[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 8, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32260-32262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-13433]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0982; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-19-AD;
Amendment 39-16323; AD 2010-12-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. MAKILA 1A and 1A1
Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 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:
The installation of TU250 comparator/selector (CS) boards,
however, has resulted in a few occurrences of erratic engine
behaviour, in the form of unexpected N1 variations and/or
illumination of the ``GOV'' warning light. The conclusions from an
investigation by Turbom[eacute]ca are that these malfunctions are
due to a lapse of quality control in the varnishing process applied
to the boards, and that only boards in a specific serial number
range, as defined under ``Applicability'' and referred to below as
the ``suspect batch'', are affected.
We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of automatic engine control
during flight due to an uncommanded engine roll-back, which could
result in the inability to continue safe flight.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 13, 2010. The Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain
publications listed in this AD as of July 13, 2010.
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: Kevin Dickert, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7117, 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 March 31, 2010 (75
FR 16022). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states that:
The installation of TU250 CS boards, however, has resulted in a
few occurrences of erratic engine behaviour, in the form of
unexpected N1 variations and/or illumination of the ``GOV'' warning
light. The conclusions from an investigation by Turbomeca are that
these malfunctions are due to a lapse of quality control in the
varnishing process applied to the boards, and that only boards in a
specific serial number range, as defined under ``Applicability'' and
referred to below as the ``suspect batch'', are affected.
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 10 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it
will take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with this AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about
$3,500 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the
AD on U.S. operators to be $35,850.
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;
[[Page 32261]]
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 (phone (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:
2010-12-02 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-16323. Docket No. FAA-2009-
0982; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-19-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 13,
2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Makila 1A and 1A1
turboshaft engines with a comparator/selector (CS) board, part
number (P/N) 0 177 99 716 0, and a serial number (S/N) between 241EL
and 1192EL (inclusive) installed. These engines are installed on,
but not limited to, Eurocopter AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, and AS
332 L1 helicopters.
Reason
(d) The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2009-0090,
dated April 28, 2009, states that this AD results from the
following:
(1) The installation of TU250 CS boards, however, has resulted
in a few occurrences of erratic engine behaviour, in the form of
unexpected N1 variations and/or illumination of the ``GOV'' warning
light. The conclusions from an investigation by Turbom[eacute]ca are
that these malfunctions are due to a lapse of quality control in the
varnishing process applied to the boards, and that only boards in a
specific serial number range, as defined under ``Applicability'' and
referred to below as the ``suspect batch'', are affected.
(2) We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of automatic engine
control during flight due to an uncommanded engine roll-back, which
could result in the inability to continue safe flight.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 50 operating hours from the effective date of this
AD, replace any CS board, P/N 0 177 99 716 0, with a S/N from 241EL
to 1192EL (inclusive), that has fewer than 200 hours-since-new
(HSN). Use paragraph 2 of Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin
(MSB) No. 298 73 0809 Version A, dated February 12, 2008, to replace
the boards.
(2) During the next 500-hour inspection, replace any CS board,
P/N 0 177 99 716 0, with a S/N from 241EL to 1192EL (inclusive),
that has 200 HSN or more. Use paragraph 2 of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No.
298 73 0810 Version B, dated April 27, 2009, to replace the boards.
FAA AD Differences
(f) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
Information (MCAI) and/or service information as follows:
(1) This AD requires replacing within 50 operating hours after
the effective date of this AD, all comparator/selector boards, P/N 0
177 99 716 0, with an S/N from 241EL to 1192EL (inclusive) that have
fewer than 200 HSN.
(2) This AD requires replacing at the next 500-hour routine
inspection after the effective date of this AD, all comparator/
selector boards, P/N 0 177 99 716 0, with a S/N from 241EL to 1192EL
(inclusive) that have 200 HSN or more.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCS)
(g) 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
(h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2009-0090, dated
April 28, 2009, for related information.
(i) Contact Kevin Dickert, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7117, fax (781) 238-7199,
for more information about this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use the service information specified in Table 1 of
this AD 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 05 59 74 40 00; fax 33
05 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.
Table 1--Material Incorporated by Reference
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Turbomeca mandatory Service Bulletin
No. Page Version Date
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298 73 0809.........................
Total Pages: 7 ALL.................... A February 12, 2008.
298 73 0810.........................
Total Pages: 7 ALL.................... B April 27, 2009.
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[[Page 32262]]
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 24, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-13433 Filed 6-7-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P