81 FR 95066 - Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 248 (December 27, 2016)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. This proposed AD would require installing an engine flame detector bracket assembly and harness assembly. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of false fire warnings. The proposed actions are intended to prevent the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 27, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 95066-95068]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30051]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 27, 2016 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 95066]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5443; Directorate Identifier 2016-SW-021-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. This 
proposed AD would require installing an engine flame detector bracket 
assembly and harness assembly. This proposed AD is prompted by reports 
of false fire warnings. The proposed actions are intended to prevent 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 27, 
2017.

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-2016-
5443; 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 rule, 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 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristopher Greer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 
238-7799; 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 proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    We propose to adopt a new AD for Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters 
with serial numbers 920006 through 920298. This proposed AD would 
require installing a No. 2 engine outboard flame detector bracket 
assembly (bracket) and a No. 2 engine flame detector harness assembly 
(harness), if not already installed or if the bracket was not installed 
before the harness. This proposed AD is prompted by reports received by 
Sikorsky of false fire indications from the No. 2 engine outboard flame 
detectors. Sikorsky attributed the root cause of the false fire 
warnings to micro pin fretting at the bayonet connection between the 
sensor and wire harness. Sikorsky consequently developed a new harness 
to increase stability and reduce the component wear. The proposed 
actions are intended to prevent a false fire indication, which could 
lead to an unnecessary emergency landing or ditching.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant 
information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Sikorsky S-92 Customer Service Notice 92-094, Revision 
B, dated June 14, 2016, which provides procedures for installing 
harness part number (P/N) 92310-04201-041.
    We also reviewed Sikorsky Special Service Instructions No. 92-107, 
Revision G, dated February 25, 2016, (SSI No. 92-107) which specifies 
installing new brackets, P/N 92070-30033-011, 92070-30033-014, and 
92070-30033-015, to increase the stability of the No. 2 engine outboard 
flame detector.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES.

[[Page 95067]]

Other Related Service Information

    We reviewed Sikorsky S-92 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 92-26-006, 
Basic Issue, dated February 25, 2016. This service information provides 
instructions for installing a new bracket by complying with SSI No. 92-
107.
    We also reviewed S-92 ASB 92-26-007, Basic Issue, dated June 14, 
2016. This service information specifies installing harness P/N 92310-
04201-041 after or concurrently with the new bracket.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require installing a bracket and a harness, 
if not already installed or if the bracket was not installed before the 
harness, in accordance with Sikorsky service information.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 50 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these estimates, we expect that installing a new bracket and harness 
would require 15.25 work hours for a labor cost of about $1,296. Parts 
would cost $100 for a total cost of about $1,396 per helicopter and 
$69,800 for the U.S. 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2016-5443; Directorate 
Identifier 2016-SW-021-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) 
Model S-92A helicopters, serial numbers 920006 through 920298, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a false fire warning. 
This condition could result in an unnecessary emergency landing or 
ditching.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 27, 2017.

(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 180 hours time-in-service:
    (1) For helicopters with a No. 2 engine outboard flame detector 
bracket assembly (bracket) (either part number (P/N) 92070-30033-
014, or both P/N 92070-30033-011 and 92070-30033-015) installed, and 
with a No. 2 engine flame detector harness assembly (harness) P/N 
92310-04201-041 installed: If the harness was installed before the 
bracket, replace the harness.
    (2) For helicopters with a bracket (either P/N 92070-30033-014, 
or both P/N 92070-30033-011 and 92070-30033-015) installed, and 
without a harness P/N 92310-04201-041 installed: remove the harness 
and install harness P/N 92310-04201-041 by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, section 3.C.1, of Sikorsky S-92 
Customer Service Notice 92-094, Revision B, dated June 14, 2016 (CSN 
92-094).
    (3) For helicopters without a bracket (either P/N 92070-30033-
014, or both P/N 92070-30033-011 and 92070-30033-015) installed, and 
with a harness P/N 92310-04201-041 installed:
    (i) Install a bracket P/N 92070-30033-014 by following the 
Instructions, paragraph D, of Sikorsky Special Service Instructions 
No. 92-107, Revision G, dated February 25, 2016 (SSI 92-107).
    (ii) Replace the harness.
    (4) For helicopters without a bracket (either P/N 92070-30033-
014, or both P/N 92070-30033-011 and 92070-30033-015) installed, and 
without a harness P/N 92310-04201-041 installed:
    (i) Install a bracket P/N 92070-30033-014 by following the 
Instructions, paragraph D, of SSI 92-107.
    (ii) Remove the harness and install harness P/N 92310-04201-041 
by following the Accomplishment Instructions, section 3.C.1, of CSN 
92-094.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Kristopher Greer, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, 
Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-7799; 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.

(g) Additional Information

    Sikorsky S-92 Alert Service Bulletin 92-26-006, Basic Issue, 
dated February 25, 2016, and Sikorsky S-92 Alert Service Bulletin 
92-26-007, Basic Issue, dated June 14, 2016, which are not 
incorporated by reference, contain additional information about the 
subject of this proposed rule. For service information identified in 
this proposed rule, contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Customer 
Service Engineering, 124 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 
1-800-

[[Page 95068]]

Winged-S or 203-416-4299; email [email protected]. You may review a copy of information at the FAA, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood 
Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2612, Fire 
Detection.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 7, 2016.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-30051 Filed 12-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P