Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A Helicopters, 66209-66211 [2011-27669]
Download as PDF
(c) 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
Aviation Safety 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.
(d) The Joint Aircraft System/Component
(JASC) Code is 7200: Engine (Turbine/
Turboprop).
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 7,
2011.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–27670 Filed 10–25–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:20 Oct 25, 2011
Jkt 226001
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2011–1113; Directorate
Identifier 2009–SW–53–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky
Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model
S–92A Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
66209
This document proposes
adopting a new airworthiness directive
(AD) for the Sikorsky Model S–92A
helicopters. This proposal would
require inspecting each tail rotor blade
(blade) for mislocated aluminum wire
mesh in the blade skin. This proposal is
prompted by the discovery that blades
were manufactured with aluminum wire
mesh mislocated, leaving portions of the
graphite torque tube (spar) region
unprotected from a lightning strike. This
condition can exist in both the upper
and lower blade skin airfoils. The
actions specified by this proposed AD
are intended to detect mislocated blade
wire mesh and to prevent spar
delamination, loss of the blade tip cap
during a lightning strike, blade
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\26OCP1.SGM
26OCP1
EP26OC11.066
jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 207 / Wednesday, October 26, 2011 / Proposed Rules
66210
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 207 / Wednesday, October 26, 2011 / Proposed Rules
jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
imbalance, loss of a blade, and
subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before December 27, 2011.
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:
Nicholas Faust, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification
Office, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781)
238–7763, 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–2011–1113, Directorate Identifier
2009–SW–53–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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:20 Oct 25, 2011
Jkt 226001
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 (65 FR 19477–78).
Examining the Docket
You may examine the docket that
contains the proposed AD, any
comments, and other information on the
Internet at https://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.
Discussion
This document proposes adopting a
new AD for the Sikorsky Model S–92A
helicopters. This proposal would
require inspecting each blade for
mislocated aluminum wire mesh in the
blade skin. This proposal is prompted
by the discovery that blades were
manufactured with aluminum wire
mesh mislocated, leaving portions of the
graphite torque tube (spar) region
unprotected from a lightning strike. This
condition can exist on both the upper
and lower blade skin airfoils. The
actions specified by this proposed AD
are intended to detect mislocated blade
wire mesh to prevent spar delamination
and loss of the blade tip cap during a
lightning strike leading to blade
imbalance, loss of a blade, and
subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
We have reviewed Sikorsky Special
Service Instructions SSI No. 92–021A,
dated October 21, 2009 (SSI), which
specifies inspecting the blade for
mislocated blade wire mesh. Two
options are identified in the SSI. One
option is to conduct an eddy current
inspection and the other option is to
conduct a visual inspection after
sanding to determine if there is
mislocated wire mesh.
This unsafe condition is likely to exist
or develop on other helicopters of the
same type design. Therefore, the
proposed AD would require inspecting
each blade to determine if the wire
mesh is mislocated and replacing the
blade with an airworthy blade if the
wire mesh is mislocated. The actions
would be required to be done by
following the service information
described previously.
We estimate that this proposed AD
would affect 44 helicopters of U.S.
registry. There are 486 suspect blades
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
worldwide, and we assume 29 percent
(141) of those blades may be on
helicopters of U.S. registry. We estimate
that inspecting a blade for mislocated
wire mesh would take about 4 work
hours per blade, assuming all operators
opt to do the blade sanding inspection
rather than the eddy current inspection,
at an average labor rate of $85 per work
hour. Required parts would cost about
$13,000 for each blade repaired by the
manufacturer or $180,000 for each new
blade. The total cost of the proposed AD
for U.S. operators would be $3,215,940,
assuming 51 blades are found with
mislocated wire mesh, and assuming 36
of those blades are replaced with blades
repaired by the manufacturer and 15
blades are replaced with new blades.
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);
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 a draft economic
evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the
AD docket to examine the draft
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
E:\FR\FM\26OCP1.SGM
26OCP1
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 207 / Wednesday, October 26, 2011 / Proposed Rules
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.
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
[Amended]
jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
2. Section 39.13 is amended by
adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No.
FAA–2011–1113; Directorate Identifier
2009–SW–53–AD.
Applicability: Model S–92A helicopters,
tail rotor blade assembly (blade), part
numbers (P/N) 92170–11000–044, –045, and
–046, with a serial number with a prefix of
‘‘A111’’ and a number equal to or less than
‘‘–00585,’’ installed, certificated in any
category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless
accomplished previously.
