[Federal Register: February 20, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 33)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7796-7797]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20fe09-10]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0681; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-13-AD;
Amendment 39-15805; AD 2009-03-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Models Arriel 1E2, 1S,
and 1S1 Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This 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:
Turbomeca S.A. has informed EASA of a case of a ``red disk''
plug that has been actually installed on an engine which has been
subsequently released for service operation. This engine experienced
an in-service high pressure leak event (at the fuel pump outlet) due
to cracking of this ``red disk'' plug. This leak could lead to in-
flight flame-out and/or possibly a fire.
We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaks, which could result in a
fire and damage to the helicopter.
DATES: This AD becomes effective March 27, 2009. The Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain
publications listed in this AD as of March 27, 2009.
ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue,
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
james.lawrence@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 25, 2008 (73 FR
35981). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
A plug adapted for engine bench testing (called ``red disk''
plug) and not approved for service operation, could inadvertently be
installed on the engine Fuel Control Unit 3-way union, instead of
the sealed plug approved for service operation.
Turbomeca S.A. has informed EASA of a case of a ``red disk''
plug that has been actually installed on an engine which has been
subsequently released for service operation. This engine experienced
an in-service high pressure leak event (at the fuel pump outlet) due
to cracking of this ``red disk'' plug. This leak could lead to in-
flight flame-out and/or possibly a fire.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will
affect about 179 products installed on helicopters of U.S. registry. We
also estimate that it will take about 0.5 work-hour per product to
comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour.
Required parts will cost about $14 per product. Based on these figures,
we
[[Page 7797]]
estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $9,666. Our cost
estimate is exclusive of possible warranty coverage.
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 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 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 AD:
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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is provided in
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 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 AD:
2009-03-04 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-15805. Docket No. FAA-2008-
0681; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-13-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March
27, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Models Arriel 1E2, 1S, and
1S1 turboshaft engines. These engines are installed on, but not
limited to, Eurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 series and Sikorsky S-
76A series helicopters.
Reason
(d) Turbomeca S.A. has informed EASA of a case of a ``red disk''
plug that has been actually installed on an engine which has been
subsequently released for service operation. This engine experienced
an in-service high pressure leak event (at the fuel pump outlet) due
to cracking of this ``red disk'' plug. This leak could lead to in-
flight flame-out and/or possibly a fire.
We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaks, which could result
in a fire and damage to the helicopter.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 100 operating hours from effective date of this AD,
perform a one time inspection of the correct reference of the plug
installed on the FCU 3-way union (9 932 30 706 0) and verify its
torque to be set between 1.3 and 1.5 daN.m in accordance with
Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin 292 73 0817.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19.
Related Information
(g) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2008-0014, dated
January 17, 2008, for related information.
(h) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
james.lawrence@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-
7199, for more information about this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin 292 73
0817, Version C, dated March 13, 2008 to do the actions required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 (0)5 59 74 40 00;
telex 570 042; fax 33 (0)5 59 74 45 15.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 21, 2009.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-3026 Filed 2-19-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P