AD 2021-19-17 Prompted By An Incident Of A Side Facing Utility Seat Detaching From Wall Attachments

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters.

This AD was prompted by an incident of a side facing utility seat detaching from wall attachment points. This AD requires modifying certain side facing utility seats and observer seats, and prohibits installing those seats unless the modification has been accomplished. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective November 22, 2021.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters with certain Martin-Baker side facing utility or observer seats installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 4, 2021 (86 FR 12550). The NPRM was prompted by an incident of a side facing utility seat detaching from wall attachment points during dynamic testing. The root cause has been identified as a change in the finishing process of the main back tube. Due to design similarity, certain observer seats are also subject to this unsafe condition. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing the main back tube assembly in affected side facing utility and observer seats. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit installing those seats unless the main back tube assembly has been replaced. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMI: www.regulations.gov