Document ID: FAA-2019-0389-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters
Posted Date: 2019-05-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 100 (Thursday, May 23, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23740-23742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10772]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 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. 84, No. 100 / Thursday, May 23, 2019 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 23740]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0389; Product Identifier 2018-SW-035-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-10-
07, which applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-
76C helicopters. AD 2018-10-07 requires inspecting the engine 
collective position transducer (CPT). Since we issued AD 2018-10-07, we 
determined that an additional part-numbered engine CPT is affected by 
the same unsafe condition. This proposed AD would retain the 
requirements of AD 2018-10-07 and expand the applicability to include 
the additional engine CPT. We are proposing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 8, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact your local 
Sikorsky Field Representative or Sikorsky's Service Engineering Group 
at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, 124 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; 
telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-416-4299; email 
wcs_cust_service_eng.gr-sik@lmco.com. Operators may also log on to the 
Sikorsky 360 website at https://www.sikorsky360.com. You may view this 
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 
76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (817) 222-5110.

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-2019-
0389; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nick Rediess, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7159; email: 
nicholas.rediess@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-2019-0389; 
Product Identifier 2018-SW-035-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because 
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 we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We issued AD 2018-10-07, Amendment 39-19282 (83 FR 23355, May 21, 
2018), (``AD 2018-10-07''), for Sikorsky Model S-76C helicopters with a 
Turbomeca, S.A., Arriel 2S1 or Arriel 2S2 engine with an engine CPT 
part number (P/N) 76900-01821-104 installed. AD 2018-10-07 requires 
initial and recurring inspections of each CPT by measuring resistance, 
linearity resistance movement, and differential voltage, and depending 
on the outcome of the inspections, replacing the CPT. AD 2018-10-07 
resulted from 20 reports of One Engine Inoperative (OEI) incidents 
resulting from wear of an engine CPT. We issued AD 2018-10-07 to detect 
wear of a CPT prior to it causing an OEI condition and possible 
emergency landing.

Actions Since AD 2018-10-07 Was Issued

    Since AD 2018-10-07 was issued, Sikorsky has introduced CPT P/N 
76900-01821-105. While this part is expected to be an improvement over 
CPN P/N 76900-01821-104 in regard to the frequency of the potential 
unsafe condition, there is not enough service history on this new part 
to indicate that it will eliminate the unsafe condition.
    This NPRM would retain the requirements of AD 2018-10-07 and would 
expand the applicability to include engine CPT P/N 76900-01821-105. 
Inspections of engine CPT P/N 76900-01821-105 are necessary since it is 
subject to the same unsafe condition as P/N 76900-01821-104 due to 
design similarity.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Sikorsky S-76 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
76-73-8, Revision A, dated December 4, 2015 (ASB 76-73-8A), which 
specifies a one-time inspection of total resistance, linearity 
resistant movement, excitation voltage, and differential voltage of the 
CPTs using CPT Test Box P/N 76700-40009-042.
    We reviewed Sikorsky Maintenance Manual, SA 4047-76C-2, Temporary 
Revision No. 73-07, dated August 17, 2016 (TR 73-07), which specifies 
removing, installing, and adjusting the CPTs, and inspecting total 
resistance,

[[Page 23741]]

linearity resistant movement, excitation voltage, and differential 
voltage of the CPTs. TR 73-07 also divides the procedures by CPT Test 
Box P/N by providing separate procedures for test boxes modified by 
Sikorsky Special Service Instructions (SSI) No. 76-96, dated August 19, 
2016, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    We also reviewed Sikorsky Maintenance Manual, SA 4047-76C-2, 
Temporary Revision No. 73-08, dated September 20, 2017 (TR 73-08), 
which updates the procedures in TR 73-07. TR 73-08 does not divide the 
procedures by CPT Test Box P/N as it eliminates the procedures for CPT 
Test Box P/N 76700-40009-042. TR 73-08 omits obsolete figures and it 
provides inspection results as pass or fail.
    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 section.

