Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters, 55388-55391 [2020-19709]
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55388
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 85, No. 174
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
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.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 959
[Doc. No. AMS–SC–20–0046; SC20–959–2
CR]
Onions Grown in South Texas;
Continuance Referendum
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Referendum order.
AGENCY:
This document directs that a
referendum be conducted among
eligible producers of onions grown in
South Texas to determine whether they
favor continuance of the marketing
order regulating the handling of onions
produced in the production area.
DATES: The referendum will be
conducted from September 21 through
October 13, 2020. Only current
producers of South Texas onions within
the production area that produced
onions during the period August 1,
2018, through July 31, 2019, are eligible
to vote in this referendum.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the marketing
order may be obtained from the
Southeast Marketing Field Office,
Marketing Order and Agreement
Division, Specialty Crops Program,
AMS, USDA, 1124 First Street South,
Winter Haven, FL 33880; Telephone:
(863) 324–3375; or from the Marketing
Order and Agreement Division,
Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA,
1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP
0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237;
Telephone: (202) 720–2491; or on the
internet: https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Abigail Campos, Marketing Specialist,
or Christian D. Nissen, Regional
Director, Southeast Marketing Field
Office, Marketing Order and Agreement
Division, Specialty Crops Program,
AMS, USDA, 1124 First Street South,
Winter Haven, FL 33880; Telephone:
(863) 324–3375, Fax: (863) 291–8614, or
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SUMMARY:
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Email: Abigail.Campos@usda.gov or
Christian.Nissen@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
to Marketing Agreement and Order No.
959, as amended (7 CFR part 959),
hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Order,’’
and the applicable provisions of the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act
of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674),
hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Act,’’ it is
hereby directed that a referendum be
conducted to ascertain whether
continuance of the Order is favored by
producers. The referendum shall be
conducted from September 21 through
October 13, 2020, among onion
producers in the production area. Only
current Texas onion producers who
were also engaged in the production of
onions grown in South Texas during the
period of August 1, 2018, through July
31, 2019, may participate in the
continuance referendum.
USDA has determined that
continuance referenda are an effective
means for determining whether
producers favor the continuation of
marketing order programs. The Order
will continue in effect if two-thirds or
more of the producers voting in the
referendum, or producers of more than
two-thirds of the volume of onions
grown in South Texas represented in the
referendum, favor continuance. In
evaluating the merits of continuance
versus termination, USDA will not
exclusively consider the results of the
continuance referendum. USDA will
also consider all other relevant
information regarding the operation of
the Order and relative benefits and
disadvantages to producers, handlers,
and consumers to determine whether
continued operation of the Order would
tend to effectuate the declared policy of
the Act.
In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
chapter 35), the ballots used in the
referendum have been approved by the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) and have been assigned OMB
No. 0581–0178 Vegetable and Specialty
Crops. It has been estimated it will take
an average of 20 minutes for each of the
approximately 100 onion producers to
cast a ballot. Participation is voluntary.
Ballots postmarked after October 13,
2020, will not be included in the vote
tabulation.
Abigail Campos and Christian D.
Nissen of the Southeast Marketing Field
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Office, Specialty Crops Program, AMS,
USDA, are hereby designated as the
referendum agents of the Secretary of
Agriculture to conduct this referendum.
The procedure applicable to the
referendum shall be the ‘‘Procedure for
the Conduct of Referenda in Connection
With Marketing Orders for Fruits,
Vegetables, and Nuts Pursuant to the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act
of 1937, as Amended’’ (7 CFR part
900.400 et seq.).
Ballots will be mailed to all producers
of record and may also be obtained from
the referendum agents or from their
appointees.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 959
Marketing agreements, Onions,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–17578 Filed 9–4–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2020–0791; Project
Identifier AD–2020–00676–R]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky
Aircraft Corporation Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
(Sikorsky) Model S–92A helicopters.
This proposed AD was prompted by the
manufacturer discovering nonconforming threads, resulting in a life
limit reduction on multiple landing gear
components including threaded hinge
pins and main landing gear (MLG) and
nose landing gear (NLG) actuator pins.
This proposed AD would require a onetime inspection of the landing gear for
components with non-conforming
threads and removal of any
SUMMARY:
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nonconforming threaded hinge pin and
MLG and NLG actuator pin. 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 October 23,
2020.
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
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: 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 Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation, Commercial Systems and
Services, 124 Quarry Road, Trumbull,
CT, 06611, United States; phone: (203)
416–4000; email: product_safety.gr-sik@
lmco.com. Operators may also log on to
the Sikorsky 360 website at website:
https://customerportal.sikorsky.com.
You may view the related 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 https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2020–
0791; 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.
Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dorie Resnik, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston ACO Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: (781) 238–7693; fax: (781) 238–
7199; email: dorie.resnik@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send
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your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include
‘‘Docket No. FAA–2020–0791; Project
Identifier AD–2020–00676–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 this
NPRM 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 https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. The
FAA will also post a report
summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this proposal.
Confidential Business Information
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 Dorie Resnik,
Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO, FAA,
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA
01803. 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 proposes to adopt a new AD
for Sikorsky Model S–92A helicopters,
with serial numbers (S/Ns) 920006
through 920334, inclusive. The FAA
learned of a quality escape involving the
manufacture of landing gear
components, including the threaded
hinge pin and the MLG and NLG
actuator pins, that were not made to
specification and have non-conforming
threads that reduce the fatigue life of the
component. Failure of the threaded
hinge pin or the actuator pins on the
MLG or NLG may result in collapse of
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55389
the landing gear and reduced ability of
the flight crew to land the helicopter.
This proposed AD would require the
removal from service of certain serialnumbered threaded hinge pins part
number (P/N) 92250–12281–101 and
certain serial-numbered MLG and NLG
actuator pins P/N 92250–12287–101 and
92250–12287–103 identified in this
proposed AD. This condition, if not
addressed, could result in failure of
components on the MLG and NLG,
collapse of the landing gear and damage
to the helicopter, and reduced ability to
control the helicopter during landing.
FAA’s Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM
because the agency 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.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation Alert Service Bulletin 92–
32–008, Basic Issue, dated January 21,
2020 (‘‘the ASB’’). The ASB describes
procedures for a one-time inspection
and replacement of non-conforming
components on the MLG and NLG. 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.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require a
one-time inspection of the landing gear
and removal from service of threaded
hinge pins and MLG and NLG actuator
pins with non-conforming threads.
Differences Between This Proposed AD
and the Service Information
This proposed AD would require
replacement of only affected hinge pins
and MLG and NLG actuator pins. The
ASB requires replacement of additional
parts, such as the MLG and NLG
crossbolt and the MLG and NLG upper
nut. The FAA has determined that the
MLG and NLG crossbolt and the MLG
and NLG upper nut fail in a safe and
contained manner and therefore are not
subject to this AD.
In addition, this proposed AD would
require this one-time inspection to
occur within 300 hours time in service
after the effective date of this AD and
any affected hinge pins and MLG and
NLG actuator pins be removed from
service before further flight. The ASB
requires that the inspection and
replacement of the affected hinge pins
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 174 / Tuesday, September 8, 2020 / Proposed Rules
and MLG and NLG actuator pins occur
no later than January 21, 2021.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, as
proposed, would affect 85 helicopters of
U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
ESTIMATED COSTS
Action
Labor cost
Visually inspect landing gear (right MLG assembly,
left MLG assembly, and NLG kit).
1 work-hour × $85 per
hour = $85 (per landing
gear).
The FAA estimates the following
costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the
Parts cost
$0
results of the proposed inspection. The
FAA has no way of determining the
Cost on U.S.
operators
Cost per product
$255 (three landing gear
installed on each helicopter).
$21,675
number of helicopters that might need
these replacements:
ON-CONDITION COSTS
Labor cost
Replace threaded hinge pin, P/N 92250–12281–101 ..
Replace MLG/NLG actuator pin, P/N 92250–12287–
101.
Replace MLG/NLG actuator pin, P/N 92250–12287–
103.
1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ...............................
1 work-hour × $85 = $85 ..............................................
$2,816
557
$2,901
642
1 work-hour × $85 = $85 ..............................................
609
694
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According to the manufacturer, some
of the costs of this proposed AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby
reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. The FAA does not control
warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, The FAA has
included all costs in its cost estimate.
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
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 has determined that this
proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order
13132. This proposed AD would not
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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 this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation
in Alaska, 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.
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
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
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Parts cost
Cost per
product
Action
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
■
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No.
FAA–2020–0791; Project Identifier AD–
2020–00676–R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by
October 23, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S–92A
helicopters, certificated in any category, with
serial numbers (S/Ns) 920006 through
920334 inclusive.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)
Code 3220, Nose/Tail Landing Gear; 3210,
Main Landing Gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the
manufacturer determining that because of
non-conforming threads, due to a quality
escape, the life limit of the threaded hinge
pin and main landing gear (MLG) and nose
landing gear (NLG) actuator pins is reduced.
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure
of components on the MLG and NLG. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in damage to the helicopter and
reduced ability to control the helicopter
during landing.
