Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 141 / Wednesday, July 23, 2014 / Proposed Rules 42719 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2014–0493; Directorate 

Identifier 2013–SW–019–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky 

Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Sikorsky Model S–92A helicopters. This 

proposed AD would require installing a 

main gearbox (MGB) failed pump sensor 

and vacuum switch wiring, installing an 

MGB oil auto bypass system, activating 

Aircraft Management System (AMS) 7.1 

software to show a new visual warning, 

and installing updated enhanced ground 

proximity warning system (EGPWS) 

software that includes an aural 

annunciation of a complete oil pressure 

loss condition. This proposed AD would 

also require inserting a Rotorcraft Flight 

Manual (RFM) Supplement into the 

applicable RFM. This proposed AD is 

prompted by investigation results of inservice oil leakage incidents. The 

proposed actions are intended to alert 

and prevent MGB oil loss, which could 

lead to failure of the MGB and 

subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by September 22, 

2014. 

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 the Sikorsky 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; or at http:// 

www.sikorsky.com. For the Honeywell 

service information identified in this 

proposed AD, contact Honeywell 

International, Inc., at 15001 NE. 36 

Street, Redmond, WA 98052–5316, 

telephone (800) 601–3099; email 

www.myaerospace.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: 

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 

michael.schwetz@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 S–92A helicopters. This 

proposed AD would require, depending 

on the helicopter’s serial number, 

installing an MGB failed pump sensor 

and vacuum switch wiring, installing an 

MGB oil auto bypass system, activating 

AMS 7.1 software to show a new MGB 

‘‘OIL OUT’’ visual warning, updating 

the EGPWS software to include an aural 

annunciation of a complete oil pressure 

loss condition, and inserting an RFM 

Supplement into the applicable RFM. 

This proposed AD is prompted by one 

accident and one in-service oil leakage 

incident where it was discovered during 

subsequent investigations that the pilot 

failed to activate the bypass valve 

within 5 seconds of the oil pressure 

dropping below 35 psi, as required by 

the RFM. Both accident and incident 

investigations found that the pilot 

activated the bypass valve well beyond 

the 5 seconds. 

The manual operation of the bypass 

valve within 5 seconds of the oil 

pressure dropping below 35 psi has 

proven not to be a realistic expectation. 

The MGB failed pump sensor and 

vacuum switch wiring is a system that 

will detect an oil pressure drop in the 

input module and alert the pilot if the 

low oil pressure is the result of a failed 

oil pump. The MGB oil auto bypass 

system eliminates the need for the pilot 

to manually switch the bypass valve 

when the oil pressure drops below 35 

psi. The AMS software upgrade is to 

automate the bypass valve and to alert 

the pilot that the low oil pressure may 

be the result of a failed oil pump. 

Knowing the low oil pressure is the 

result of a failed oil pump and not due 

to oil leakage will allow the pilot to 

switch the bypass valve out of bypass to 

cool the oil. When the oil is not cooled, 

the hot oil may cause the input module 

seals to fail allowing an excessive 

amount of oil to leak resulting in failure 

of the MGB. There have been several 

incidents of a pump failure where the 

oil had the potential to reach a high 

enough temperature to damage the seals. 

The EGPWS software change provides a 

new aural warning of a complete oil 

pressure loss. 

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 

this same type design. 

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42720 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 141 / Wednesday, July 23, 2014 / Proposed Rules 

Related Service Information 

Sikorsky has issued the following 

service information: 

• Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 

92–63–024C, Revision C, dated October 

7, 2011, for certain serial-numbered 

helicopters specifies installing a main 

module input gear box switch assembly 

and modifying the MGB vacuum switch 

wiring. Before making the modification, 

the ASB states an AMS 4.1 or greater 

version must first be installed and the 

following Customer Service Notices 

(CSN) completed: CSN 92–068C, 

Revision C, dated March 27, 2012, and 

CSN 92–069A, Revision A, dated 

November 10, 2011. 

• ASB 92–63–027, Basic Issue, dated 

January 21, 2013, for certain serialnumbered helicopters specifies 

installing an MGB oil pressure 

automatic bypass system, activating an 

MGB ‘‘OIL OUT’’ visual warning in the 

AMS 7.1 software, and performing 

systems operational checkout 

procedures. Before or when installing 

the MGB oil pressure auto bypass 

system, the ASB states the following 

must be complied with: CSN 92–089, 

Basic Issue, dated January 10, 2013; 

ASB 92–34–002, Basic Issue, dated 

January 21, 2013; and ASB 92–63–024C, 

Revision C, dated October 7, 2011. 

• ASB 92–34–002, Basic Issue, dated 

January 21, 2013, for certain serialnumbered helicopters with certain partnumbered EGPWS installed, specifies 

installing EGPWS updated software 

version 030, which adds an MGB ‘‘OIL 

OUT’’ aural warning, in accordance 

with Honeywell International, Inc., 

Service Bulletin 965–1595–34–23, 

Revision 0, dated March 13, 2012. 

Before or during installation of the 

updated software, the ASB states the 

following must be complied with: ASB 

92–63–027, Basic Issue, dated January 

21, 2013, and CSN 92–089, Basic Issue, 

dated January 10, 2013. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

The proposed AD would require, 

within 500 hours time-in-service (TIS): 

• Inserting a copy of the Sikorsky S– 

92A RFM Supplement No. 45, Part I, 

dated July 30, 2012, into the RFM. 

