5684 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 23 / Thursday, February 4, 2010 / Rules and Regulations 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–0066; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–SW–52–AD; Amendment 39– 

16190; AD 2009–23–51] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky 

Aircraft Corporation Model S–92A 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration, DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: This document publishes in 

the Federal Register an amendment 

adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 

2009–23–51, which was sent previously 

to all known U.S. owners and operators 

of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 

(Sikorsky) Model S–92A helicopters by 

individual letters. This AD requires 

cleaning and inspecting each main 

gearbox (MGB) assembly mounting foot 

pad and rib for a crack and corrosion. 

If you do not find a crack, the AD 

requires applying a corrosion preventive 

compound. If you find a crack, the AD 

requires replacing the MGB before 

further flight. If you find corrosion, 

bubbled paint, or paint discoloration, 

the AD also requires you to repair the 

MGB before further flight. This 

amendment is prompted by reports of 

cracks in the MGB mounting foot pads 

and foot ribs. This condition, if not 

detected, could result in loss of the 

MGB and subsequent loss of control of 

the helicopter. 

DATES: Effective February 19, 2010, to 

all persons except those persons to 

whom it was made immediately 

effective by Emergency AD 2009–23–51, 

issued on October 29, 2009, which 

contained the requirements of this 

amendment. 

The incorporation by reference of 

certain publications listed in the 

regulations is approved by the Director 

of the Federal Register as of February 

19, 2010. 

Comments for inclusion in the Rules 

Docket must be received on or before 

April 5, 2010. 

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following 

addresses to submit comments on this 

AD: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

You may get the service information 

identified in this AD from Sikorsky 

Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, 

Commercial Technical Support, 

mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, 

Stratford, CT, telephone (203) 383–4866, 

e-mail address tsslibrary@sikorsky.com, 

or at http://www.sikorsky.com. 

Examining the Docket: You may 

examine the docket that contains the 

AD, any comments, and other 

information 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 Docket 

Operations office (telephone (800) 647– 

5527) is located in Room W12–140 on 

the ground floor of the West Building at 

the street address stated in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Michael Schwetz, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification 

Office, 12 New England Executive Park, 

Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 

238–7761, fax (781) 238–7170. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On 

October 29, 2009, the FAA issued 

Emergency AD 2009–23–51 for the 

Sikorsky Model S–92A helicopters, 

which requires cleaning and inspecting 

each MGB assembly mounting foot pad 

and rib for a crack and corrosion. If you 

do not find a crack, the AD requires 

applying a corrosion preventive 

compound. If you find a crack, the AD 

requires replacing the MGB before 

further flight. If you find corrosion, 

bubbled paint, or paint discoloration, 

the AD also requires you to repair the 

MGB before further flight. This 

amendment is prompted by reports of 

cracks in the MGB mounting foot pads 

and foot ribs. The manufacturer is 

investigating the root cause of these 

cracks. Contributing factors may include 

corrosion and the bushing press fit in 

the mounting foot bolt hole. This 

condition, if not detected, could result 

in loss of the MGB and subsequent loss 

of control of the helicopter. 

We have reviewed Sikorsky Alert 

Service Bulletin No. 92–63–020, dated 

September 11, 2009 (ASB), which 

describes procedures for visually 

inspecting the MGB assembly mounting 

foot pads and foot ribs for a crack and 

corrosion. The ASB specifies a 10-hour 

recurring visual inspection. If you 

suspect a crack, the ASB specifies a 

fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) or 

a dye penetrant inspection (DPI). If you 

find a crack, the ASB specifies replacing 

the MGB before further flight. Also, the 

ASB specifies treating any corrosion. 

This unsafe condition is likely to exist 

or develop on other helicopters of the 

same type design. Therefore, this AD 

requires within 10 hours time-in-service 

(TIS), unless accomplished previously, 

and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 

10 hours TIS, cleaning and inspecting 

each MGB assembly mounting foot pad 

and rib for a crack and corrosion. If you 

do not find a crack, the AD requires 

applying a corrosion preventive 

compound. If you find a crack, the AD 

requires replacing the MGB before 

further flight. If you find corrosion, 

bubbled paint, or paint discoloration, 

this AD also requires you to repair the 

MGB before further flight. The actions 

specified in this AD are interim actions 

until the root cause of the cracking is 

determined. After that determination, 

we anticipate further rulemaking. 

