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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 240 (Monday, December 15, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74037-74038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29260]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-1020; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-078-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Schweizer 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 (type certificate previously held by 
Schweizer Aircraft) (Sikorsky) Model 269D and Model 269D Configuration 
A helicopters. This proposed AD would require reducing the life limit 
of the ring gear carrier assembly. This proposed AD is prompted by 
cracks in the ring gear carrier assembly. The proposed actions are 
intended to reduce the life of the ring gear carrier assembly to 
prevent failure of the main rotor transmission, loss of engine power to 
the main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 13, 
2015.

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 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 AD, contact 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Engineering, 124 Quarry 
Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-416-4299; 
email sikorskywcs@sikorsky.com. You may review the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman Perenson, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, New York Aircraft Certification Office, Propulsion & Services 
Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Westbury, New York; telephone (516) 
228-7337; email Norman.Perenson@faa.gov.

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 269D and Model 269D 
Configuration A helicopters with a certain part-numbered ring carrier 
assembly installed. This proposed AD would require reducing the life 
limit of the ring carrier assembly from 6,000 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) to 5,000 hours TIS by revising the Airworthiness Limitations 
Section of the applicable maintenance manual and by removing from 
service any ring carrier assembly that exceeded the new life limit. 
This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery of a crack in the ring 
gear carrier assembly discovered during unscheduled maintenance after 
black discoloration of the main transmission oil was observed. The 
crack extended around the entire circumference of the flange and 
intersected some of the bolt holes but did not propagate ``bolt hole to 
bolt hole.'' A metallurgical evaluation determined that fretting caused 
multiple origin fatigue cracking on the ring gear carrier assembly. The 
proposed actions to reduce the life of the ring gear carrier assembly 
are intended to prevent failure of the main rotor transmission, loss of 
engine power to the main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

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 helicopters of the same type 
design.

Related Service Information

    Sikorsky issued 269D Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB DB-
040A,

[[Page 74038]]

Revision A, dated December 4, 2012, to implement a reduction in service 
life of the ring gear carrier assembly, part number (P/N) 269A5194, 
from 6,000 flight hours to 5,000 flight hours.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require reducing the life limit of the ring 
gear carrier assembly, P/N 269A5194, from 6,000 hours TIS to 5,000 
hours TIS by revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the 
applicable maintenance manual. This proposed AD would also require 
replacing each ring gear carrier assembly with an airworthy ring gear 
carrier assembly on or before reaching 5,000 hours TIS.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 16 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry.
    We estimate a minimal cost to change the life limit of the ring 
gear. If required, we estimate it would take 27.5 hours to replace a 
ring gear carrier assembly at $85 per work hour. Required parts would 
cost $7,591 for a total of $9,929 per helicopter.

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. Amend Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held By 
Schweizer Aircraft Corporation): Docket No. FAA-2014-1020; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-078-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model 269D and 
Model 269D Configuration A helicopters with ring gear carrier 
assembly, part number (P/N) 269A5194, installed, certificated in any 
category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a fatigue crack in a 
ring gear carrier assembly. This condition could result in failure 
of the main rotor transmission, loss of engine power to the main 
rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 13, 2015.

(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

    Before further flight:
    (1) Revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the 
applicable maintenance manual by reducing the life limit of the ring 
gear carrier assembly, P/N 269A5194, from 6,000 hours time-in-
service (TIS) to 5,000 hours TIS.
    (2) Remove from service any ring gear carrier assembly, P/N 
269A5194, with 5,000 or more hours TIS.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Norman 
Perenson, Aviation Safety Engineer, New York Aircraft Certification 
Office, Propulsion & Services Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., 
Westbury, New York; telephone (516) 228-7337; email 
Norman.Perenson@faa.gov.
    (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 269D Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB DB-040A, 
Revision A, dated December 4, 2012, which is not incorporated by 
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Sikorsky 
Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Engineering, 124 Quarry Road, 
Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-416-4299; email 
sikorskywcs@sikorsky.com. You may review a copy of information at 
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6300 Main Rotor 
Drive System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 8, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-29260 Filed 12-12-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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