Other Related Service Information

    We reviewed Sikorsky S-76 Helicopter ASB 76-73-8, Basic Issue, 
dated August 21, 2015 (ASB 76-73-8). ASB 76-73-8 contains the same 
procedures as ASB 76-73-8A; however, ASB 76-73-8A updates Sikorsky's 
contact information for submitting a purchase order.
    We also reviewed Sikorsky SA 4047-76C-2-1, Temporary Revision No. 
5-181, dated August 21, 2015 (TR 5-181); Task 5-20-00 of Sikorsky 
Airworthiness Limitations and Inspection Requirements, Publication No. 
SA 4047-76C-2-1, Revision 24, dated December 15, 2015 (Task 5-20-00); 
and Section 73-22-04 of Chapter 73 Engine Fuel and Control, of Sikorsky 
Maintenance Manual, SA 4047-76C-2, Revision 31, dated December 15, 2015 
(Section 73-22-04). TR 5-181 specifies adding CPT inspections 
referenced in Section 73-22-04 to the 300-hour inspection checklist 
contained in Task 5-20-00.
    We reviewed Sikorksy Safety Advisory No. SSA-S76-11-0002, dated May 
17, 2011. This service information provides precautionary instructions 
to minimize hazardous situations that might result from an unreliable 
CPT.
    We also reviewed Sikorsky SSI No. 76-96, dated August 19, 2016, 
which contains procedures to modify CPT Test Box P/N 76700-40009-042 
and re-identify it as P/N 76700-40009-043. This one-time modification 
reduces the instructions to inspect the CPT and improves the inspection 
accuracy.
    We reviewed Sikorsky SSI No. 76-87, dated July 24, 2015, and SSI 
No. 76-87A, Revision A, dated August 21, 2015. These SSIs specify a 
one-time inspection of total resistance, linearity resistant movement, 
excitation voltage, and differential voltage of the CPTs using CPT Test 
Box P/N 76700-40009-042.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain all of the requirements of AD 2018-
10-07, but would add engine CPT P/N 76900-01821-105 to the 
applicability.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Sikorsky ASB 76-73-8A, TR 73-07, and TR 73-08 specify using and 
returning Sikorsky's CPT data sheet and any failed CPT to Sikorsky. 
This proposed AD would not.

Interim Action

    We consider this proposed AD to be an interim action. The design 
approval holder is currently developing a modification that will 
address the unsafe condition identified in this proposed AD. Once this 
modification is developed, approved, and available, we might consider 
additional rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 115 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour.
    The inspections would take about 3.75 work-hours for an estimated 
cost of $319 per helicopter and $36,685 for the U.S. fleet per 
inspection cycle. Replacing a CPT would take about 6 work-hours and 
parts would cost $3,072 for an estimated replacement cost of $3,582.

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 have 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 above, I certify that the 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, 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.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2018-10-07, Amendment 39-19282 (83 FR 23355, May 21, 2018), and adding 
the following new AD:

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2019-0389; Product 
Identifier 2018-SW-035-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 8, 2019.

[[Page 23742]]

