[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 230 (Wednesday, December 1, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67206-67207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31171]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-42-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arrius 1A Series Turboshaft 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Turbomeca Arrius 1A and series 
turboshaft engines. This proposal would require installation of module 
TU63, which provides a separate supply of fuel for one of the 10 main 
injectors of the fuel injection system. This proposal is prompted by 
reports of unexpected power loss during test flights. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent unexpected power 
loss, which could result in an uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown, 
autorotation, and forced landing.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 31, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 99-NE-42-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be submitted to the Rules 
Docket by using the following Internet address: ``9-ane-
[email protected]''. Comments may be inspected at this location between 
8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone +33 05 59 64 
40 00, fax +33 05 59 64 60 80. This information may be examined at the 
FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glorianne Niebuhr, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted to the address specified above. All communications 
received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, 
will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The 
proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of the 
comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 99-NE-42-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NE-42-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA) that an unsafe condition may exist on 
Turbomeca Arrius 1A series turboshaft engines. The DGAC advises that 
they have received reports of unexpected power loss during test 
flights. This power loss is due to lack of fuel supply to the main fuel 
injectors during low fuel flow conditions. The power loss occurred 
during a very quick decrease of power consumption caused by displacing 
collective pitch of the helicopter to minimum stop, for example, during 
a ``quick stop.'' This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
unexpected power loss, which could result in an uncommanded in-flight 
engine shutdown, autorotation, and forced landing.

Service Information

    Turbomeca has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 319 72 0016, 
Revision 1, dated December 22, 1997, that specifies procedures for 
installing module TU63, which provides a separate supply of fuel for 
one of the 10 main injectors of the fuel injection system. The DGAC 
classified this SB as mandatory and issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
98-200(A), dated May 20, 1998, in order to assure the airworthiness of 
these engines in France.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    This engine model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the 
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, 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.

[[Page 67207]]

Proposed Actions

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other engines of the same type design registered in 
the United States, the proposed AD would require installation of module 
TU63, at the earliest of the following: the next shop visit after the 
effective date of this AD, 120 cycles-in-service after the effective 
date of this AD, or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD. 
The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
SB described previously.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 100 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 9 engines installed on aircraft 
of US registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would 
take approximately 1 work hour per engine to accomplish the proposed 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts would cost approximately $5,500.00 per engine. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on US operators is 
estimated to be $ $50,040. The manufacturer has advised the DGAC that 
they may provide module TU63 at no cost to the operator, thereby 
substantially reducing the cost impact of this proposed rule.

Regulatory Impact

    This proposal does not have federalism implications, as defined in 
Executive Order No. 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication 
of this proposal.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Turbomeca: Docket No. 99-NE-42-AD.

    Applicability: Turbomeca Arrius 1A series turboshaft engines, 
installed on but not limited to Ecureuil AD355 series helicopters.

    Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine 
identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of 
whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area 
subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been 
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the 
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with 
paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment 
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition 
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific 
proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent unexpected power loss, which could result in an 
uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown, autorotation, and forced 
landing, accomplish the following:

Installation of Module TU63

    (a) Install module TU63 in accordance with the Instructions for 
Incorporation of Turbomeca Service Bulletin (SB) No. 319 72 0016, 
Revision 1, dated December 22, 1997, at the earliest of the 
following after the effective date of this AD:
     The next shop visit, or
     Within 120 cycles-in-service, or
     Within 30 days.

Definition

    (b) For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is defined as 
whenever the engine is removed from the helicopter for maintenance.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office. 
Operators shall submit their request through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.

Ferry Flights

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 24, 1999.
David A. Downey,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-31171 Filed 11-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P