Sikorsky S-92: From Design to Operations

[rotormatic]

Proposed AD

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

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


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

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

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
Regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: [phone].
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
[phone], e-mail address [email protected], or at http://
Home.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Coffey, Flight Test Engineer,
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803, telephone [phone], fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any written data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to the address listed
under the caption ADDRESSES. Include the docket number ``FAA-2009-1088,
Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-76-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
Regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Using the
search function of our docket Web site, you can find and read the
comments to any of our dockets, including the name of the individual
who sent or signed the comment. You may review the DOT's complete
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11,
2000.

Examining the Docket

You may examine the docket that contains the proposed AD, any
comments, and other information in person at the Docket Operations
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Operations office (telephone [phone]) is
located in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West Building at the
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

Discussion

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

[[Page 65497]]

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

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. Additionally, this proposed
AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the
relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

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

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

Applicability: Model S-92A helicopters, certificated in any
category.
Compliance: Required within 90 days, unless accomplished
previously.
To correct a mistake in the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to
prevent human external cargo (HEC) operations, which could result in
injury or loss of life, do the following:
(a) Revise the RFM SA S92A-RFM-003, Part 1, Section 1, Operating
Limitations, Types of Operation, by removing the statement ``RESCUE
HOIST: Category `A' only External load operations with Class `D'
external loads.'' Replace that statement with ``HOIST: Class D
external loads PROHIBITED.'' Also, throughout the entire RFM, remove
the term ``RESCUE HOIST,'' and replace it with the term ``HOIST.''
These revisions may be made by inserting a copy of this AD into the
RFM, by making the changes in pen and ink, or by inserting a copy of
the Sikorsky RFM revision containing these requirements into the
RFM.
(b) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Contact the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
ATTN: John Coffey, Flight Test Engineer, 12 New England Executive
Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone [phone], fax (781) 238-
7170, for information about previously approved alternative methods
of compliance.

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

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