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2018-10-07, Amendment 39-19282 (83 FR 23355, 
May 21, 2018).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-76C 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with a Turbomeca, S.A., 
Arriel 2S1 or Arriel 2S2 engine with an engine collective position 
transducer (CPT) part number (P/N) 76900-01821-104 or 76900-01821-
105 installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC): 7300, Engine Fuel and 
Control.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of wear of the CPT that has 
resulted in several One Engine Inoperative (OEI) incidents. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of a CPT. The unsafe condition, 
if not addressed, could result in a reduction in power to one engine 
resulting in an annunciated momentary OEI condition and subsequent 
emergency landing.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 130 hours time-in-service (TIS):
    (i) Measure resistance of each engine CPT and replace the CPT if 
the measured resistance is not within tolerance by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.C.(1) through 3.C.(8)(b), 
of Sikorsky S-76 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB 76-73-8, 
Revision A, dated December 4, 2015 (ASB 76-73-8A), if using Test Box 
P/N 76700-40009-042 or by following paragraph 3.B.(11) of Sikorsky 
Maintenance Manual, SA 4047-76C-2, Temporary Revision No. 73-08, 
dated September 20, 2017 (TR 73-08), if using Test Box P/N 76700-
40009-043. You are not required to use Sikorsky's CPT data sheet or 
submit a data sheet to Sikorsky.
    (ii) Measure the linearity resistance movement of each engine 
CPT and replace the CPT if there is a linear abnormality or change 
in resistance that is not within tolerance by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.D.(1) through 3.D.(14)(b), 
of ASB 76-73-8A, if using Test Box P/N 76700-40009-042 or by 
following paragraph 3.B.(12) of TR 73-08, if using Test Box P/N 
76700-40009-043. You are not required to use Sikorsky's CPT data 
sheet or submit a data sheet to Sikorsky.
    (iii) Measure the differential voltage of each engine CPT and 
replace the CPT if the measured voltage is not within tolerance by 
following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.E. through 
3.G.(1) of ASB 76-73-8A, if using Test Box P/N 76700-40009-042 or by 
following paragraph 3.B.(13) of TR 73-08, if using Test Box P/N 
76700-40009-043. You are not required to use Sikorsky's CPT data 
sheet or submit a data sheet to Sikorsky.
    (2) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS:
    (i) If using Test Box P/N 76700-40009-042:
    (A) Measure resistance of each engine CPT and replace the CPT if 
the resistance is not within tolerance by following paragraph 
4.B.(11) of Sikorsky Maintenance Manual, SA 4047-76C-2, Temporary 
Revision No. 73-07, dated August 17, 2016 (TR 73-07), except you are 
not required to use Sikorsky's CPT data sheet or return a failed CPT 
to Sikorsky.
    (B) Measure the linearity resistance movement of each engine CPT 
and replace the CPT if the movement exceeds tolerance by following 
paragraphs 4.B.(12)(a) through 4.B.(13)(f) of TR 73-07, except you 
are not required to use Sikorsky's CPT data sheet or return a failed 
CPT to Sikorsky.
    (C) Measure the differential voltage of each CPT by following 
paragraphs 4.B.(14) through 4.B.(15)(h) of TR 73-07, except you are 
not required to use Sikorsky's CPT data sheet. If the maximum 
voltage is greater than 100 millivolts or the minimum voltage is 
less than -100 millivolts, replace the CPT.
    (ii) For helicopters using Test Box P/N 76700-40009-043:
    (A) Measure resistance of each engine CPT and replace the CPT if 
the resistance is not within tolerance by following paragraph 
5.B.(11) of TR 73-07 or paragraph 3.B.(11) of TR 73-08, except you 
are not required to use Sikorsky's CPT data sheet or return a failed 
CPT to Sikorsky.
    (B) Measure the resistance linearity of each engine CPT and 
replace the CPT if the resistance is not within tolerance by 
following paragraph 5.B.(12) of TR 73-07 or paragraph 3.B.(12) of TR 
73-08, except you are not required to use Sikorsky's CPT data sheet 
or return a failed CPT to Sikorsky.
    (C) Measure the differential voltage of each engine CPT and 
replace the CPT if the resistance is not within tolerance by 
following paragraphs 5.B.(13)(a) through 5.B.(13)(k) of TR 73-07 or 
paragraph 3.B.(13) of TR 73-08, except you are not required to use 
Sikorsky's CPT data sheet or return a failed CPT to Sikorsky.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with the procedures specified in Sikorsky S-76 Helicopter 
Alert Service Bulletin ASB 76-73-8, Basic Issue, dated August 21, 
2015; Sikorsky Special Service Instruction SSI No. 76-87, dated July 
24, 2015; or Sikorsky Special Service Instruction SSI No. 76-87, 
Revision A, dated August 21, 2015, are considered acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding actions specified in paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request 
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District 
Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the 
manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Nick Rediess, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
(781) 238-7159; email: nicholas.rediess@faa.gov.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact your 
local Sikorsky Field Representative or Sikorsky's Service 
Engineering Group at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, 124 Quarry Road, 
Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-416-4299; email 
wcs_cust_service_eng.gr-sik@lmco.com. Operators may also log on to 
the Sikorsky 360 website at https://www.sikorsky360.com. You may 
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 15, 2019.
Helene Gandy,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-10772 Filed 5-22-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P