[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 31, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16022-16023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7160]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 61 / Wednesday, March 31, 2010 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 16022]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0982; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-19-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. MAKILA 1A and 1A1
Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed 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 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 proposing 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: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 30, 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: Docket Management Facility, 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.
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.
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 proposed 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: 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:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-0982;
Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-19-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on 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 proposed 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).
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2009-0090, dated April 28, 2009 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
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.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Turbomeca S.A. has issued Mandatory Service Bulletins No. 298 73
0809, Version A, dated February 12, 2008; and No. 298 73 0810, Version
B, dated April 27, 2009. 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 Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of France,
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 proposing this AD because we evaluated
[[Page 16023]]
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.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 10 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with this
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required
parts would cost about $3,500 per product. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of the proposed 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 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 this 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
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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA 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 adding the following new AD:
Turbomeca S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2009-0982; Directorate Identifier
2009-NE-19-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by April 30, 2010.
Affected Airworthiness Directives (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 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 an 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.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) 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
(h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2009-0090, dated
April 28, 2009, and Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletins No.
298 73 0809, Version A, dated February 12, 2008; and No. 298 73
0810, Version B, dated April 27, 2009, for related information.
Contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40
00; fax 33 05 59 74 45 15, for a copy of this service 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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 19, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-7160 Filed 3-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P