Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A Helicopters, 65496-65497 [E9-29430]

Download as PDF 65496 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 236 / Thursday, December 10, 2009 / Proposed Rules FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–4059; fax: (816) 329– 4090. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120–0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2009–0249, dated November 20, 2009, PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Temporary Revision No. 11 to PC–12/47E Pilot’s Operating Handbook, Report No. 02277, dated March 18, 2009; Honeywell International Inc. Service Bulletin KSG 7200–34–09, Revision 0, dated September 24, 2009; and PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PILATUS PC–12 Service Bulletin No: 34–022, dated October 5, 2009, for related information. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 4, 2009. William Timberlake, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E9–29457 Filed 12–9–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2009–1088; Directorate Identifier 2008–SW–76–AD] mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with PROPOSALS RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S–92A Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:17 Dec 09, 2009 Jkt 220001 (AD) for the Sikorsky Model S–92A helicopters. The AD would require revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), Operating Limitations section, to make it clear to operators that this model helicopter was not certificated to the standards that allow for the carriage of human external cargo. This proposal is prompted by a mistake in the RFM, which allows ‘‘Class D’’ rotorcraft load combinations for human external cargo load (HEC) operations for this model. The Model S–92A RFM does not include the required one-engine inoperative (OEI) hover performance and procedures. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to correct the Limitations section of the RFM to prevent HEC operations, which could result in injury or loss of life. DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 8, 2010. ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on this proposed AD: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://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 proposed 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 https:// www.sikorsky.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Coffey, Flight Test Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238–7173, fax (781) 238–7170. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited We invite you to submit any written data, views, or arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to the address listed under the caption ADDRESSES. Include the docket number ‘‘FAA–2009–1088, Directorate Identifier 2008–SW–76–AD’’ at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments. We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https:// 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 proposed rulemaking. 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 or signed the comment. You may review the DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000. Examining the Docket You may examine the docket that contains the proposed AD, any comments, and other information 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. Discussion This document proposes adopting a new AD for the Sikorsky Model S–92A helicopters. The AD would require revising the RFM SA S92A–RFM–003, Part 1, Section 1, Operating Limitations, Types of Operation, by removing the statement ‘‘RESCUE HOIST: Category ‘A’ only External load operations with Class ‘D’ external loads.’’ The AD would require replacing that statement with ‘‘HOIST: Class D external loads PROHIBITED.’’ Also, the AD would require revising the RFM by removing all instances of the terms ‘‘RESCUE HOIST’’ and replacing them with the term ‘‘HOIST.’’ This proposal is prompted by a review of the RFM, in which a mistake was discovered. The RFM states that ‘‘Class D’’ external loads are approved for external load operations for this model. However, the Model S–92A does not comply with the requirements of 14 CFR 29.865(c)(6) because, for HEC applications requiring use of Category A rotorcraft, that rotorcraft must have OEI hover performance and procedures in the RFM for the weights, altitudes and temperatures for which that external load approval is requested. The Model E:\FR\FM\10DEP1.SGM 10DEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 236 / Thursday, December 10, 2009 / Proposed Rules S–92A RFM does not contain that information. For conducting external load operations under 14 CFR 133, the FAA has defined HEC to be a rotorcraftload combination ‘‘Class D’’ operation. The actions in the proposed AD are intended to correct this mistake and to prevent HEC operation in noncompliance with the requirements, which could result in injury or loss of life. This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of the same type design. Therefore, the proposed AD would require revising the RFM SA S92A–RFM–003 in accordance with the statements in the previous paragraph. We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 65 helicopters of U.S. registry. Correcting the wording in the RFM would take a minimal amount of time resulting in minimal cost. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with PROPOSALS Regulatory Findings We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. Additionally, 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); 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. 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 VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:17 Dec 09, 2009 Jkt 220001 that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 65497 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety. 33 CFR Part 117 The Proposed Amendment RIN 1625–AA09 Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA–2009–1088; Directorate Identifier 2008–SW–76–AD. Applicability: Model S–92A helicopters, certificated in any category. Compliance: Required within 90 days, unless accomplished previously. To correct a mistake in the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to prevent human external cargo (HEC) operations, which could result in injury or loss of life, do the following: (a) Revise the RFM SA S92A–RFM–003, Part 1, Section 1, Operating Limitations, Types of Operation, by removing the statement ‘‘RESCUE HOIST: Category ‘A’ only External load operations with Class ‘D’ external loads.’’ Replace that statement with ‘‘HOIST: Class D external loads PROHIBITED.’’ Also, throughout the entire RFM, remove the term ‘‘RESCUE HOIST,’’ and replace it with the term ‘‘HOIST.’’ These revisions may be made by inserting a copy of this AD into the RFM, by making the changes in pen and ink, or by inserting a copy of the Sikorsky RFM revision containing these requirements into the RFM. (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, FAA, ATTN: John Coffey, Flight Test Engineer, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238–7173, fax (781) 238– 7170, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 23, 2009. Mark R. Schilling, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E9–29430 Filed 12–9–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 [Docket No. USCG–2009–0839] Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Bullards Ferry Bridge, Coquille River, Bandon, OR Coast Guard, DHS. Notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily modify the drawbridge operation regulation for the U.S. Highway 101 Bullards Ferry Bridge that crosses over the Coquille River at mile 3.5 near Bandon, Oregon so that the vertical lift span would not need to open for ten months while the bridge is being painted. The proposed rule is necessary to ensure that the painting operation will not be disrupted by bridge openings. The bridge has not had to be opened for a vessel in seven years. DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before February 8, 2010. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Coast Guard docket number USCG–2009–0839 using any one of the following methods: (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. (2) Fax: 202–493–2251. (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M–30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590– 0001. (4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202–366–9329. To avoid duplication, please use only one of these methods. See the ‘‘Public Participation and Request for Comments’’ portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed rule, call Austin Pratt, Chief, Bridge Section, Waterways Management Branch, Thirteenth Coast Guard District, telephone 206–220–7282, e-mail address william.a.pratt@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202–366–9826. E:\FR\FM\10DEP1.SGM 10DEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 236 (Thursday, December 10, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65496-65497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29430]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-1088; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-76-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
(Sikorsky) Model S-92A Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) for the Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters. The AD would require 
revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), Operating Limitations 
section, to make it clear to operators that this model helicopter was 
not certificated to the standards that allow for the carriage of human 
external cargo. This proposal is prompted by a mistake in the RFM, 
which allows ``Class D'' rotorcraft load combinations for human 
external cargo load (HEC) operations for this model. The Model S-92A 
RFM does not include the required one-engine inoperative (OEI) hover 
performance and procedures. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to correct the Limitations section of the RFM to prevent 
HEC operations, which could result in injury or loss of life.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 8, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://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 proposed 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 https://www.sikorsky.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Coffey, Flight Test Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7173, fax (781) 238-7170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any written data, views, or arguments 
regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to the address listed 
under the caption ADDRESSES. Include the docket number ``FAA-2009-1088, 
Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-76-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://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 proposed rulemaking. 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 or signed the comment. You may review the DOT's complete 
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 
2000.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposed AD, any 
comments, and other information 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.

