[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 112 (Friday, June 11, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33162-33163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-13928]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0512; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-21-AD;
Amendment 39-16332; AD 2010-13-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Microturbo Saphir 20 Model 095
Auxiliary Power Units (APUs)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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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 the European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
The turbine wheel, part number (P/N) 095-01-015-03, of the
SAPHIR 20 Model 095 APU is a life-limited part. Microturbo had
determined through ``fleet leader'' testing and inspection that the
published life limit of this turbine wheel should be reduced to
9,000 cycles. Use of the turbine wheel beyond 9,000 cycles could
lead to the release of high energy debris that could jeopardize
aircraft safety.
For the reasons described above, EASA AD 2008-0084 required the
implementation of the new life limit on the affected parts and the
replacement parts that had exceeded the new life limit.
Microturbo has now determined that the life limit of the turbine
wheel should be further reduced to 4,225 cycles. Use of the turbine
wheel beyond 4,225 cycles could lead to the release of high energy
debris that could jeopardize aircraft safety.
We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncontained burst of the APU
turbine that could liberate high-energy fragments resulting in injury
and damage to the aircraft.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 16, 2010.
We must receive comments on this AD by July 26, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC
20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
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 the same as
the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schwetz, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-
mail: [email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7761; fax (781) 238-
7170.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Community, has issued AD 2010-0079, dated April 26, 2010
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
The turbine wheel, part number (P/N) 095-01-015-03, of the
SAPHIR 20 Model 095 APU is a life-limited part. Microturbo had
determined through ``fleet leader'' testing and inspection that the
published life limit of this turbine wheel should be reduced to
9,000 cycles. Use of the turbine wheel beyond 9,000 cycles could
lead to the release of high energy debris that could jeopardize
aircraft safety.
For the reasons described above, EASA AD 2008-0084 required the
implementation of the new life limit on the affected parts and the
replacement parts that had exceeded the new life limit.
Microturbo has now determined that the life limit of the turbine
wheel should be further reduced to 4,225 cycles. Use of the turbine
wheel beyond 4,225 cycles could lead to the release of high energy
debris that could jeopardize aircraft safety.
For the reasons described above, this AD, which supersedes EASA
AD 2008-0084, requires the implementation of the new life limit on
the affected parts and the replacement of parts that had exceeded
this new limit. This AD also extends the scope to include the P/N
095-01-015-20 turbine wheel, which is physically identical to the P/
N 095-01-015-03 turbine wheel but is manufactured using a revised
process (approved by EASA).
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Microturbo has issued Service Bulletin 095-49-17, dated March 16,
2010. The actions described in this service information are intended to
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of EASA
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with France, they have notified us of the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced
above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information
provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
This AD requires removal of turbine wheels P/N 095-01-015-03 or P/N
095-01-015-20, before exceeding the new reduced life limit of 4,225
cycles-in-service, and replacement with a new or serviceable part.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since no domestic operators use this product, notice and
opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary.
Therefore, we are adopting this regulation immediately.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and
[[Page 33163]]
we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public comment. We
invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about
this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES
section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0512; Directorate Identifier
2010-NE-21-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically
invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and
energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all comments received by
the closing date and may amend this AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the
Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets,
including, if provided, 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).
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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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:
2010-13-01 Microturbo: Amendment 39-16332.; Docket No. FAA-2010-
0512; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-21-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 16,
2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Microturbo Saphir 20 model 095 auxiliary
power units (APUs). These APUs are installed on, but not limited to,
Eurocopter EC225 and AS332 helicopters.
Reason
(d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. EASA AD 2010-0079 states:
The turbine wheel, part number (P/N) 095-01-015-03, of the
SAPHIR 20 Model 095 APU is a life-limited part. Microturbo had
determined through ``fleet leader'' testing and inspection that the
published life limit of this turbine wheel should be reduced to
9,000 cycles. Use of the turbine wheel beyond 9,000 cycles could
lead to the release of high energy debris that could jeopardize
aircraft safety.
For the reasons described above, EASA AD 2008-0084 required the
implementation of the new life limit on the affected parts and the
replacement parts that had exceeded the new life limit.
Microturbo has now determined that the life limit of the turbine
wheel should be further reduced to 4,225 cycles. Use of the turbine
wheel beyond 4,225 cycles could lead to the release of high energy
debris that could jeopardize aircraft safety.
We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncontained burst of the APU
turbine that could liberate high-energy fragments resulting in
injury and damage to the aircraft.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Remove turbine wheels P/N 095-01-015-03 or P/N 095-01-015-
20, before exceeding the new reduced life limit of 4,225 cycles-in-
service, and replace it with a new or serviceable part.
(2) Thereafter, remove turbine wheels P/N 095-01-015-03 or P/N
095-01-015-20, before exceeding the new reduced life limit of 4,225
cycles-in-service, and replace it with a new or serviceable part.
FAA AD Differences
(f) The initial compliance time for the EASA AD is within one
month after the effective date of the AD or upon accumulating 4,225
cycles-in-service, whichever occurs later. The initial compliance
time for this AD is before exceeding the new reduced life limit of
4,225 cycles-in-service.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(g) The Manager, Boston Aircraft 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 EASA AD 2010-0079, dated April 26, 2010, and
Microturbo Service Bulletin No. 095-49-17, dated March 16, 2010, for
related information. Contact Microturbo, Technical Publications
Department, 8 Chemin du pont de Rupe, BP 62089, 31019 Toulouse
Cedex, France; telephone 33 0 5 61 37 55 00; fax 33 0 5 61 70 74 45
for a copy of this service bulletin.
(i) Contact Michael Schwetz, Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7761; fax (781) 238-
7170, for more information about this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 4, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-13928 Filed 6-10-10; 8:45 am]
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