[Federal Register: January 17, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 10)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 1947-1949]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17ja07-13]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
RIN 2120-AA64
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22430; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-34-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arrius 2 F Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) for Turbomeca Arrius 2 F turboshaft engines. That AD
currently requires removing from service certain serial number (SN)
fuel control units (FCUs) or replacing the constant delta pressure
diaphragm in those FCUs. This proposed AD would require replacing all
FCUs not incorporating modification Tf 55 with FCUs that incorporate
modification Tf 55. This proposed AD results from the European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) and Turbomeca expanding the applicability to the
full population of FCUs installed on Arrius 2 F turboshaft engines.
FCUs not incorporating modification Tf 55 are susceptible to having an
improperly assembled constant delta pressure (delta P) diaphragm. We
are proposing this AD to prevent an uncommanded engine in-flight
shutdown on a single-engine helicopter, resulting in a forced
autorotation landing or an accident.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by March 19,
2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD.
[[Page 1948]]
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 20590-0001.
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, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone +33 05 59 74 40
00, fax +33 05 59 74 45 15, for the service information identified in
this proposed 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;
telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-22430;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-34-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of 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 with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed 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 proposal, any comments
received and any final disposition in person at the DMS Docket Office
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.
Discussion
On September 9, 2005, the FAA issued AD 2005-19-10, Amendment 39-
14275 (70 FR 54622, September 16, 2005). That AD requires removing from
service certain SN FCUs or replacing the constant delta P diaphragm in
those FCUs. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community,
notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on Turbomeca Arrius 2 F
turboshaft engines. EASA advises that the Arrius 2 F engine fleet is
susceptible to having an improperly assembled constant delta pressure
(delta P) diaphragm (pre-modification Tf 55) in the FCU.
Actions Since AD 2005-19-10 Was Issued
Since AD 2005-19-10 was issued, EASA issued AD No. 2006-0237, dated
August 9, 2006, which expands the applicability to the full population
of FCUs installed on Arrius 2 F turboshaft engines that have not
incorporated modification Tf 55. Also, Turbomeca issued Mandatory
Service Bulletin No. 319 73 4055, Update No. 1, dated March 17, 2006,
to introduce modification Tf 55 to all Arrius 2 F FCUs. Modification Tf
55 upgrades the FCU with a constant delta P diaphragm that cannot be
improperly assembled.
Bilateral Agreement Information
This engine model 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, EASA kept us informed of the situation
described above. We have examined the findings of EASA, 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 have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products
of this same type design. We are proposing this AD, which would require
replacing FCUs that do not incorporate modification Tf 55, with FCUs
that do.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 46 Arrius 2 F
turboshaft engines installed on helicopters of U.S. registry. We also
estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours per engine to perform
the proposed FCU replacement and that the average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $25,480 per engine. Based on
these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S.
operators to be $1,183,120.
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
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3. Would 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. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
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 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 39-14275 (70 FR
54622, September 16, 2005) and by adding a new airworthiness directive,
to read as follows:
Turbomeca: Docket No. FAA-2005-22430; Directorate Identifier 2005-
NE-34-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by March 19,
2007.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-19-10, Amendment 39-14275.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Arrius 2 F turboshaft engines
with fuel control units (FCUs) not incorporating modification Tf 55.
These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter
EC120B helicopters.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from the European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) and Turbomeca expanding the applicability to the full
population of FCUs installed on Arrius 2 F turboshaft engines. FCUs
not incorporating modification Tf 55 are susceptible to having an
improperly assembled constant delta pressure (delta P) diaphragm. We
are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded engine in-flight
shutdown on a single-engine helicopter, resulting in a forced
autorotation landing or an accident.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed as soon as practicable after the effective date of this
AD but no later than July 31, 2007, unless the actions have already
been done.
(f) Replace all FCUs not incorporating modification Tf 55 with
FCUs that incorporate modification Tf 55.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(g) 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
(h) Contact Christopher Spinney, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-
7175, fax (781) 238-7199; e-mail: christopher.spinney@faa.gov for
more information about this AD.
(i) EASA AD No. 2006-0237, dated August 9, 2006, addresses the
subject of this AD.
(j) Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin, Update No. 1, dated
March 17, 2006, pertains to the subject of this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 10, 2007.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-494 Filed 1-16-07; 8:45 am]
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