AD NUMBER: 2019-13-05

PRODUCT: Certain Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY:  This AD was prompted by fatigue analysis indicating stress concentrations, as well as the discovery of a helicopter with a crack in the station (STA) 362 frame and skin.

This AD requires inspecting the main transmission forward and aft frame assemblies and adjacent skins for a crack and loose fasteners, and establishing life limits for certain frame assemblies.

DATES: This AD is effective August 29, 2019.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 50 helicopters of U.S. Registry. Operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD:

The FAA estimates a minimal cost to establish and revise the life limit of the frame assembly. The FAA estimates it takes 1 work-hour to inspect STA 328 and 362 frames. No parts are needed for a total cost of $4,250 for the U.S. fleet for each inspection per inspection cycle.

If a fastener is replaced, the FAA estimates the cost to be minimal. If a frame is replaced, it takes 5,000 work-hours and required parts cost $296,000 for a total cost of $721,000 per helicopter.

FMI: AD