[Federal Register: May 27, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 102)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 30613-30615]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27my05-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-21273; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-15-AD;
Amendment 39-14103; AD 2005-11-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 1A Turboshaft
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 1A turboshaft engines. This AD requires initial
and repetitive testing of the Free Turbine Overspeed Protection System.
This AD results from an investigation into the Digital Electronic
Control Unit (DECU) that revealed a malfunction of the Free Turbine
Overspeed Protection System. This malfunction can exist despite the
DECU passing all functional tests
[[Page 30614]]
specified in the Engine Maintenance Manual. We are issuing this AD to
prevent uncontained engine failure if a free turbine overspeed occurs.
DATES: Effective June 13, 2005. The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed
in the regulations as of June 13, 2005.
We must receive any comments on this AD by July 26, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-001.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74
40 00, fax 33 05 59 74 45 15, for the service information identified in
this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299;
telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us
that an unsafe condition might exist on Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 1A
turboshaft engines. The DGAC advises that an investigation into the
DECU revealed a malfunction of the Free Turbine Overspeed Protection
System. This malfunction can exist despite the DECU passing all
functional tests specified in the Engine Maintenance Manual. A
malfunction of this overspeed system could lead to uncontained engine
failure if a free turbine overspeed occurs.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Turbomeca
Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin No. A319 77 0804, dated March 24,
2005, that describes procedures for testing the DECU Free Turbine
Overspeed Protection System. The DGAC classified this service bulletin
as mandatory and issued AD F-2005-063, dated April 27, 2005, and AD UF-
2005-063 R1, dated May 4, 2005, in order to ensure the airworthiness of
these Arrius 1A engines in France.
Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement
This Turbomeca Arrius 1A engine is manufactured in France and is
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Under this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. We have examined the findings of the
DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other Turbomeca Arrius 1A turboshaft engines of the same
type design. This AD requires initial testing of the Free Turbine
Overspeed Protection System within 25 flight hours of the effective
date of the AD, and repetitive testing at each functional test of the
DECU Free Turbine Overspeed Protection System. We are issuing this AD
to prevent uncontained engine failure in the event of a free turbine
overspeed. You must use the service information described previously to
perform the actions required by this AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment; however, we invite you to send us any written relevant data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2005-21273;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-15-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify it.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the DMS Web
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit
http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments
received, and any final disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on
the plaza level of the Department of Transportation Nassif Building at
the street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
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.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that 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
[[Page 30615]]
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 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 2005-NE-15-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal
Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (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:
2005-11-01 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-14103. Docket No. FAA-2005-
21273; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-15-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 13,
2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 1A turboshaft
engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to,
Eurocopter AS355N Twinstar helicopters.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from an investigation into the Digital
Electronic Control Unit (DECU) that revealed a malfunction of the
Free Turbine Overspeed Protection System can exist despite the DECU
passing all functional tests specified in the Engine Maintenance
Manual. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained engine failure
in the event of a free turbine overspeed.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the
actions have already been done.
Initial Testing
(f) Within 25 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
test the DECU Free Turbine Overspeed Protection System, using
paragraph 2.B. of the Instructions to be Incorporated of Turbomeca
Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin No. A319 77 0804, dated March 24,
2005.
(g) If the DECU Free Turbine Overspeed Protection System fails
the test specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, replace the DECU
before further flight.
Repetitive Testing
(h) Repeat the testing specified in paragraph (f) of this AD at
each functional test of the DECU Free Turbine Overspeed Protection
System. Information on the functional tests of the DECU Free Turbine
Overspeed Protection System can be found in the Engine Maintenance
Manual, Section 77-30-01. Recommended intervals for the functional
test of the Turbine Overspeed Protection System can be found in the
Engine Maintenance Manual, Section 05-10-02.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(i) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(j) DGAC airworthiness directive F-2005-063, dated April 27,
2005, and UF-2005, 063 R1, dated May 4, 2005, also address the
subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) You must use Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin No.
A319 77 0804, dated March 24, 2005, to perform the tests required by
this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Turbomeca S.A.,
40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40 00, fax 33 05 59 74
45 15, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies
at the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-
401, Washington, DC 20590-001, on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
; or at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 17, 2005.
Robert E. Guyotte,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-10295 Filed 5-26-05; 8:45 am]
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