[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 186 (Monday, September 27, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59060-59062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23581]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-21624; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-17-AD;
Amendment 39-16439; AD 2010-20-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbom[eacute]ca S.A. ARRIEL 2B
Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive
(AD) for Turbom[eacute]ca S.A. ARRIEL 2B turboshaft engines. That AD
currently requires initial and repetitive inspections, cleaning,
lubrication, and checks for proper operation of the hydro-mechanical
unit (HMU) acceleration controller axle except on engines that
incorporate modification TU 132. That AD also provides an optional
terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD requires the
same actions, but expands the applicability to include all engines that
do not incorporate modification TU 149. This AD results from reports of
engines with modification TU 132 incorporated experiencing stuck
controller axles in the metering valve body. We are issuing this AD to
prevent loss of control of engine fuel flow in manual control mode or
mixed control mode, which can lead to engine overspeed, and in-flight
engine shutdown resulting in a forced autorotation landing or accident.
DATES: Effective October 12, 2010. The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed
in the AD as of October 12, 2010.
We must receive any comments on this AD by October 27, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building
[[Page 59061]]
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.
Contact Turbom[eacute]ca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59
74 40 00; fax 33 05 59 74 45 15, for the service information identified
in this AD.
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: On April 9, 2007, the FAA issued AD 2005-13-
25R1, Amendment 39-15028 (72 FR 19110, April 17, 2007). That AD
requires initial and repetitive inspections, cleaning, lubrication, and
checks for proper operation of the HMU acceleration controller axle on
engines that incorporate modification TU 62A, unless the engine
incorporates modification TU 132. That AD was the result of several
reports of the HMU acceleration controller axle sticking. The stuck
acceleration controller axle resulted in engine overspeed and commanded
and uncommanded in-flight engine shutdowns. That condition, if not
corrected, could result in loss of control of engine fuel flow in
manual control mode or mixed control mode, which can lead to engine
overspeed, and in-flight engine shutdown resulting in a forced
autorotation landing or accident.
Actions Since AD 2005-13-25R1 Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2005-13-25R1, the European Aviation Safety
Authority (EASA), which is the airworthiness agent for the Member
States of the European Union, has informed us that the manufacturer,
Turbom[eacute]ca S.A., has reported additional occurrences of stuck
controller axles in the metering valve body. Some of these occurrences
occurred on engines that incorporated modification TU 132.
Turbom[eacute]ca S.A. introduced modification TU 149 to eliminate the
cause of the unsafe condition on the ARRIEL 2B turboshaft engines. This
AD requires inspecting and lubricating the P3 cover and HMU
acceleration control axle on HMUs that are not modified to TU 149. It
also approves incorporating modification TU 149 to eliminate the cause
of the unsafe condition and the repetitive inspections required by this
AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of control of engine fuel
flow in the manual or mixed control modes, which can lead to engine
overspeed, and in-flight engine shutdown resulting in a forced
autorotation landing or accident.
Relevant Service Information
Turbom[eacute]ca has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin A292 73
2814, Version D, dated October 16, 2009, that describes procedures for
inspecting, lubricating, and checking for proper operation of the HMU
acceleration controller axle. EASA classified this service bulletin as
mandatory and issued AD 2009-0246, dated November 10, 2009, in order to
assure the airworthiness of these ARRIEL 2B turboshaft engines in the
European Union.
Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement
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 that agreement,
EASA has kept us informed of the situation described above. We have
examined EASA's findings, 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 This AD
The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other Turbom[eacute]ca S.A. ARRIEL 2B turboshaft engines of
the same type design. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of control
of engine fuel flow in the manual control mode or mixed control mode,
which can lead to engine overspeed, and in-flight engine shutdown
resulting in a forced autorotation landing or accident. This AD
requires initial and repetitive inspections, cleaning, lubrication, and
checks for proper operation of the HMU acceleration controller axle.
You must use the service information described previously to perform
the actions required by this AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment; however, we invite you to send us any written relevant data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2005-21624;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-17-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify it.
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 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).
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.
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
[[Page 59062]]
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 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 that 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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary at the
address listed under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal
Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (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 removing Amendment 39-15028 (72 FR
19110, April 17, 2007), and by adding a new airworthiness directive,
Amendment 39-16439, to read as follows:
2010-20-05 Turbom[eacute]ca S.A.: Amendment 39-16439. Docket No.
FAA-2005-21624; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-17-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October
12, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-13-25R1, Amendment 39-15028.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Turbom[eacute]ca S.A. ARRIEL 2B
turboshaft engines that do not have Modification TU 149
incorporated. These engines are installed on, but not limited to,
Eurocopter AS350B3 helicopters.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of engines with modification TU
132 incorporated experiencing stuck acceleration control axles in
the hydromechanical unit (HMU) metering valve body. We are issuing
this AD to prevent loss of control of engine fuel flow in manual
control mode or mixed control mode, which can lead to engine
overspeed, and in-flight engine shutdown resulting in a forced
autorotation landing or accident.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the
actions have already been done.
HMUs Without Modification TU 149
(f) Within 20 operating hours of the effective date of this AD,
check the fuel metering system and perform maintenance procedures in
accordance with Paragraph 2 of Turbom[eacute]ca MSB A292 73 2814,
Version D, dated October 16, 2009.
(g) Repeat the maintenance procedures of paragraph (f) of this
AD within every 210 operating hours.
Optional Terminating Action
(h) Modifying the HMU to Modification TU 149 terminates the
repetitive inspection requirements specified in paragraph (g) of
this AD. You can find guidance on modifying the HMU to Modification
TU 149 in Turbom[eacute]ca Service Bulletin 292 73 2149, Version C,
dated August 10, 2009.
Previous Credit
(i) Maintenance performed prior to the effective date of this AD
using Turbom[eacute]ca MSB A292 73 2814, Version C, dated December
19, 2006, or an earlier version of this MSB, satisfies the
maintenance requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(j) 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
(k) EASA airworthiness directive 2009-00246, dated November 10,
2009, also addresses the subject of this AD.
(l) 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
(m) You must use Turbom[eacute]ca Mandatory Service Bulletin
(MSB) A292 73 2814, Version D, dated October 16, 2009, to perform
the actions required by this AD. The Director of the Federal
Register approved the incorporation by reference of MSB A292 73
2814, Version D, dated October 16, 2009, in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Turbom[eacute]ca S.A., 40220
Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40 00, fax 33 05 59 74 45 15,
for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the
FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 15, 2010.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-23581 Filed 9-24-10; 8:45 am]
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