To detect mislocated blade wire mesh and
to prevent spar delamination, loss of the
blade tip cap during a lightning strike, blade
imbalance, loss of a blade, and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter, do the
following:
(a) Within 60 days, inspect the upper and
lower airfoils of each tail rotor blade to
determine if the wire mesh is mislocated.
(1) Inspect by using either an eddy current
inspection in accordance with paragraphs
B.(1)(a) through B.(1)(o) or using the handsanding method and visually inspecting in
accordance with paragraphs B.(2)(a) through
B.(2)(d) of Sikorsky Special Service
Instructions SSI No. 92–021A, Revision A,
dated October 21, 2009, except you are not
required to contact or report nonconforming
blades to the manufacturer. If you sand and
visually inspect and confirm the correct
location of the wire mesh, touch-up and
repaint the sanded area.
(2) If there is a blade with a mislocated
wire mesh, before further flight, replace the
blade with an airworthy blade.
(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
16:20 Oct 25, 2011
Jkt 226001
[FR Doc. 2011–27669 Filed 10–25–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. RM11–17–000]
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 7,
2011.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
18 CFR Part 35
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
§ 39.13
Certification Office, FAA, Attn: Nicholas
Faust, Aviation Safety Engineer, Boston
Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803,
telephone (781) 238–7763, fax (781) 238–
7170, for information about previously
approved alternative methods of compliance.
(c) The Joint Aircraft System/Component
(JASC) Code is 6410, Tail Rotor Blades.
Enhancement of Electricity Market
Surveillance and Analysis Through
Ongoing Electronic Delivery of Data
From Regional Transmission
Organizations and Independent
System Operators
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
AGENCY:
The Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (Commission)
proposes to revise its regulations to
require each regional transmission
organization (RTO) and independent
system operator (ISO) to electronically
deliver to the Commission, on an
ongoing basis, data related to the
markets that it administers. Ongoing
electronic delivery of data relating to
physical and virtual offers and bids,
market awards, resource outputs,
marginal cost estimates, shift factors,
financial transmission rights, internal
bilateral contracts, and interchange
pricing will facilitate the Commission’s
development and evaluation of its
policies and regulations and will
enhance Commission efforts to detect
anti-competitive or manipulative
behavior, or ineffective market rules,
thereby helping to ensure just and
reasonable rates.
DATES: Comments on the proposed rule
are due December 27, 2011.
Comments, identified by docket
number, may be filed in the following
ways:
• Electronic Filing through https://
www.ferc.gov. Documents created
electronically using word processing
software should be filed in native
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
66211
applications or print-to-PDF format and
not in a scanned format.
• Mail/Hand Delivery: Those unable
to file electronically may mail or handdeliver comments to: Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the
Commission, 888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20426.
Instructions: For detailed instructions
on submitting comments and additional
information on the rulemaking process,
see the Comment Procedures Section of
this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
William Sauer (Technical Information),
Office of Enforcement, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426,
(202) 502–6639,
william.sauer@ferc.gov.
Christopher Daignault (Legal
Information), Office of the General
Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502–
8286, christopher.daignault@ferc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
October 20, 2011.
1. In this Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (NOPR), the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (Commission)
proposes, pursuant to sections 301(b)
and 307(a) of the Federal Power Act
(FPA),1 to amend its regulations to
require each regional transmission
organization (RTO) and independent
system operator (ISO) to electronically
deliver to the Commission, on an
ongoing basis, data related to the
markets that it administers. Ongoing
electronic delivery of data relating to
physical and virtual offers and bids,
market awards, resource outputs,
marginal cost estimates, shift factors,
financial transmission rights (FTR),
internal bilateral contracts, and
interchange pricing will facilitate the
Commission’s development and
evaluation of its policies and regulations
and will enhance Commission efforts to
detect anti-competitive or manipulative
behavior, or ineffective market rules,
thereby helping to ensure just and
reasonable rates.
I. Background
2. Wholesale electricity markets have
witnessed tremendous change in recent
years. In the decades after the 1935
enactment of the FPA, the industry was
characterized by self-sufficient,
vertically integrated utilities. Most
utilities built their own generation,
transmission, and distribution facilities
1 16
E:\FR\FM\26OCP1.SGM
U.S.C. 825(b), 825f(a).
