[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 83 (Friday, April 30, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22693-22695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9963]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0411; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-19-AD;
Amendment 39-16278; AD 2010-09-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Makila 2A Turboshaft Engines
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 an aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
Some digital engine control units (DECUs) used to control MAKILA
2A and MAKILA 2A1 engines have an ambient pressure (P0) sensor with
a measurement accuracy that may be outside the range required for
satisfactory functioning of the engines throughout the entire
operating envelope. In certain extreme flight conditions, the lack
of P0 measurement accuracy could potentially cause an engine
flameout if the engine is operating on a replacement fuel.
The issue is limited to a batch of 24 DECUs, of which 23 are
known to be still in service. Since 01 January 2010, any such DECU
returned to an approved repair centre has had its P0 sensor checked
and replaced as necessary.
We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded engine in-flight
shutdown which could result in a forced autorotation landing or
accident.
DATES: This AD becomes effective May 17, 2010.
We must receive comments on this AD by June 1, 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: Kevin Dickert, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 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
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD
2010-0068-E (corrected), dated April 13, 2010 (referred to after this
as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
Some DECUs used to control MAKILA 2A and MAKILA 2A1 engines have
an ambient pressure (P0) sensor with a measurement accuracy that may
be outside the range
[[Page 22694]]
required for satisfactory functioning of the engines throughout the
entire operating envelope. In certain extreme flight conditions, the
lack of P0 measurement accuracy could potentially cause an engine
flameout if the engine is operating on a replacement fuel.
The issue is limited to a batch of 24 DECUs, of which 23 are
known to be still in service. Since 01 January 2010, any such DECU
returned to an approved repair centre has had its P0 sensor checked
and replaced as necessary.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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 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 replacement of certain S/N DECUs within 75 flight
hours after the effective date of this AD.
Differences Between the AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have required different actions in this AD from those in the
MCAI and service information in order to follow FAA policies. These
differences are described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These
requirements take precedence over the actions in the MCAI.
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 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-2010-0411; Directorate
Identifier 2010-NE-19-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:
2010-09-13 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-16278.; Docket No. FAA-2010-0411;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-19-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 17,
2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Makila 2A turboshaft engines
with any of the following serial number (S/N) digital engine control
units (DECUs) installed, if the DECU has not been returned to an
approved repair center since January 1, 2010.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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S/N 93 S/N 165 S/N 193 S/N 234
S/N 115 S/N 167 S/N 201 S/N 242
S/N 138 S/N 171 S/N 215 S/N 296
S/N 149 S/N 174 S/N 216 S/N 303
S/N 151 S/N 176 S/N 218 S/N 308
S/N 156 S/N 189 S/N 231 --
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These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter
France EC 225LP helicopters.
Reason
(d) Some DECUs used to control MAKILA 2A and MAKILA 2A1 engines
have an ambient pressure (P0) sensor with a measurement accuracy
that may be outside the range required for satisfactory functioning
of the engines throughout the entire operating envelope. In certain
extreme flight conditions, the lack of P0 measurement accuracy could
potentially cause an engine flameout if the engine is operating on a
replacement fuel.
The issue is limited to a batch of 24 DECUs, of which 23 are
known to be still in service. Since 01 January 2010, any such DECU
returned to an approved repair centre has had its P0 sensor checked
and replaced as necessary.
[[Page 22695]]
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, within 75 flight hours after the
effective date of this AD, replace the S/N DECUs listed in
applicability paragraph (c) of this AD:
(1) With a DECU having a S/N not listed in paragraph (c); or
(2) With a DECU having a S/N listed in paragraph (c), that has
been returned to an approved repair center since January 1, 2010.
FAA AD Differences
(f) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
Information (MCAI) and/or service information as follows:
(1) EASA AD 2010-0068-E (corrected), dated April 13, 2010,
requires, for helicopters having two affected DECUs, that one of the
DECUs be replaced before the next flight, and the other DECU be
replaced within 75 flight hours after the effective date of the AD.
(2) This AD requires all affected DECUs be replaced within 75
flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
(3) Although EASA AD 2010-0068-E (corrected), dated April 13,
2010, also applies to the Makila 2A1 engine, this AD does not apply
to that model because it has no U.S. type certificate.
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 2010-0068-E
(corrected), dated April 13, 2010, and Turbomeca Alert Mandatory
Service Bulletin No. A298 73 2815, Version A, dated March 18, 2010,
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 & 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) None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 23, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-9963 Filed 4-29-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P