Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters, 63322-63324 [2021-24956]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 218 / Tuesday, November 16, 2021 / Proposed Rules
(4) This AD does not mandate compliance
with the ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD
2021–0114.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information
referenced in EASA AD 2021–0114 specifies
to submit certain information to the
manufacturer, this AD does not include that
requirement.
(1) The Manager, ECO 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 ECO Branch, send it to
the attention of the person identified in
paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. Information may
be emailed to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.
(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.
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(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about EASA AD
2021–0114, contact EASA, KonradAdenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@
easa.europa.eu. You may find this material
on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.
europa.eu. You may view this material at the
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (781) 238–7759.
This material may be found in the AD docket
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–1004.
(2) For more information about this AD,
contact Nicholas Paine, Aviation Safety
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781)
238–7116; email: nicholas.j.paine@faa.gov.
(3) For RRD service information identified
in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc,
Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31,
Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; phone:
+44 (0)1332 242424; fax: +44 (0)1332 249936;
website: https://www.rolls-royce.com/
contact-us.aspx. You may view this material
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (781) 238–7759.
[FR Doc. 2021–24931 Filed 11–15–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
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Jkt 256001
14 CFR Part 39
Examining the AD Docket
[Docket No. FAA–2021–1002; Project
Identifier AD–2021–00332–R]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky
Aircraft Corporation Helicopters
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
Issued on November 9, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
Federal Aviation Administration
76177. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA,
call (817) 222–5110.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
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
Model S–76D helicopters. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports
that certain Thales global positioning
system (GPS) satellite based
augmentation system (SBAS) receivers
provided, under certain conditions,
erroneous outputs on aircraft positions.
This proposed AD would require
replacing affected GPS receivers and
prohibit installing those GPS receivers.
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 [January 3,
2022.
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 your local Sikorsky
Field Representative or Sikorsky’s
Service Engineering Group at Sikorsky
Aircraft Corporation, Mailstop K100,
124 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611;
telephone 1–800–946–4337 (1–800–
Winged–S); email wcs_cust_service_
eng.gr-sik@lmco.com. Operators may
also log on to the Sikorsky 360 website
at https://www.sikorsky360.com. You
may view this service information at the
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX
SUMMARY:
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You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–1002; 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nicholas Rediess, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA,
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: (781) 238–7159; fax: (781)
238–7199; email: nicholas.rediess@
faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send
your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2021–1002; Project Identifier AD–
2021–00332–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 proposal
because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business
Information (CBI) as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
received, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report
summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 218 / Tuesday, November 16, 2021 / Proposed Rules
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
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 Nicholas Rediess,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Boston ACO
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781)
238–7159; fax: (781) 238–7199; email:
nicholas.rediess@faa.gov. 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 European Aviation Safety Agency
(now European Union Aviation Safety
Agency) (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD
2019–0004, dated January 11, 2019, and
corrected on January 17, 2019 (EASA
AD 2019–0004), to correct an unsafe
condition for Thales AVS France SAS
(Thales), formerly Thales Avionics SAS,
GPS/SBAS receivers, Topstar 200 LPV,
part number (P/N) C17149HA01 and
C17149JA02, using SBAS, which are
known to be installed on, but not
limited to, certain Model ATR 42–500
and ATR 72–212A aeroplanes and
Sikorsky Model S–76D helicopters.
EASA advises of reports indicating that
Thales GPS SBAS receivers provided,
under certain conditions, erroneous
outputs on aircraft positions. EASA AD
2019–0004 requires actions to prevent
compromise of the safety margins when
the receiver is used for Localizer
Performance with Vertical guidance
(LPV) and/or RNP–AR (Required
Navigation Performance—Authorization
Required) operations. Following the
issuance of EASA AD 2019–0004, the
FAA issued AD 2020–08–02,
Amendment 39–21108 (85 FR 20586,
April 14, 2020), to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
After the issuance of EASA AD 2019–
0004, EASA issued related EASA AD
2021–0013, dated January 13, 2021
(EASA AD 2021–0013), in response to a
software update that was developed to
ensure correct navigational performance
of certain Thales GPS SBAS receivers
installed on ATR–GIE Avions de
Transport Re´gional, formerly EADS
ATR—Alenia, Aerospatiale Matra
ATR—ALENIA, Aerospatiale—Alenia,
Aerospatiale—Aeritalia, Model ATR 42–
500 and ATR 72–212A aeroplanes.
