This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by

the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of

new books are listed in the first FEDERAL

REGISTER issue of each week.

Rules and Regulations Federal Register

18977 

Vol. 74, No. 79 

Monday, April 27, 2009 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2009–0351; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–SW–08–AD; Amendment 39– 

15886; AD 2009–07–53] 

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) 

2009–07–53, 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 amendment is 

prompted by the failure of 2 main 

gearbox filter bowl assembly studs 

(studs) that were found broken during a 

fatal accident investigation in Canada. 

Prior to the accident, the manufacturer 

was investigating a July 2008 incident 

that also involved broken studs. In both 

cases, the broken studs resulted in rapid 

loss of oil. The failures have been tied 

to fretting and galling of the original 

titanium studs; therefore, this AD 

requires removing all titanium studs 

and replacing them with steel studs. 

The actions specified by this AD are 

intended to prevent failure of a stud, 

which could result in rapid loss of oil, 

failure of the main gearbox, and 

subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

DATES: Effective April 27, 2009, to all 

persons except those persons to whom 

it was made immediately effective by 

Emergency AD 2009–07–53, issued on 

March 23, 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 April 27, 

2009. 

Comments for inclusion in the Rules 

Docket must be received on or before 

June 26, 2009. 

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: Kirk 

Gustafson, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 

Engine and Propeller Directorate, FAA, 

12 New England Executive Park, 

Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 

238–7190, fax (781) 238–7170. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 

23, 2009, we issued Emergency AD 

2009–07–53 for Sikorsky Model S–92A 

helicopters, which requires, before 

further flight, removing all titanium 

studs that attach the main gearbox filter 

bowl assembly to the main gearbox and 

replacing them with steel studs. That 

action was prompted by the failure of 2 

studs that were found broken during a 

fatal accident investigation in Canada. 

Prior to the accident, the manufacturer 

was investigating a July 2008 incident 

that also involved broken studs. In both 

cases, the broken studs resulted in rapid 

loss of oil. The failures have been tied 

to fretting and galling of the original 

titanium studs. This condition, if not 

corrected, could result in failure of a 

stud, which could result in rapid loss of 

oil, failure of the main gearbox, and 

subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

We have reviewed Sikorsky Alert 

Service Bulletin No. 92–63–014A, 

Revision A, dated March 20, 2009 

(ASB), which describes procedures for 

removing the main gearbox filter bowl 

assembly titanium mounting studs and 

replacing them with steel mounting 

studs. 

Since the unsafe condition described 

is likely to exist or develop on other 

Sikorsky Model S–92A helicopters of 

the same type design, we issued 

Emergency AD 2009–07–53 to prevent 

failure of a stud, which could result in 

rapid loss of oil, failure of the main 

gearbox, and subsequent loss of control 

of the helicopter. The AD requires, 

before further flight, removing all 

titanium studs and replacing them with 

steel studs. The actions must be 

accomplished in accordance with 

specified portions of the ASB described 

previously. The short compliance time 

involved is required because the 

previously described critical unsafe 

condition can adversely affect the 

structural integrity of the helicopter. 

Therefore, removing all titanium studs 

and replacing them with steel studs is 

required before further flight, and this 

AD must be issued immediately. 

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 March 23, 2009 to all 

known U.S. owners and operators of 

Sikorsky Model S–92A helicopters. 

These conditions still exist, and the AD 


dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with RULES
18978 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 79 / Monday, April 27, 2009 / Rules and Regulations 

is hereby published in the Federal 

Register as an amendment to 14 CFR 

39.13 to make it effective to all persons. 

We estimate that this AD will affect 

32 helicopters of U.S. registry. 

Replacing the studs will take 

approximately 6 work hours per 

helicopter to accomplish at an average 

labor rate of $80 per work hour. Per the 

ASB, required parts and tooling are 

available at no cost. Based on these 

figures, we estimate the total cost 

impact of the AD on U.S. operators to 

be $15,360, assuming there are no parts 

and tooling costs. 

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; 

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–2009–0351; 

Directorate Identifier 2009–SW–08–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: 

2009–07–53 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: 

Amendment 39–15886. Docket No. 

FAA–2009–0351; Directorate Identifier 

2009–SW–08–AD. 

Applicability: Model S–92A helicopters 

with a main gearbox housing assembly, part 

number (P/N) 92351–15110–042, –043, or 

–044, that is not marked with ‘‘TS–062–01’’ 

near the P/N, certificated in any category. 

Compliance: Required before further flight, 

unless accomplished previously. 

To prevent failure of a main gearbox filter 

bowl assembly mounting stud (stud), which 

could result in rapid loss of oil, failure of the 

main gearbox, and subsequent loss of control 

of the helicopter, accomplish the following: 

(a) Remove the titanium studs by following 

the Accomplishment Instructions in Sikorsky 

Alert Service Bulletin No. 92–63–014, Rev. 

A, dated March 20, 2009 (ASB), paragraph 

3.A. 

Note: Figure 1 of the ASB contains 

guidance for removal and installation of the 

studs. 

(b) Visually inspect the tapped holes and 

the main gearbox housing lockring 

counterbore for damage. If you find damage 

in the tapped holes or in the main gearbox 

housing lockring counterbore, contact the 

Boston Aircraft Certification Office for an 

approved repair. 

(c) Install steel studs and mark the main 

gearbox housing as ‘‘TS–062–01’’ near the P/ 

N by following the Accomplishment 

Instructions in the ASB, paragraph 3.C. 

(d) 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, Engine and Propeller 

Directorate, FAA, Attn: Kirk Gustafson, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, 12 New England 

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, 

telephone (781) 238–7190, fax (781) 238– 

7170, for information about previously 

approved alternative methods of compliance. 

(e) Special flight permits will not be 

issued. 

(f) Remove and replace the studs by 

following the specified portions of Sikorsky 

Alert Service Bulletin No. 92–63–014, Rev. 

A, dated March 20, 2009. The Director of the 

Federal Register approved this incorporation 

by reference in accordance with 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, email 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. 

(g) This amendment becomes effective on 

April 27, 2009, to all persons except those 

persons to whom it was made immediately 

effective by Emergency AD 2009–07–53, 

issued March 23, 2009, which contained the 

requirements of this amendment. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 9, 

2009. 

Mark R. Schilling, 

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E9–9301 Filed 4–24–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


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