[Federal Register: August 1, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 147)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43352-43354]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01au06-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25444; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-18-AD;
Amendment 39-14700; AD 2006-15-19]
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, before further flight, replacing a certain main
gearbox (MGB) upper main housing assembly (housing assembly) that has
2700 or more hours time-in-service (TIS) with an airworthy part. This
action also requires, before further flight, revising the Airworthiness
Limitations section (ALS) of the maintenance manual by establishing a
new retirement life for the MGB housing assembly of 2700 hours TIS.
This amendment is prompted by testing of the MGB housing assembly that
resulted in premature fatigue failure due to a manufacturing process
creating an oxide skin defect in the housing. The actions specified in
this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of the MGB housing,
loss of MGB lube oil, loss of main and tail rotor drive, and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective August 16, 2006.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before October 2, 2006.
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 a certain MGB housing assembly that has 2700 or more
hours TIS with an airworthy MGB housing assembly with less than 2700
hours TIS. Also, this action requires, before further flight, revising
the ALS of the
[[Page 43353]]
maintenance manual by establishing a new retirement life for the MGB
housing assembly of 2700 or more hours TIS. This amendment is prompted
by component fatigue testing of the MGB housing assembly that resulted
in premature fatigue failure due to a manufacturing process creating an
oxide skin defect in the housing. This condition, if not corrected,
could result in fatigue failure of the MGB housing, loss of MGB lube
oil, loss of main and tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of control
of the helicopter.
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 MGB housing, loss of MGB lube oil,
loss of main and tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter. This AD requires, before further flight, replacing any
MGB housing assembly, part number 92351-15110-042, that has 2700 or
more hours TIS with an airworthy part. This AD also requires, before
further flight, revising the ALS of the maintenance manual by
establishing a new retirement life for the MGB housing assembly of 2700
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 2700 hours TIS. Therefore,
replacing each MGB housing assembly that has 2700 or more hours TIS
with an airworthy MGB housing assembly 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 13 helicopters, and will take
about 20 work hours to replace the MGB housing assembly at an average
labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts will cost about
$152,000 per helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate the total
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators to be $1,996,800.
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-2006-25444;
Directorate Identifier 2006-18-SW-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, 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:
2006-15-19 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-14700. Docket
No. FAA-2006-25444; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-18-AD.
Applicability
Model S-92A helicopter, with main gearbox (MGB) upper main
housing assembly (housing assembly), part number 92351-15110-042,
installed, certificated in any category.
Compliance
Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent fatigue failure of the MGB housing, loss of MGB lube
oil, loss of main and tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter, do the following:
(a) Before further flight, replace each MGB housing with 2700 or
more hours time-in-service (TIS) with an airworthy MGB housing with
less than 2700 hours TIS.
(b) This AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
maintenance manual by establishing a new retirement life for the MGB
housing assembly of 2700 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 Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
ATTN: Wayne Gaulzetti, Aviation Safety Engineer, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7156, fax
(781) 238-7170, for information about previously approved
alternative methods of compliance.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on August 16, 2006.
[[Page 43354]]
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 26, 2006.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6-12305 Filed 7-31-06; 8:45 am]
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