[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7713-7714]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02745]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1002; Project Identifier AD-2021-00332-R;
Amendment 39-21926; AD 2022-03-09]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-76D helicopters. This 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
AD requires replacing affected GPS receivers and prohibits installing
those GPS receivers. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 17, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 17,
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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<PHONE_NUMBER>. It is also available at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2021-1002.

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 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: Nicholas Rediess, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA
01803; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email: [email protected].

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 Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation Model S-76D helicopters with a GPS TopStar 200 LPV receiver
part number (P/N) C17149HA01 installed. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on November 16, 2021 (86 FR 63322). The NPRM was
prompted by reports that certain Thales GPS 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. Therefore, the NPRM
proposed to require replacing each affected GPS receiver and prohibit
installing an affected GPS receiver on any helicopter. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
    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, 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, 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, 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. The FAA subsequently issued AD
2021-19-13, Amendment 39-21731 (86 FR 54801, October 5, 2021), to
address the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. However, the
FAA discovered an error in the U.S. fleet costs. The NPRM inadvertently
stated the costs as $336,820; this final rule corrects those costs,
which are $168,410 for the U.S. fleet. Except for the change to the
U.S. fleet costs and minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as
proposed in the NPRM.

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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 22 helicopters of U.S.
Registry and that operators may incur the following costs in order to
comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour.

    Replacing two GPS receivers takes about 3 work-hours and parts cost
about $7,400, for an estimated cost of $7,655 per helicopter and
$168,410 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

    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

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:

2022-03-09 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-21926; Docket
No. FAA-2021-1002; Project Identifier AD-2021-00332-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 17, 2022.

(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)
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

    For more information about this AD, contact Nicholas Rediess,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA
01803; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; email: [email protected].

(j) 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.
    (i) Sikorsky S-76D Helicopter Service Bulletin SB 76-017, Basic
Issue, dated May 11, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    (5) 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: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on January 20, 2022.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-02745 Filed 2-9-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P