This proposed AD would require
replacing affected GPS TopStar 200 LPV
receivers installed on Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation Model S–76D helicopters.
The FAA is proposing this AD to
address erroneous aircraft position
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:54 Nov 15, 2021
Jkt 256001
outputs from the GPS SBAS receivers,
which could result in controlled flight
into terrain, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
FAA’s Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after
determining that the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Sikorsky S–76D
Helicopter Service Bulletin SB 76–017,
Basic Issue, dated May 11, 2021 (SB 76–
017). SB 76–017 specifies procedures for
removing, updating, and installing GPS
TopStar 200 LPV receivers. SB 76–017
also provides instructions for sending
the GPS receiver(s) to Thales
Authorized Repair Stations for the
software update.
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 in This
NPRM
This proposed AD would require
replacing each affected GPS receiver
and prohibit installing an affected GPS
receiver on any helicopter.
Differences Between This Proposed AD
and the Service Information
SB 76–017 requires returning the GPS
receiver(s) to Thales Authorized Repair
Stations for the software update, while
this proposed AD would require
replacing the GPS receiver(s) instead.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed
AD would affect 22 helicopters of U.S.
Registry and that operators may incur
the following costs in order to comply
with this proposed AD. Labor costs are
estimated at $85 per work-hour.
Replacing a GPS receiver would take
about 3 work-hours and parts would
cost about $7,400, for an estimated cost
of $7,655 per GPS receiver and $336,820
for the U.S. fleet.
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
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63323
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 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) Would not affect intrastate
aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive:
■
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No.
FAA–2021–1002; Project Identifier AD–
2021–00332–R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by January 3,
2022.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 218 / Tuesday, November 16, 2021 / Proposed Rules
(b) Affected ADs
This AD affects AD 2020–08–02,
Amendment 39–21108 (85 FR 20586, April
14, 2020) (AD 2020–08–02).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation Model S–76D helicopters,
certificated in any category, with Thales
Global Positioning System (GPS) TopStar 200
LPV receiver part number (P/N) C17149HA01
installed.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)
Code: 3457, Global Positioning System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports that
certain Thales GPS satellite based
augmentation system (SBAS) receivers
provided, under certain conditions,
erroneous outputs on aircraft positions. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in controlled flight into terrain and
loss of control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
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(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD,
contact Nicholas Rediess, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: (781) 238–7159; fax: (781) 238–7199;
email: nicholas.rediess@faa.gov.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD, contact your local Sikorsky Field
Jkt 256001
Issued on November 8, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
I. Background and Purpose
The NTSB is an independent
investigatory agency charged with
determining the facts, circumstances,
and causes of transportation accidents
and incidents. The NTSB’s investigation
procedures are contained in part 831,
which is divided into subparts. The
procedures applicable to all modes of
transportation are contained in Subpart
A of 49 CFR part 831. Subparts B–E are
specific to the type of transportation;
Subpart B, for example, focuses on
Aviation Investigations. The agency
notes that the commercial space
industry is a unique mode of
transportation and the investigatory
needs of a commercial space accident
and incident—such as the reporting of
commercial space accidents and
incidents, and the preservation of
wreckage, evidence, and records—are
distinct enough to warrant its own
subpart. Thus, the NTSB proposes the
addition of Subpart F for Commercial
Space Investigations.
The agency’s statutory authority to
investigate commercial space launch
accidents derives from 49 U.S.C.
1131(a)(1)(F), which provides in
pertinent part that the NTSB shall
investigate and establish the facts,
circumstances, and probable cause of
any other accident related to the
transportation of any other individuals
or property when the Board decides the
accident is catastrophic, the accident
involves problems of a recurring
character, or investigating the accident
would carry out the NTSB’s statutory
mandate.