• For certain serial-numbered 

helicopters, installing an MGB failed 

pump sensor and MGB vacuum switch 

wiring. 

• For certain other serial-numbered 

helicopters, installing an MGB auto 

bypass system, activating AMS 7.1 

software, and installing EGPWS 

software version 030. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the Service Information 

This AD proposes compliance within 

500 hours TIS, and the service 

information specifies certain dates and 

calendar times. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect 44 helicopters of U.S. 

Registry. 

We estimate that operators may incur 

the following costs in order to comply 

with this AD. Labor costs are estimated 

at $85 per hour. The work hours and 

required parts costs are estimated as 

follows: 

• .5 work hour to insert the RFM 

Supplement into the RFM. 

• 8 work hours plus $2,200 for 

required parts to install an MGB failed 

pump sensor; 

• 4 work hours plus $250 for required 

parts to install MGB vacuum switch 

wiring; 

• 71.7 work hours plus $4,100 for 

required parts to install an MGB oil 

pressure auto bypass system; 

• 1 work hour to activate AMS 7.1; 

and 

• 1 work hour plus $500 for required 

parts to install EGPWS software. 

The total cost of compliance for all 

actions would be about $14,377 per 

helicopter and $632,588 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 proposed 

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 

■ 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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. 

FAA–2014–0493; Directorate Identifier 

2013–SW–019–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Model S–92A 

helicopters, serial number (S/N) 920006 

through 920179, certificated in any category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

main gearbox (MGB) oil loss, which could 

lead to failure of the MGB and subsequent 

loss of control of the helicopter. 

(c) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by September 

22, 2014. 

(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 500 hours time-in-service: 

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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 141 / Wednesday, July 23, 2014 / Proposed Rules 42721 

(1) Insert a copy of the Sikorsky S–92A 

Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) Supplement 

No. 45, Part I, dated July 30, 2012, into the 

RFM. 

(2) For helicopters with S/N 920006 

through 920132: 

(i) Install an MGB failed pump sensor, 

Modification Kit Part Number (P/N) 92070– 

35007–011. 

(ii) Install MGB vacuum switch wiring, 

Modification Kit P/N 92070–55039–013. 

(3) For helicopters with S/N 920006 

through 920179: 

(i) Install an MGB auto bypass system, 

Modification Kit P/N 92070–55061–011. 

(ii) Activate Aircraft Management System 

7.1 software to show a new MGB ‘‘OIL OUT’’ 

visual warning. 

(iii) Install enhanced ground proximity 

warning system software version 030. 

(f) Special Flight Permit 

Special flight permits are prohibited. 

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOC) 

(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 

michael.schwetz@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. 

(h) Additional Information 

Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 

92–63–024C, Revision C, dated October 7, 

2011; Sikorsky ASBs 92–63–027 and 92–34– 

002, both Basic Issue and both dated January 

21, 2013; Sikorsky Customer Service Notice 

(CSN) 92–068C, Revision C, dated March 27, 

2012; CSN 92–069A, Revision A, dated 

November 10, 2011; CSN 92–089, Basic Issue, 

dated January 10, 2013; and Honeywell 

International, Inc., Service Bulletin 965– 

1595–34–23, Revision 0, dated March 13, 

2012, which are not incorporated by 

reference, contain 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; or at http:// 

www.sikorsky.com and Honeywell 

International, Inc., at 15001 NE. 36 Street, 

Redmond, WA 98052–5316, telephone (800) 

601–3099; or at www.myaerospace.com. You 

may review a copy of this service information 

at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 

Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. 

(i) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6320 Main Rotor Gearbox. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 17, 

2014. 

S. Frances Cox, 

Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–17334 Filed 7–22–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2014–0494; Directorate 

Identifier 2014–CE–017–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Pacific 

Aerospace Limited Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for Pacific 

Aerospace Limited Model 750XL 

airplanes. This proposed AD results 

from mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) 

originated by an aviation authority of 

another country to identify and correct 

an unsafe condition on an aviation 

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 

condition as failure of the fin forward 

pickup due to possible fatigue cracks. 

We are issuing this proposed AD to 

require actions to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by September 8, 2014. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• 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. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed AD, contact Pacific 

Aerospace Unlimited, Airport Road, 

Hamilton, Private Bag HN3027, 

Hamilton 3240, New Zealand, phone: 

+64 7 843 6144; fax: +64 7 843 6134; 

email: pacific@aerospace.co.nz, 

internet: www.aerospace.co.nz. You 

may review this referenced service 

information at the FAA, Small Airplane 

Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, 

Missouri 64106. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, 

call (816) 329–4148. 

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–2014– 

0494; or in person at the Docket 

Management Facility between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. The AD docket 

contains this proposed AD, the 

regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for the Docket Office 

(telephone (800) 647–5527) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl 

Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 

Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 

Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 

telephone: (816) 329–4123; fax: (816) 

329–4090; email: 

Karl.Schletzbaum@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposed AD. Send your comments 

to an address listed under the 

ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2014–0494; Directorate Identifier 

2014–CE–017–AD’’ at the beginning of 

your comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this proposed AD. We will 

consider all comments received by the 

closing date and may amend this 

proposed AD because of those 

comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http:// 

regulations.gov, including any personal 

information you provide. We will also 

post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact we receive 

about this proposed AD. 

Discussion 

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), 

which is the aviation authority for New 

Zealand, has issued AD DCA/750XL/ 

16A, dated June 18, 2014 (referred to 

after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an 

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