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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0791; Project Identifier AD-2020-00676-R;
Amendment 39-21438; AD 2021-04-16]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for
certain Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A
helicopters. This 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 AD requires
a one-time inspection of the landing gear for components with non-
conforming threads and removal of any nonconforming threaded hinge pin
and MLG and NLG actuator pin. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective April 14, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 14,
2021.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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://www.sikorsky360.com/portal/public/index.html#!/welcome.
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. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0791.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket 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 final rule, any
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket
Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dorie Resnik, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781-238-7693; fax: 781-238-7199; email: dorie.resnik@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Sikorsky Model
S-92A helicopters, with serial numbers (S/Ns) 920006 through 920334,
inclusive. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 8,
2020 (85 FR 55388). The NPRM 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
MLG and NLG actuator pins. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a
one-time inspection of the landing gear and 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. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
Discussion of Final AD
Comments
The FAA received comments from three commenters. The following
presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to
each comment.
Support for the NPRM
An individual commenter supported the NPRM.
Comment Not Relevant to the NPRM
An individual commenter submitted information that was not relevant
to the NPRM.
Request for the FAA To Change the Cost of Compliance of the AD
Request: Sikorsky requested the FAA revise the On-Condition Costs
table. Sikorsky stated the parts cost for P/N 92250-12281-101 should be
revised to $4,535.
FAA Response: The FAA agrees. The FAA obtained the cost information
provided in the NPRM from Sikorsky's website at www.sikorsky360.com.
However, as Sikorsky has indicated that the price of the part has
increased, the cost information in this final rule is updated
accordingly.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this final rule with the changes described previously.
These changes are consistent with the intent of the proposals in the
NPRM. The FAA also determined that these changes will not increase the
scope of this AD.
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.
Differences Between This AD and the Service Information
This AD requires 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 AD requires the one-time inspection 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 and MLG and NLG actuator pins
occur no later than January 21, 2021.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 85 helicopters of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost
on U.S. operators
|
| Visually inspect landing gear
(right MLG assembly, left MLG assembly, and NLG kit) |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour
= $85 (per landing gear) |
$0 |
$255 (three landing gear
installed on each helicopter) |
$21,675 |
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
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
| Replace threaded hinge pin, P/N
92250-12281-101 |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$85 |
$4,535
|
$4,620
|
| Replace MLG/NLG actuator pin,
P/N 92250-12287-101 |
1 work-hour x $85 = $85 |
557
|
642
|
| Replace MLG/NLG actuator pin,
P/N 92250-12287-103 |
1 work-hour x $85 = $85 |
609
|
694
|
According to the manufacturer, some
of the costs of this 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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
(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 Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
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