[Federal Register: December 19, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 243)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 75896-75898]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19de06-20]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 75896]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26570; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-39-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Makila 1A and 1A1
Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
The back-up mode can be activated by an electrostatic discharge
or by a malfunction of the collective pitch signal. The two engines
fitted on the same helicopter can therefore be frozen in this back-
up position at 85% N1.
Freezing both engines in the back-up mode can lead to an inability
to continue safe flight and forced landing. The proposed AD would
require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 18,
2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
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.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park 01803; telephone (781) 238-
7175; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language
principles.
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-
26570; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-39-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
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 we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
airworthiness authority for the European Union, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2006-0070, dated April 13, 2006, (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
The control system of the engines covered by this Airworthiness
Directive includes an electrical back-up mode at 85% N1 (gas
generator speed) activated on the detection of certain occurrences
affecting engine control. The activation of the back-up mode is
irreversible and freezes the engine at 85% N1.
An analysis of reported occurrences in service showed that the
back-up mode can be activated by an electrostatic discharge or by a
malfunction of the collective pitch signal. The two engines fitted
on the same helicopter can therefore be frozen in this back-up
position at 85% N1.
The present Airworthiness Directive therefore imposes the
application of modification TU241 on the LPG board of the Makila 1A
and 1A1 ECU, which reduces the aforementioned risk by changing the
conditions in which the engines switch to and are maintained in the
85% NG back-up mode.
Freezing both engines in the back-up mode can lead to an inability
to continue safe flight and forced landing.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Turbomeca has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 298 73 0241,
dated April 5, 2006. The actions described in this service information
are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
[[Page 75897]]
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority
and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
described in a separate paragraph of the proposed AD. These
requirements, if ultimately adopted, will take precedence over the
actions copied from the MCAI.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about five products of U.S. registry. We also estimate
that it would take about 1.0 work-hours per product to comply with this
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required
parts would cost about $3,500 per product. Where the service
information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty,
we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. As we do
not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may
incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $17,900,
or $3,580 per product.
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 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 this 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. 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA 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 adding the following new AD:
Turbomeca S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2006-26570; Directorate Identifier
2006-NE-39-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by January 18, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Makila 1A and 1A1 turboshaft
engines. These engines are used on, but not limited to Eurocopter AS
332 Super Puma helicopters.
Reason
(d) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2006-0070,
dated March 30, 2006, states:
The control system of the engines covered by this Airworthiness
Directive includes an electrical back-up mode at 85% N1 (gas
generator speed) activated on the detection of certain occurrences
affecting engine control. The activation of the back-up mode is
irreversible and freezes the engine at 85% N1.
An analysis of reported occurrences in service showed that the
back-up mode can be activated by an electrostatic discharge or by a
malfunction of the collective pitch signal. The two engines fitted
on the same helicopter can therefore be frozen in this back-up
position at 85% N1.
The present Airworthiness Directive therefore imposes the
application of modification TU241 on the LPG board of the Makila 1A
and 1A1 ECU, which reduces the aforementioned risk by changing the
conditions in which the engines switch to and are maintained in the
85% NG back-up mode.
Freezing both engines in the back-up mode can lead to an
inability to continue safe flight and forced landing.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, before January 31, 2007, apply the
modification TU 241 by replacing the LPG board of the ECU in
accordance with the mandatory Turbomeca Service Bulletin No. 298 73
0241, dated April 5, 2006.
FAA AD Differences
(f) None.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Engine Certification Office, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection
[[Page 75898]]
requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
Related Information
(h) Contact Christopher Spinney, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park 01803; telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781)
238-7199 for more information about this AD.
(i) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2006-0070, dated
March 30, 2006, and Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 298 73
0241, dated April 5, 2006, for related information.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 13, 2006.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6-21586 Filed 12-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P