26OCP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66209-66211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27669]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-1113; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-53-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. This proposal would
require inspecting each tail rotor blade (blade) for mislocated
aluminum wire mesh in the blade skin. This proposal is prompted by the
discovery that blades were manufactured with aluminum wire mesh
mislocated, leaving portions of the graphite torque tube (spar) region
unprotected from a lightning strike. This condition can exist in both
the upper and lower blade skin airfoils. The actions specified by this
proposed AD are intended to detect mislocated blade wire mesh and to
prevent spar delamination, loss of the blade tip cap during a lightning
strike, blade
[[Page 66210]]
imbalance, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 27, 2011.
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: Nicholas Faust, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7763, 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-2011-1113,
Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-53-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 (65 FR 19477-78).
Examining the Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the proposed AD, any
comments, and other information on the Internet at https://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.
Discussion
This document proposes adopting a new AD for the Sikorsky Model S-
92A helicopters. This proposal would require inspecting each blade for
mislocated aluminum wire mesh in the blade skin. This proposal is
prompted by the discovery that blades were manufactured with aluminum
wire mesh mislocated, leaving portions of the graphite torque tube
(spar) region unprotected from a lightning strike. This condition can
exist on both the upper and lower blade skin airfoils. The actions
specified by this proposed AD are intended to detect mislocated blade
wire mesh to prevent spar delamination and loss of the blade tip cap
during a lightning strike leading to blade imbalance, loss of a blade,
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
We have reviewed Sikorsky Special Service Instructions SSI No. 92-
021A, dated October 21, 2009 (SSI), which specifies inspecting the
blade for mislocated blade wire mesh. Two options are identified in the
SSI. One option is to conduct an eddy current inspection and the other
option is to conduct a visual inspection after sanding to determine if
there is mislocated wire mesh.
This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters of the same type design. Therefore, the proposed AD would
require inspecting each blade to determine if the wire mesh is
mislocated and replacing the blade with an airworthy blade if the wire
mesh is mislocated. The actions would be required to be done by
following the service information described previously.
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 44 helicopters of
U.S. registry. There are 486 suspect blades worldwide, and we assume 29
percent (141) of those blades may be on helicopters of U.S. registry.
We estimate that inspecting a blade for mislocated wire mesh would take
about 4 work hours per blade, assuming all operators opt to do the
blade sanding inspection rather than the eddy current inspection, at an
average labor rate of $85 per work hour. Required parts would cost
about $13,000 for each blade repaired by the manufacturer or $180,000
for each new blade. The total cost of the proposed AD for U.S.
operators would be $3,215,940, assuming 51 blades are found with
mislocated wire mesh, and assuming 36 of those blades are replaced with
blades repaired by the manufacturer and 15 blades are replaced with new
blades.
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);
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 a draft economic evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the AD docket to examine the draft
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
[[Page 66211]]
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.
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-2011-1113; Directorate
Identifier 2009-SW-53-AD.
Applicability: Model S-92A helicopters, tail rotor blade
assembly (blade), part numbers (P/N) 92170-11000-044, -045, and -
046, with a serial number with a prefix of ``A111'' and a number
equal to or less than ``-00585,'' installed, certificated in any
category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To detect mislocated blade wire mesh and to prevent spar
delamination, loss of the blade tip cap during a lightning strike,
blade imbalance, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter, do the following:
(a) Within 60 days, inspect the upper and lower airfoils of each
tail rotor blade to determine if the wire mesh is mislocated.
(1) Inspect by using either an eddy current inspection in
accordance with paragraphs B.(1)(a) through B.(1)(o) or using the
hand-sanding method and visually inspecting in accordance with
paragraphs B.(2)(a) through B.(2)(d) of Sikorsky Special Service
Instructions SSI No. 92-021A, Revision A, dated October 21, 2009,
except you are not required to contact or report nonconforming
blades to the manufacturer. If you sand and visually inspect and
confirm the correct location of the wire mesh, touch-up and repaint
the sanded area.
(2) If there is a blade with a mislocated wire mesh, before
further flight, replace the blade with an airworthy blade.
(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: Nicholas Faust, Aviation Safety Engineer, Boston Aircraft
Certification Office, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803, telephone (781) 238-7763, fax (781) 238-7170, for information
about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
(c) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 6410,
Tail Rotor Blades.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 7, 2011.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-27669 Filed 10-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P