Discussion

    This document proposes adopting a new AD for the Sikorsky Model S-
92A helicopters. The AD would require revising the RFM SA S92A-RFM-003, 
Part 1, Section 1, Operating Limitations, Types of Operation, by 
removing the statement ``RESCUE HOIST: Category `A' only External load 
operations with Class `D' external loads.'' The AD would require 
replacing that statement with ``HOIST: Class D external loads 
PROHIBITED.'' Also, the AD would require revising the RFM by removing 
all instances of the terms ``RESCUE HOIST'' and replacing them with the 
term ``HOIST.'' This proposal is prompted by a review of the RFM, in 
which a mistake was discovered. The RFM states that ``Class D'' 
external loads are approved for external load operations for this 
model. However, the Model S-92A does not comply with the requirements 
of 14 CFR 29.865(c)(6) because, for HEC applications requiring use of 
Category A rotorcraft, that rotorcraft must have OEI hover performance 
and procedures in the RFM for the weights, altitudes and temperatures 
for which that external load approval is requested. The Model

[[Page 65497]]

S-92A RFM does not contain that information. For conducting external 
load operations under 14 CFR 133, the FAA has defined HEC to be a 
rotorcraft-load combination ``Class D'' operation. The actions in the 
proposed AD are intended to correct this mistake and to prevent HEC 
operation in noncompliance with the requirements, which could result in 
injury or loss of life.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type design. Therefore, the proposed AD would 
require revising the RFM SA S92A-RFM-003 in accordance with the 
statements in the previous paragraph.
    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 65 helicopters of 
U.S. registry. Correcting the wording in the RFM would take a minimal 
amount of time resulting in minimal cost.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. Additionally, 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); 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.

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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2009-1088; Directorate 
Identifier 2008-SW-76-AD.

    Applicability: Model S-92A helicopters, certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required within 90 days, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To correct a mistake in the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to 
prevent human external cargo (HEC) operations, which could result in 
injury or loss of life, do the following:
    (a) Revise the RFM SA S92A-RFM-003, Part 1, Section 1, Operating 
Limitations, Types of Operation, by removing the statement ``RESCUE 
HOIST: Category `A' only External load operations with Class `D' 
external loads.'' Replace that statement with ``HOIST: Class D 
external loads PROHIBITED.'' Also, throughout the entire RFM, remove 
the term ``RESCUE HOIST,'' and replace it with the term ``HOIST.'' 
These revisions may be made by inserting a copy of this AD into the 
RFM, by making the changes in pen and ink, or by inserting a copy of 
the Sikorsky RFM revision containing these requirements into the 
RFM.
    (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, FAA, 
ATTN: John Coffey, Flight Test Engineer, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7173, fax (781) 238-
7170, for information about previously approved alternative methods 
of compliance.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 23, 2009.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-29430 Filed 12-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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