Since it was found that immediate 

corrective action was required, notice 

and opportunity for prior public 

comment thereon were impracticable 

and contrary to the public interest, and 

good cause existed to make the AD 

effective immediately by individual 

letters issued on October 29, 2009, to all 

known U.S. owners and operators of 

Sikorsky Model S–92A helicopters. 

These conditions still exist, and the AD 

is hereby published in the Federal 

Register as an amendment to 14 CFR 

39.13 to make it effective to all persons. 

The FAA estimates that this AD will 

affect 44 helicopters of U.S. registry, and 

inspecting the MGB assembly mounting 

foot pads and foot ribs for corrosion or 

a crack will take about: 

• 2 work hours to do the visual 

inspection, assuming 2,200 (50 × 44 

helicopters) inspections per year for 

commercial and part 91 operators; and 

• 24 work hours to remove and 

replace an MGB. 

The average labor rate is $80 per work 

hour and required parts will cost about 

$590,000 per helicopter. Based on these 

figures, we estimate the total cost 

impact of the AD on U.S. operators to 

be $5,087,360, assuming 8 helicopters 

will require an MGB replacement. 

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; 


cprice-sewell on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 23 / Thursday, February 4, 2010 / Rules and Regulations 5685 

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–2010–0066; 

Directorate Identifier 2009–SW–52–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:// 

www.regulations.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). 

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 AD docket 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, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

■ 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 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding 

a new airworthiness directive to read as 

follows: 

2009–23–51 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: 

Amendment 39–16190. Docket No. 

FAA–2010–0066; Directorate Identifier 

2009–SW–52–AD. 

Applicability: Model S–92A helicopters, 

with main gearbox (MGB) assembly, part 

number (P/N) 92351–15000–042 or –043, 

with MGB housing, P/N 92351–15110–042, 

–043, –044, or –045, installed, certificated in 

any category. 

Compliance: Required as indicated. 

To prevent loss of an MGB and subsequent 

loss of control of the helicopter, do the 

following: 

(a) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), 

unless accomplished previously, and 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 hours 

TIS, clean and inspect each MGB assembly 

mounting foot pad and rib for a crack and 

corrosion in the area depicted in Figure 1; as 

shown in the examples in Figures 2, 3, and 

4; of Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 92– 

63–020, dated September 11, 2009 (ASB). If 

no crack is found, apply the corrosion 

preventive compound to each foot pad and 

rib area. 

Note 1: When conducting a visual 

inspection, use a bright, non-LED light. 

(1) If you find a crack, replace the MGB 

before further flight. 

(2) If you find corrosion, bubbled paint, or 

paint discoloration, before further flight, 

repair the affected area. 

Note 2: Following the ASB 

Accomplishment Instructions accomplishes 

the intent of this AD. 

(b) 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, ATTN: Michael Schwetz, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, 12 New England 

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, 

telephone (781) 238–7761, fax (781) 238– 

7170, for information about previously 

approved alternative methods of compliance. 

(c) The Joint Aircraft System/Component 

(JASC) Code is 6320: Main Rotor Gearbox. 

(d) Do the inspections by following the 

specified portions of Sikorsky Alert Service 

Bulletin No. 92–63–020, dated September 11, 

2009. The Director of the Federal Register 

approved this incorporation by reference 

under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

Copies may be obtained from Sikorsky 

Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, 

Commercial Technical Support, mailstop 

s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT, 

telephone (203) 383–4866, e-mail address 

tsslibrary@sikorsky.com, or at http:// 

www.sikorsky.com. Copies may be inspected 

at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 

Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas, or 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/ 

code_of_federal_regulations/ 

ibr_locations.html. 

(e) This amendment becomes effective on 

February 19, 2010, to all persons except those 

persons to whom it was made immediately 

effective by Emergency AD 2009–23–51, 

issued October 29, 2009, which contained the 

requirements of this amendment. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 

18, 2009. 

Mark R. Schilling, 

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2010–1723 Filed 2–3–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2009–0659; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–NM–060–AD; Amendment 

39–16191; AD 2010–03–07] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Empresa 

Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. 

(EMBRAER) Model EMB–135BJ, 

–135ER, –135KE, –135KL, and –135LR 

Airplanes; and EMB–145, –145ER, 

–145MR, –145LR, –145XR, –145MP, and 

–145EP Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 


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