Document ID: FAA-2023-0018-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters
Posted Date: 2023-01-17T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 17, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2558-2561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00698]

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 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. 88, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 17, 2023 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 2558]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0018; Project Identifier AD-2022-00883-R]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2022-02-01, which applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-92A 
helicopters with certain part-numbered main rotor stationary swashplate 
assemblies (swashplate assemblies) that have accumulated 1,600 or more 
total hours time-in-service (TIS) installed. AD 2022-02-01 requires 
visually inspecting the swashplate assembly at specified intervals and 
depending on the results, removing the swashplate assembly from 
service. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-02-01, the FAA determined it was 
necessary to expand the applicability and require more detailed 
inspections to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would 
retain the actions of AD 2022-02-01, expand the applicability, add a 
detailed recurring visual inspection, and require either eddy current 
inspections (ECI) or fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI). The FAA 
is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 3, 
2023.

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 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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2023-0018; 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, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For Sikorsky service information identified in this NPRM, 
contact your local Sikorsky Field Representative or Sikorsky's Service 
Engineering Group at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Mailstop K100, 124 
Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-946-4337 (1-800-
Winged-S); email [email protected]. Operators may 
also log on to the Sikorsky 360 website at 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jared Hyman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-
7799; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-0018; Project Identifier 
AD-2022-00883-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
the proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Jared 
Hyman, Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, 
Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-7799; email: [email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not 
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for 
this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued AD 2022-02-01, Amendment 39-21898 (87 FR 2316, 
January 14, 2022) (AD 2022-02-01), for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
Model S-92A helicopters with a swashplate assembly part number (P/N) 
92104-15011-042 or P/N 92104-15011-043 that has accumulated 1,600 or 
more total hours TIS, installed. AD 2022-02-01 was prompted by a 
notification of an in-service crack in a swashplate assembly inner 
ring. The crack, discovered during a routine inspection, extended 
between the uniball bore and

[[Page 2559]]

near the right-hand trunnion to servo attach bolt hole. This condition, 
if not detected and corrected, could result in fretting wear on the 
shoulder that supports the clamp-up of the uniball outer race, failure 
of the swashplate assembly, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter. AD 2022-02-01 requires, within 50 hours TIS and thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS, visually inspecting the upper 
and lower surfaces of the swashplate assembly for a crack, nick, dent, 
and scratch. If there is a crack, nick, dent, or scratch that exceeds 
allowable limits, AD 2022-02-01 requires removing the swashplate 
assembly from service before further flight. The agency issued AD 2022-
02-01 to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Actions Since AD 2022-02-01 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2022-02-01, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
issued Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB 92-62-010, 
Basic Issue, dated January 26, 2022 (ASB 92-62-010), for Sikorsky 
Aircraft Corporation Model S-92A helicopters with serial numbers 920006 
and subsequent equipped with swashplate assembly P/N 92104-15011-042 or 
P/N 92104-15011-043, delivered as of January 26, 2022 (the issuance 
date of ASB 92-62-010). ASB 92-62-010 specifies a visual inspection of 
the swashplate assembly for cracks followed by recurring 50-hour 
inspections. Depending on the accrued flight time, maximum gross 
weight, or suspicion of cracks, ASB 92-62-010 specifies performing 
either an FPI or ECI. Prior to the FAA issuing AD 2022-02-01, Sikorsky 
Aircraft provided a comment to the NPRM (86 FR 47041, August 23, 2021) 
for that AD stating that the 50-hour recurring inspections proposed in 
the NPRM were insufficient based on recent fatigue evaluations, which 
had introduced a new failure mode. Sikorsky Aircraft further stated 
that this new failure mode requires improved detection capability, 
which would be introduced in a forthcoming revision to Sikorsky S-92 
Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB 92-62-009, Basic Issue, dated 
February 6, 2019 (ASB 92-62-009). Sikorsky Aircraft explained that the 
planned revision would specify special inspections at 50-hour, 375-
hour, and 1,500-hour intervals to visually detect a potential fatigue 
crack at specific regions of the swashplate and would include criteria 
for when to accomplish an FPI or ECI. Since providing that comment, 
Sikorsky Aircraft has updated its guidance and retained ASB 92-62-009 
and issued ASB 92-62-010. The special 375-hour and 1,500-hour 
inspections with added specific focus on the swashplate region were 
incorporated into the maintenance manual and not into a service 
bulletin. Based on continued analysis, the FAA has determined that the 
unsafe condition could exist on swashplate assemblies regardless of 
accumulated usage and accordingly has expanded the applicability of 
this proposed AD. In addition, the FAA has determined it is necessary 
to require more detailed inspections to address the new failure mode.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed ASB 92-62-010, which specifies a visual inspection 
of the swashplate assembly to determine if there are any cracks and 
initiates a 50-hour recurring visual inspection. If cracks are found, 
ASB 92-62-010 specifies replacing the swashplate assembly. Dependent on 
accrued flight time or suspicion of cracks, an FPI or ECI is performed. 
ASB 92-62-010 also specifies returning the swashplate assembly, uniball 
bearing, trunnions, and all attachment hardware to Sikorsky for 
investigation if cracks are found.
    This proposed AD would also require ASB 92-62-009, which the 
Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by 
reference as of February 18, 2022 (87 FR 2316, January 14, 2022).
    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 ADDRESSES.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would continue to require, for swashplate 
assemblies that have accumulated 1,600 or more total hours TIS, certain 
recurring visual inspections. This proposed AD would also expand the 
visual inspections required by AD 2022-02-01 and revise the 
applicability statement of AD 2022-02-01. This proposed AD would 
require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
already described, except as discussed under ``Differences Between this 
AD and the Service Information.''

