[Federal Register: May 27, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 102)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 30651-30653]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27my05-21]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-NE-12-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Arrius Models 2B, 2B1,
and 2F Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to revise an existing airworthiness directive
(AD) for Turbomeca S.A. Arrius Models 2B, 2B1, and 2F turboshaft
engines. That AD currently requires replacing the right injector half
manifold, left injector half manifold, and privilege injector pipe.
This proposed AD would require the same actions, but relaxes the
compliance time for the repetitive replacements on Arrius 2F engines.
This proposed AD results from Turbomeca relaxing the repetitive
replacement interval for Arrius 2F engine fuel nozzles based on review
of returned fuel nozzles to Turbomeca. We are proposing this AD to
prevent engine flameout during rapid deceleration, or the inability to
maintain the 2.5 minutes one engine inoperative (OEI) rating, and to
prevent air path cracks due to blockage of the fuel injection
manifolds.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by July 26,
2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD:
By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket
No. 2000-NE-12-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
By fax: (781) 238-7055.
By e-mail: 9-ane-adcomment@faa.gov.
You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone: (33) 05 59 64 40
00; fax: (33) 05 59 64 60 80.
You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New
England
[[Page 30652]]
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA.
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:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2000-NE-12-AD'' in the
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a
substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and
place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received
by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those
comments.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the
location.
Discussion
On April 16, 2001, we issued AD 2001-08-14, Amendment 39-12218 (66
FR 20910, April 26, 2001). That AD requires replacing the right
injector half manifold, left injector half manifold, and privilege
injector pipe. That AD results from reports from the Direction Generale
de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for
France, of partially or totally blocked fuel injection manifolds, which
were found during inspections at a repair workshop.
Actions Since AD 2001-08-14 Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2001-08-14, we became aware that Turbomeca S.A.
has relaxed the repetitive replacement interval for the right injector
half manifold, left injector half manifold, and privilege injector
pipe, on Arrius 2F engines, from within 200 hours time-in-service (TIS)
since last replacement, to within 400 hours TIS since last replacement.
Relevant Service Information
Turbomeca has issued six revisions to alert service bulletin (ASB)
No. A319 73 2012, for Arrius 2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines and has
issued seven revisions to ASB No. A319 73 4001 for Arrius 2F turboshaft
engines. These ASBs require the replacement of the right injector half
manifold, left injector half manifold, and privilege injector pipes,
based on operating hours and power check performance. When replacing
the manifolds for the first time, the ASBs also require a borescope
inspection of the flame tube and the high pressure turbine (HPT) area.
The DGAC classified the original ASBs as mandatory and issued AD 1999-
217(A) and AD 1999-233(A) in order to assure the airworthiness of these
Turbomeca turboshaft engines in France.
Bilateral Agreement Information
These Turbomeca Arrius Models 2B, 2B1, and 2F turboshaft engines
are manufactured in France and are type-certificated for operation in
the United States under the provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral
airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness
agreement, the DGAC has kept us informed of the situation described
above. We have examined the DGAC's findings, 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 the Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD, which would:
Relax the repetitive replacement compliance time for
Arrius 2F engines in AD 2001-08-14, from 200 hours TIS to 400 hours
TIS; and
As in AD 2001-08-14, replace the right injector half
manifolds, left injector half manifolds, and privilege injector pipes
with 200 or more hours TIS on the effective date of the proposed AD
within 30 days after the effective date of the proposed AD; and
As in AD 2001-08-14, thereafter, for Arrius Models 2B and
2B1 turboshaft engines, replace injector manifolds within 200 hours TIS
since last replacement.
The proposed AD would require you to use the service information
described previously to perform these actions.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 266 Turbomeca S.A. Arrius Models 2B, 2B1, and 2F
turboshaft engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. We
estimate that 124 of these engines are installed on helicopters of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about two work hours per
engine to perform the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate
is $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost about $14,320 per
engine. The manufacturer has advised the DGAC that it may provide the
parts at no cost to the operator, thereby substantially reducing the
cost of this proposed rule. Based on these figures, we estimate the
total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators, to replace all of the
affected parts one time, to be $1,791,800.
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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
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. Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities
[[Page 30653]]
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposal 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. 2000-NE-12-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14
CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-12218 (66 FR
20910, April 26, 2001) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, to
read as follows:
Turbomeca: Docket No. 2000-NE-12-AD. Revises AD 2001-08-14,
Amendment 39-12218.
Applicability
This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to Arrius Models
2B, 2B1, and 2F engines. These engines are installed on but not
limited to Eurocopter France Model EC120B and Eurocopter Deutschland
EC135 T1 rotorcraft.
Note 1: This AD applies to each engine identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For engines that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance
Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, unless already
done.
To prevent engine flameout and the inability to maintain the 2.5
minutes one engine inoperative (OEI) rating due to blockage of the
fuel injection manifolds, do the following:
Initial Replacement
(a) If not already done in accordance with Turbomeca Alert
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A319 73 2012, Revision 2, dated May 25,
1999, or Revision 3, dated July 21, 2000, or ASB No. A319 73 4001,
Revision 3, dated May 25, 1999 or Revision 4, dated October 20,
2000, replace injector manifolds and borescope-inspect the flame
tube and the high pressure turbine area within 30 days after the
effective date of this AD, or prior to exceeding 200 hours time-in-
service (TIS), whichever is later. Do these in accordance with
Instructions 2.A. through 2.C. of Turbomeca ASB No. A319 73 2012,
Revision 6, dated August 14, 2004 for Arrius 2B and 2B1 turboshaft
engines, and ASB No. A319 73 4001, Revision 7, dated August 14,
2004, for Arrius 2F turboshaft engines, except that replacement may
be done at any appropriately rated repair shop.
Repetitive Replacements
(b) Thereafter, replace injector manifolds, in accordance with
Instructions 2.A. through 2.C. of Turbomeca ASB No. A319 73 2012,
Revision 6, dated August 14, 2004 for Arrius 2B and 2B1 turboshaft
engines, and ASB No. A319 73 4001, Revision 7, dated August 14,
2004, for Arrius 2F turboshaft engines, except that replacement may
be done at any appropriately rated repair shop, as follows:
(1) For Arrius 2B and 2B1 engines, replace within 200 hours TIS
since last injector manifolds replacement.
(2) For Arrius 2F engines, replace within 400 hours TIS since
last injector manifolds replacement.
(3) For all engines, replace injector manifolds before further
flight after performing the applicable flight manual or overhaul
manual power check if that check shows a negative turbine outlet
temperature (TOT) margin or negative T4 margin.
Definition
(c) For the purposes of this AD, time-in-service (TIS) is
defined as the number of engine operating hours on the manifolds
since the manifolds were new or since the manifolds were
refurbished.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office.
Operators shall submit their request through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive,
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.
Special Flight Permits
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Sec. Sec. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 23, 2005.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-10634 Filed 5-26-05; 8:45 am]
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