The NTSB has exercised this
authority and both led and supported
commercial space launch and reentry
investigations for more than 20 years.
For example, the NTSB investigated the
February 9, 1993, procedural anomaly
associated with the launch of an Orbital
Sciences Corporation Pegasus
expendable launch vehicle. The NTSB
investigated the incident and issued
safety recommendations to the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT),
the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), and Orbital
Sciences Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2021–24956 Filed 11–15–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION
SAFETY BOARD
[Docket No.: NTSB–2021–0008]
((h) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Boston ACO Branch,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR
39.19, send your request to your principal
inspector or local Flight Standards District
Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the certification
office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (i)(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.
16:54 Nov 15, 2021
Docket No. NTSB–2021–0008. All
comments received will be posted
without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided.
Docket: For access to the docket, go to
https://www.regulations.gov and search
Docket No. NTSB–2021–0008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kathleen Silbaugh, General Counsel,
(202) 314–6080, rulemaking@ntsb.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
49 CFR Part 831
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 130 hours time-in-service after
the effective date of this AD, replace each
affected GPS receiver identified in paragraph
(c) of this AD with GPS receiver P/N
C17149RA01 in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs A.,
C., and D., of Sikorsky S–76D Helicopter
Service Bulletin SB 76–017, Basic Issue,
dated May 11, 2021.
(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do
not install a GPS receiver identified in
paragraph (c) of this AD on any helicopter.
(3) Accomplishing paragraph (g)(1) of this
AD terminates the requirements of AD 2020–
08–02.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Representative or Sikorsky’s Service
Engineering Group at Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation, Mailstop K100, 124 Quarry
Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1–800–
946–4337 (1–800–Winged–S); email wcs_
cust_service_eng.gr-sik@lmco.com. Operators
may also log on to the Sikorsky 360 website
at https://www.sikorsky360.com. You may
view this referenced service information at
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,
Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.
RIN 3147–AA19
Commercial Space Investigations
National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
For transparency of the
agency’s commercial space safety
investigative authority, the NTSB is
proposing adding Subpart F for
Commercial Space Investigations to
supplement its Investigation
Procedures. By codifying its
investigative role in commercial space
transportation, the NTSB anticipates
that Subpart F will enhance
transportation safety by enabling the
agency to carry out its statutory mission
of conducting safety investigations,
identifying necessary corrective actions,
and preventing future space
transportation accidents and incidents.
DATES: Submit written comments
regarding this NPRM by January 18,
2022.
SUMMARY:
You may send comments,
identified by Docket Number (No.)
NTSB–2021–0008, by any of the
following methods:
• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov.
• Email: rulemaking@ntsb.gov.
• Fax: 202–314–6090.
• Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: NTSB,
Office of General Counsel, 490 L’Enfant
Plaza East SW, Washington, DC 20594.
Instructions: All submissions in
response to this NPRM must include
ADDRESSES:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 16, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63322-63324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24956]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-1002; Project Identifier AD-2021-00332-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 Model S-76D helicopters. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports that certain Thales global
positioning system (GPS) satellite based augmentation system (SBAS)
receivers provided, under certain conditions, erroneous outputs on
aircraft positions. This proposed AD would require replacing affected
GPS receivers and prohibit installing those GPS receivers. 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 [January 3,
2022.