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The applicability statement in this proposed AD does not identify 
airframe serial numbers, whereas the effectivity of ASB 92-62-010 does. 
This proposed AD would affect all swashplate assemblies P/N 92104-
15011-042 and P/N 92104-15011-043 regardless of delivery date, whereas 
the effectivity of ASB 92-62-010 is for those part-numbered swashplate 
assemblies delivered as of January 26, 2022 (the issuance date of ASB 
92-62-010). ASB 92-62-009 specifies a one-time visual inspection of the 
swashplate assembly; this proposed AD would require recurring visual 
inspections of the swashplate assembly to determine if any crack, nick, 
dent, or scratch develops over time. This proposed AD does not require 
returning parts to or contacting Sikorsky, while ASB 92-62-009 and ASB 
92-62-010 specify performing those actions.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 89 helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 
per work-hour.
    Visually inspecting a swashplate assembly would take about 1.0 
work-hour, for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $7,565 for 
the U.S. fleet, per inspection cycle.
    Performing an ECI or FPI would take about 8.0 work-hours, for an 
estimated cost of $680 per helicopter and $60,520 for the U.S. fleet, 
per inspection cycle.
    Replacing the swashplate assembly, if required, would take about 16 
work-hours and parts cost about $389,720, for an estimated cost of 
$391,080 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.
    The FAA is 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

[[Page 2560]]

that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely 
to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2022-02-01, Amendment 39-21898 (87 
FR 2316, January 14, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2023-0018; Project 
Identifier AD-2022-00883-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by March 3, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2022-02-01, Amendment 39-21898 (87 FR 2316, 
January 14, 2022) (AD 2022-02-01).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-92A 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with a main rotor 
stationary swashplate assembly (swashplate assembly) part number (P/
N) 92104-15011-042 or P/N 92104-15011-043 installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6230, Main Rotor 
Mast/Swashplate.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery of a crack on the 
swashplate assembly inner ring. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect 
cracks that could result in fretting wear on the shoulder that 
supports the clamp-up of the uniball outer race. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the 
swashplate assembly and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Definition

    For the purposes of this AD, a ``suspected crack'' is a nick, 
scratch, or crack in the paint or primer that includes observable 
metallic base material.

(h) Required Actions

    (1) For helicopters with swashplate assemblies identified in 
paragraph (c) of this AD that have accumulated 1,600 or more total 
hours time-in-service on the swashplate assembly, within 50 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) from February 18, 2022 (the effective date of 
AD 2022-02-01), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours 
TIS, visually inspect the swashplate assembly for a crack, nick, 
dent, and scratch, by following the Accomplishment Instructions, 
Section 3, paragraph B. (except paragraphs B.(2)(a) through (c)) of 
Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB 92-62-009, Basic 
Issue, dated February 6, 2019. If there is a crack, nick, dent, or 
scratch that exceeds the allowable limits, before further flight, 
remove the swashplate assembly from service.
    (2) For helicopters with swashplate assemblies identified in 
paragraph (c) of this AD, within 50 hours TIS after the effective 
date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours 
TIS, visually inspect the swashplate assembly for surface 
discontinuities and suspected cracks by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Section 3., paragraphs B.(1) through (3), of Sikorsky 
S-92 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB 92-62-010, Basic Issue, 
dated January 26, 2022 (ASB 92-62-010). If there is any surface 
discontinuity or suspected crack, before further flight, remove the 
trunnion and accomplish an eddy current inspection (ECI) or 
fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) for a crack by accomplishing 
the actions in paragraph (h)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (i) Accomplish an ECI by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Section 3, paragraphs C.(1) through (6), but not 
paragraph C.(6)(c)(1)., of ASB 92-62-010.
    (ii) Accomplish an FPI by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Section 3, paragraphs D.(1) through (5), except 
paragraph D.(4), of ASB 92-62-010.
    (3) For helicopters with a swashplate assembly identified in 
paragraph (c) of this AD certified for operation at a maximum gross 
weight of 26,500 lbs. that have accumulated 8,600 or more total 
hours TIS on the swashplate assembly, or certified for operation at 
a maximum gross weight of 27,700 lbs. that have accumulated 3,300 or 
more total hours TIS on the swashplate assembly, within 50 hours TIS 
after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not 
to exceed 50 hours TIS, with the trunnion installed, accomplish an 
ECI or FPI of the uniball lower bore lip, uniball upper bore, and 
each trunnion mount bolt hole for a crack by accomplishing the 
actions in paragraph (h)(3)(i) or (ii) of this AD, as applicable.
    (i) Accomplish an ECI by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Section 3, paragraphs C.(2) through (6), but not 
paragraph C.(6)(c)1., of ASB 92-62-010.
    (ii) Accomplish an FPI by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Section 3, paragraphs D.(2), (3), and (5) of ASB 92-
62-010.
    (4) If there is a crack as a result of any of the inspections 
required by paragraph (h)(2) or (3) of this AD, before further 
flight, remove the swashplate assembly from service.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston ACO, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, 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

    For more information about this AD, contact Jared Hyman, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 
01803; telephone (781) 238-7799; email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
[DATE 35 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].
    (i) Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB 92-62-
010, Basic Issue, dated January 26, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]

[[Page 2561]]

    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
February 18, 2022 (87 FR 2316, January 14, 2022).
    (i) Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB 92-62-
009, Basic Issue, dated February 6, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) For Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation service information 
identified in this AD, contact your local Sikorsky Field 
Representative or Sikorsky's Service Engineering Group at Sikorsky 
Aircraft Corporation, Mailstop K100, 124 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 
06611; telephone 1-800-946-4337 (1-800-Winged-S); email 
[email protected]. Operators may also log on to 
the Sikorsky 360 website at sikorsky360.com.
    (6) 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.
    (7) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on January 10, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-00698 Filed 1-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P