[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60656-60658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23439]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0352; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-063-AD;
Amendment 39-17598; AD 2013-19-16]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters to
require modifying the No. 1 engine forward firewall center fire
extinguisher discharge tube (No. 1 engine tube) and inspecting the
outboard discharge tube to determine if it is correctly positioned.
This AD was prompted by the discovery that the No. 1 engine tube
installed on the helicopters is too long to ensure that a fire could be
effectively extinguished in the helicopter. The actions are intended to
ensure the No. 1 engine tube allows for complete coverage of an
extinguishing agent in the No. 1 engine compartment area, ensure that a
fire would be extinguished and prevent the loss of helicopter control.
DATES: This AD is effective November 6, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of November 6,
2013.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical
Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06614;
telephone (800) 562-4409; email [email protected]; or at http://www.sikorsky.com. You may review a copy of the referenced service
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
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 AD, any incorporated-by-reference
service information, the economic evaluation, any comments received,
and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-
140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schwetz, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington,
Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-7761; email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On April 22, 2013, at 78 FR 23698, the Federal Register published
our notice of
[[Page 60657]]
proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by
adding an AD that would apply to Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters,
serial numbers 920006 through 920169. The NPRM proposed to require
modifying the No. 1 engine tube and inspecting the outboard discharge
tube to determine if it is correctly positioned. The work required to
modify the No.1 engine tube may dislocate the outboard discharge tube,
which directs fire extinguishing agent to a specific area of the engine
compartment. The NPRM was prompted because an extinguishing test at a
Sikorsky plant showed that a No. 1 engine tube with the incorrect
length had been put into production. Because of the incorrect tube
length, the fire-extinguishing system may not discharge the agent
completely throughout the compartment in the event of a fire. The
proposed requirements were intended to ensure the No. 1 engine tube
allows for complete coverage of an extinguishing agent in the No. 1
engine compartment area, ensure that a fire is extinguished and prevent
the loss of helicopter control.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 23698, April
22, 2013).
FAA's Determination
We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
products of these same type designs and that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.
Related Service Information
Sikorsky has issued Alert Service Bulletin 92-26-004 (ASB), dated
June 4, 2012, to modify the No. 1 engine tube within 120 days. The ASB
specifies procedures to cut two inches off the tube's discharge end, as
well as how to inspect and reposition, if necessary, the outboard
discharge tube.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 24 U.S. registered helicopters
and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these
estimates, we expect the following costs:
Modifying the No. 1 engine tube takes 2 work-hours for a
labor cost of $170 per helicopter. No parts are needed, so the cost for
the U.S. fleet totals $4,080.
Inspecting the outboard discharge tube and ensuring that
it is in the required position takes about 1 work-hour for a total
labor cost of $85 per helicopter. No parts are needed for a total U.S.
fleet cost of $2,040.
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
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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2013-19-16 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters: Amendment 39-
17598; Docket No. FAA-2013-0352; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-063-
AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky)
Model S-92A helicopters, serial numbers 920006 through 920169,
certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of the No. 1
engine forward firewall center fire extinguisher discharge tube to
discharge an extinguishing agent for complete coverage of the No. 1
engine compartment area. This condition could result in a fire not
being extinguished and subsequent loss of helicopter control.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective November 6, 2013.
(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
Within 120 days:
(1) Modify the No. 1 engine forward firewall center discharge
tube in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Paragraph
B, of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin 92-26-004, dated June 4, 2012
(ASB).
(2) Inspect the outboard discharge tube and determine if it is
correctly positioned as depicted in Figure 3 of the ASB. If it is
not correctly positioned, correct the positioning in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions, Paragraph D, of the ASB.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Michael Schwetz,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office,
Engine & Propeller Directorate, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-7761; 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
[[Page 60658]]
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) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2620,
Extinguishing System.
(h) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin 92-26-004, dated June 4,
2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Sikorsky service information identified in this AD,
contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial
Technical Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT
06614; telephone (800) 562-4409; email [email protected]; or
at http://www.sikorsky.com.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 17, 2013.
Gwendolynne O'Connell,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-23439 Filed 10-1-13; 8:45 am]
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