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 your local
Sikorsky Field Representative or Sikorsky's Service Engineering Group
at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Mailstop K100, 124 Quarry Road,
Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-946-4337 (1-800-Winged-S); email
[email protected]. Operators may also log on to the
Sikorsky 360 website at https://www.sikorsky360.com. You may view this
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX
76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (817) 222-5110.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1002; 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Rediess, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: (781) 238-7159; 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 ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-1002; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00332-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 proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI
[[Page 63323]]
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
Nicholas Rediess, Aviation Safety Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA,
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7159; fax:
(781) 238-7199; email: [email protected]. Any commentary that
the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be
placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation
Safety Agency) (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0004, dated
January 11, 2019, and corrected on January 17, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-
0004), to correct an unsafe condition for Thales AVS France SAS
(Thales), formerly Thales Avionics SAS, GPS/SBAS receivers, Topstar 200
LPV, part number (P/N) C17149HA01 and C17149JA02, using SBAS, which are
known to be installed on, but not limited to, certain Model ATR 42-500
and ATR 72-212A aeroplanes and Sikorsky Model S-76D helicopters. EASA
advises of reports indicating that Thales GPS SBAS receivers provided,
under certain conditions, erroneous outputs on aircraft positions. EASA
AD 2019-0004 requires actions to prevent compromise of the safety
margins when the receiver is used for Localizer Performance with
Vertical guidance (LPV) and/or RNP-AR (Required Navigation
Performance--Authorization Required) operations. Following the issuance
of EASA AD 2019-0004, the FAA issued AD 2020-08-02, Amendment 39-21108
(85 FR 20586, April 14, 2020), to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
After the issuance of EASA AD 2019-0004, EASA issued related EASA
AD 2021-0013, dated January 13, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0013), in response
to a software update that was developed to ensure correct navigational
performance of certain Thales GPS SBAS receivers installed on ATR-GIE
Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional, formerly EADS ATR--Alenia,
Aerospatiale Matra ATR--ALENIA, Aerospatiale--Alenia, Aerospatiale--
Aeritalia, Model ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-212A aeroplanes.
This proposed AD would require replacing affected GPS TopStar 200
LPV receivers installed on Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-76D
helicopters. The FAA is proposing this AD to address erroneous aircraft
position outputs from the GPS SBAS receivers, which could result in
controlled flight into terrain, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Sikorsky S-76D Helicopter Service Bulletin SB 76-
017, Basic Issue, dated May 11, 2021 (SB 76-017). SB 76-017 specifies
procedures for removing, updating, and installing GPS TopStar 200 LPV
receivers. SB 76-017 also provides instructions for sending the GPS
receiver(s) to Thales Authorized Repair Stations for the software
update.
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 in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require replacing each affected GPS receiver
and prohibit installing an affected GPS receiver on any helicopter.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
SB 76-017 requires returning the GPS receiver(s) to Thales
Authorized Repair Stations for the software update, while this proposed
AD would require replacing the GPS receiver(s) instead.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 22 helicopters
of U.S. Registry and that operators may incur the following costs in
order to comply with this proposed AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85
per work-hour.
Replacing a GPS receiver would take about 3 work-hours and parts
would cost about $7,400, for an estimated cost of $7,655 per GPS
receiver and $336,820 for the U.S. fleet.
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 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2021-1002; Project
Identifier AD-2021-00332-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by January 3, 2022.
[[Page 63324]]
(b) Affected ADs
This AD affects AD 2020-08-02, Amendment 39-21108 (85 FR 20586,
April 14, 2020) (AD 2020-08-02).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-76D
helicopters, certificated in any category, with Thales Global
Positioning System (GPS) TopStar 200 LPV receiver part number (P/N)
C17149HA01 installed.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 3457, Global
Positioning System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports that certain Thales GPS
satellite based augmentation system (SBAS) receivers provided, under
certain conditions, erroneous outputs on aircraft positions. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in controlled
flight into terrain and loss of control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 130 hours time-in-service after the effective date of
this AD, replace each affected GPS receiver identified in paragraph
(c) of this AD with GPS receiver P/N C17149RA01 in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs A., C., and D., of
Sikorsky S-76D Helicopter Service Bulletin SB 76-017, Basic Issue,
dated May 11, 2021.
(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a GPS
receiver identified in paragraph (c) of this AD on any helicopter.
(3) Accomplishing paragraph (g)(1) of this AD terminates the
requirements of AD 2020-08-02.
((h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance
with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or
local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the certification office,
send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph
(i)(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.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Nicholas
Rediess, Aviation Safety Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7159; fax:
(781) 238-7199; email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact your
local Sikorsky Field Representative or Sikorsky's Service
Engineering Group at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Mailstop K100,
124 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-946-4337 (1-
800-Winged-S); email [email protected]. Operators
may also log on to the Sikorsky 360 website at https://www.sikorsky360.com. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest
Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
(817) 222-5110.
Issued on November 8, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-24956 Filed 11-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