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(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Required Actions
Within 300 hours time in service after the
effective date of this AD, visually inspect the
components of the right MLG assembly, left
MLG assembly, and NLG kit for threaded
hinge pins, part number (P/N) 92250–12281–
101, and actuator pins, P/N 92240–12287–
101 and 92240–12287–103, with serial
numbers (S/Ns) identified in Table 1 or 2
(threaded hinge pins) or in Table 1 (actuator
pins), in Section 3, the Accomplishment
Instructions, in the Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 92–
32–008, Basic Issue, dated January 21, 2020
(‘‘the ASB’’).
Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: See
Figures 1 and 2 in Section 3, the
Accomplishment Instructions, in the ASB for
guidance on performing the visual
inspection.
(1) If there is any threaded hinge pin, P/
N 92250–12281–101, with an S/N listed in
Table 1 or 2 in the ASB, before further flight,
remove the threaded hinge pin from service.
(2) If there is any MLG or NLG actuator
pin, P/N 92250–12287–101 or P/N 92250–
12287–103, with an S/N listed in Table 1 in
the ASB, before further flight, remove the
actuator pin from service.
(h) Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, do not
install any threaded hinge pin, P/N 92250–
12281–101, or actuator pin, P/N 92240–
12287–101 or 92240–12287–103, with an S/
N listed in Table 1 or 2 in Section 3, the
Accomplishment Instructions, in the ASB, on
any helicopter.
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(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)(1) 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) Dorie Resnik, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston ACO Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1200 District
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781)
238–7693; fax: (781) 238–7199; email:
dorie.resnik@faa.gov.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation, Commercial Systems and
Services, 124 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT
06611; phone: (203) 416–4000; email:
product_safety.gr-sik@lmco.com. Operators
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:00 Sep 04, 2020
Jkt 250001
may also log on to the Sikorsky 360 website
at website: https://
customerportal.sikorsky.com. You may view
the related 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 on August 31, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–19709 Filed 9–4–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2020–0789; Project
Identifier AD–2020–00849–T]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to
supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2019–22–10, which applies to all The
Boeing Company Model 737–600, –700,
–700C, –800, –900, and –900ER series
airplanes. AD 2019–22–10 requires
repetitive inspections for cracking of the
left- and right-hand side outboard
chords of frame fittings and failsafe
straps at a certain station around eight
fasteners, and repair if any cracking is
found. Since the FAA issued AD 2019–
22–10, it was determined that the initial
inspection threshold and repetitive
inspection interval are inadequate to
address the cracking in a timely manner.
For certain airplanes, this proposed AD
would reduce the compliance time for
the initial inspection, and for all
airplanes this proposed AD would
reduce the compliance time for the
repetitive inspections. 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 October 23,
2020.
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
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
SUMMARY:
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55391
• 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 Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster
Blvd., MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA
90740–5600; telephone 562–797–1717;
internet https://
www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view
this service information at the FAA,
Transport Standards Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. You
may view this service information at the
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195.
It is also available on the internet at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2020–0789.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2020–
0789; 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.
Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg
Rutar, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206–231–3529; email:
Greg.Rutar@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to participate in
this rulemaking by submitting written
comments, data, or views about this
proposal. The most helpful comments
reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. To ensure the docket
does not contain duplicate comments,
commenters should submit only one
copy of the comments. Send your
comments to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 8, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55388-55391]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-19709]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0791; Project Identifier AD-2020-00676-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A
helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by the manufacturer
discovering non-conforming threads, resulting in a life limit reduction
on multiple landing gear components including threaded hinge pins and
main landing gear (MLG) and nose landing gear (NLG) actuator pins. This
proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the landing gear for
components with non-conforming threads and removal of any
[[Page 55389]]
nonconforming threaded hinge pin and MLG and NLG actuator pin. 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 October 23,
2020.
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 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: 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 Sikorsky
Aircraft Corporation, Commercial Systems and Services, 124 Quarry Road,
Trumbull, CT, 06611, United States; phone: (203) 416-4000; email:
[email protected]. Operators may also log on to the
Sikorsky 360 website at website: https://customerportal.sikorsky.com.
You may view the related 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0791; 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. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dorie Resnik, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7693; fax:
(781) 238-7199; 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 the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0791;
Project Identifier AD-2020-00676-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 this NPRM 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
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive
verbal contact received about this proposal.
Confidential Business Information
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 Dorie Resnik, Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO,
FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. 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 proposes to adopt a new AD for Sikorsky Model S-92A
helicopters, with serial numbers (S/Ns) 920006 through 920334,
inclusive. The FAA learned of a quality escape involving the
manufacture of landing gear components, including the threaded hinge
pin and the MLG and NLG actuator pins, that were not made to
specification and have non-conforming threads that reduce the fatigue
life of the component. Failure of the threaded hinge pin or the
actuator pins on the MLG or NLG may result in collapse of the landing
gear and reduced ability of the flight crew to land the helicopter.
