will take
about 8 work hours at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour.
Required parts will cost about $4291 per helicopter. Based on these
figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators
to be $19,244.
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-2005-21588;
Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-24-AD''
[[Page 36334]]
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, 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:
2005-13-13 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-14150. Docket
No. FAA-2005-21588; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-24-AD.
Applicability: Model S-92A helicopters, with a gear box output
housing, part number (P/N) 92358-06109-043, installed, certificated
in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent fatigue failure of the tail gear box output housing,
loss of tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter, do the following:
(a) Before further flight, replace each tail gear box output
housing, P/N 92358-06109-043, with 600 or more hours time-in-service
(TIS) with an airworthy tail gear box housing with less than 600
hours TIS.
Note: Sikorsky Maintenance Manual SA S92A-AWL-000, Airworthiness
Limitations and Inspection Requirements, Chapter 4, dated March 3,
2005, contains the limitation for the tail gear box output housing.
(b) This AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
maintenance manual by reducing the life limit of the tail gear box
output housing from 4500 hours TIS to 600 hours TIS.
(c) 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, FAA, for
information about previously approved alternative methods of
compliance.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on July 8, 2005.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 10, 2005.
S. Frances Cox,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12417 Filed 6-22-05; 8:45 am]
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