2023-09-07: Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2022-02-01, Amendment 39-21898 (87 FR 2316, January 14, 2022); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-09-07 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-22430; Docket No. FAA-2023-0018; Project Identifier AD-2022-00883-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 29, 2023. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2022-02-01, Amendment 39-21898 (87 FR 2316, January 14, 2022) (AD 2022-02-01). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-92A helicopters, certificated in any category, with a main rotor stationary swashplate assembly (swashplate assembly) part number (P/N) 92104-15011-042 or P/N 92104-15011-043 installed. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6230, Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by the discovery of a crack on the swashplate assembly inner ring. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect cracks that could result in fretting wear on the shoulder that supports the clamp-up of the uniball outer race. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the swashplate assembly and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Definition For the purposes of this AD, a "suspected crack" is a nick, scratch, or crack in the paint or primer that includes observable metallic base material. (h) Required Actions (1) For helicopters with swashplate assemblies identified in paragraph (c) of this AD that have accumulated 1,600 or more total hours time-in-service on the swashplate assembly, within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) from February 18, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-02-01), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS, visually inspect the swashplate assembly for a crack, nick, dent, and scratch, by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Section 3, paragraph B. (except paragraphs B.(2)(a) through (c)) of Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB 92-62-009, Basic Issue, dated February 6, 2019. If there is a crack, nick, dent, or scratch that exceeds the allowable limits, before further flight, remove the swashplate assembly from service. (2) For helicopters with swashplate assemblies identified in paragraph (c) of this AD, within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS, visually inspect the swashplate assembly for surface discontinuities and suspected cracks by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Section 3., paragraphs B.(1) through (3), of Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB 92-62-010, Basic Issue, dated January 26, 2022 (ASB 92-62-010). If there is any surface discontinuity or suspected crack, before further flight, remove the trunnion and accomplish an eddy current inspection (ECI) or fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) for a crack by accomplishing the actions in paragraph (h)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD, as applicable. (i) Accomplish an ECI by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Section 3, paragraphs C.(1) through (6), but not paragraph C.(6)(c)(1)., of ASB 92-62-010. (ii) Accomplish an FPI by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Section 3, paragraphs D.(1) through (5), except paragraph D.(4), of ASB 92-62-010. (3) For helicopters with a swashplate assembly identified in paragraph (c) of this AD certified for operation at a maximum gross weight of 26,500 lbs. that have accumulated 8,600 or more total hours TIS on the swashplate assembly, or certified for operation at a maximum gross weight of 27,700 lbs. that have accumulated 3,300 or more total hours TIS on the swashplate assembly, within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS, with the trunnion installed, accomplish an ECI or FPI of the uniball lower bore lip, uniball upper bore, and each trunnion mount bolt hole for a crack by accomplishing the actions in paragraph (h)(3)(i) or (ii) of this AD, as applicable. (i) Accomplish an ECI by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Section 3, paragraphs C.(2) through (6), but not paragraph C.(6)(c)1., of ASB 92-62-010. (ii) Accomplish an FPI by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Section 3, paragraphs D.(2), (3), and (5) of ASB 92-62-010. (4) If there is a crack as a result of any of the inspections required by paragraph (h)(2) or (3) of this AD, before further flight, remove the swashplate assembly from service. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, East Certification 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 (j) 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 For more information about this AD, contact Jared Hyman, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, East Certification Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: (781) 238-7305; email: 9-AVS-AIR-BACO-COS@faa.gov. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on June 29, 2023. (i) Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB 92-62-010, Basic Issue, dated January 26, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on February 18, 2022 (87 FR 2316, January 14, 2022). (i) Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB 92-62-009, Basic Issue, dated February 6, 2019. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For service information identified in this AD, contact a 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; website: sikorsky360.com. (6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (7) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email: fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on May 8, 2023. Michael Linegang, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-11136 Filed 5-24-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P