This proposed AD would require the removal from service of certain
serial-numbered threaded hinge pins part number (P/N) 92250-12281-101
and certain serial-numbered MLG and NLG actuator pins P/N 92250-12287-
101 and 92250-12287-103 identified in this proposed AD. This condition,
if not addressed, could result in failure of components on the MLG and
NLG, collapse of the landing gear and damage to the helicopter, and
reduced ability to control the helicopter during landing.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM because the agency 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.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service
Bulletin 92-32-008, Basic Issue, dated January 21, 2020 (``the ASB'').
The ASB describes procedures for a one-time inspection and replacement
of non-conforming components on the MLG and NLG. 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.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the landing
gear and removal from service of threaded hinge pins and MLG and NLG
actuator pins with non-conforming threads.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
This proposed AD would require replacement of only affected hinge
pins and MLG and NLG actuator pins. The ASB requires replacement of
additional parts, such as the MLG and NLG crossbolt and the MLG and NLG
upper nut. The FAA has determined that the MLG and NLG crossbolt and
the MLG and NLG upper nut fail in a safe and contained manner and
therefore are not subject to this AD.
In addition, this proposed AD would require this one-time
inspection to occur within 300 hours time in service after the
effective date of this AD and any affected hinge pins and MLG and NLG
actuator pins be removed from service before further flight. The ASB
requires that the inspection and replacement of the affected hinge pins
[[Page 55390]]
and MLG and NLG actuator pins occur no later than January 21, 2021.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, as proposed, would affect 85
helicopters of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visually inspect landing gear 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $255 (three landing $21,675
(right MLG assembly, left MLG hour = $85 (per gear installed on
assembly, and NLG kit). landing gear). each helicopter).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
helicopters that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace threaded hinge pin, P/N 92250-12281- 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 $2,816 $2,901
101.
Replace MLG/NLG actuator pin, P/N 92250-12287- 1 work-hour x $85 = $85......... 557 642
101.
Replace MLG/NLG actuator pin, P/N 92250-12287- 1 work-hour x $85 = $85......... 609 694
103.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for
affected individuals. As a result, The FAA has included all costs in
its cost estimate.
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 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 has 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 this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2020-0791; Project
Identifier AD-2020-00676-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by October 23, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky)
Model S-92A helicopters, certificated in any category, with serial
numbers (S/Ns) 920006 through 920334 inclusive.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3220, Nose/Tail
Landing Gear; 3210, Main Landing Gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the manufacturer determining that
because of non-conforming threads, due to a quality escape, the life
limit of the threaded hinge pin and main landing gear (MLG) and nose
landing gear (NLG) actuator pins is reduced. The FAA is issuing this
AD to prevent failure of components on the MLG and NLG. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in damage to the
helicopter and reduced ability to control the helicopter during
landing.
[[Page 55391]]
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Within 300 hours time in service after the effective date of
this AD, visually inspect the components of the right MLG assembly,
left MLG assembly, and NLG kit for threaded hinge pins, part number
(P/N) 92250-12281-101, and actuator pins, P/N 92240-12287-101 and
92240-12287-103, with serial numbers (S/Ns) identified in Table 1 or
2 (threaded hinge pins) or in Table 1 (actuator pins), in Section 3,
the Accomplishment Instructions, in the Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 92-32-008, Basic Issue,
dated January 21, 2020 (``the ASB'').
Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: See Figures 1 and 2 in
Section 3, the Accomplishment Instructions, in the ASB for guidance
on performing the visual inspection.
(1) If there is any threaded hinge pin, P/N 92250-12281-101,
with an S/N listed in Table 1 or 2 in the ASB, before further
flight, remove the threaded hinge pin from service.
(2) If there is any MLG or NLG actuator pin, P/N 92250-12287-101
or P/N 92250-12287-103, with an S/N listed in Table 1 in the ASB,
before further flight, remove the actuator pin from service.
(h) Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any threaded
hinge pin, P/N 92250-12281-101, or actuator pin, P/N 92240-12287-101
or 92240-12287-103, with an S/N listed in Table 1 or 2 in Section 3,
the Accomplishment Instructions, in the ASB, on any helicopter.
(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)(1) 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) Dorie Resnik, Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO Branch,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7693; fax: (781) 238-7199;
email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Commercial Systems and Services, 124
Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; phone: (203) 416-4000; email:
[email protected]. Operators may also log on to the
Sikorsky 360 website at website: https://customerportal.sikorsky.com. You may view the related 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 on August 31, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-19709 Filed 9-4-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
