[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 6, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 76187-76189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31114]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NE-12-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Arrius Models 2B, 2B1, 
2F 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 S.A. Arrius Models 2B, 
2B1, and 2F turboshaft engines. This proposal would require the 
replacement of the right injector half manifold, left injector half 
manifold, and privilege injector pipe with the engine installed on the 
helicopter. This proposal is prompted by reports from the Direction 
Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness 
authority for France, of partially or totally blocked fuel injection 
manifolds, which were found during inspections at a repair workshop. 
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent engine 
flameout during rapid deceleration, or the inability to maintain the 
2.5 minutes one engine inoperative (OEI) rating. The actions are also 
intended to prevent injector air path cracks, due to blockage of the 
fuel injection manifolds.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 2000-NE-12-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent via the Internet 
using the following address: ``[email protected]''. Comments sent 
via the Internet must contain the docket number in the subject line. 
Comments may be inspected at this location between 8 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 S.A., 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.

[[Page 76188]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Rosa, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone: (781) 
238-7152; fax: (781) 238-7199.

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 action 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NE-12-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRM's

    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. 2000-NE-12-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The DGAC recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may 
exist on Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 2B, 2B1, and 2F turboshaft engines. The 
DGAC advises that during inspections performed at a repair workshop, 
some right injector half manifolds, left injector half manifolds, and 
privilege injector pipes were found totally or partially blocked. This 
condition may cause engine flameout during engine deceleration or the 
inability to maintain the 2.5 minutes OEI rating. This condition may 
also cause injector air path cracking.

Manufacturer's Service Information

    Turbomeca has issued alert service bulletin (ASB) No. A319 73 2012, 
Revision 2, dated May 25, 1999, for Arrius 2B and 2B1 turboshaft 
engines and ASB No. A319 73 4001, Revision 3, dated May 25, 1999, for 
Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. These ASB's require the replacement of 
the right injector half manifold, left injector half manifold, and 
privilege injector pipes, based on operating hours and power check 
performance. When replacing the manifolds for the first time, the ASB's 
also require a borescope inspection of the flame tube and the high 
pressure turbine (HPT) area. The DGAC classified these ASB's as 
mandatory and issued AD 1999-217(A) and AD 1999-233(A) in order to 
assure the airworthiness of these Turbomeca turboshaft engines in 
France.

Bilateral Agreement Information

    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 for this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.

Proposed Requirements of this AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require:
     Replacement of the right injector half manifolds, left 
injector half manifolds, and privilege injector pipes with 200 or more 
hours time-in-service (TIS) on the effective date of the proposed AD 
within 30 days after the effective date of the proposed AD.
     Thereafter, the injector manifolds must be replaced within 
200 hours TIS since last replacement.
    Those actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance 
with the ASB's described previously.

Economic Impact

    There are about 130 engines of the affected design in the worldwide 
fleet. The FAA estimates that 22 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
about 2 work hours per engine to accomplish the proposed actions, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would 
cost about $14,320.00 per engine. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$317,680.00 for initial inspection and parts replacement. The 
manufacturer has advised the DGAC that the operator may exchange the 
removed injection manifolds, 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 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.

[[Page 76189]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Turbomeca: Docket No. 2000-NE-12-AD.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Arrius Models 2B, 2B1, and 2F engines. These engines are 
installed on but not limited to Eurocopter France Model EC120B and 
Eurocopter Deutschland EC135 T1 rotorcraft.

    Note 1: This 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 (d) 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

    Compliance with the following initial and repetitive replacement 
procedures are required unless already done.
    Perform the following actions to prevent engine flameout and the 
inability to maintain the 2.5 minutes one engine inoperative (OEI) 
rating due to blockage of the fuel injection manifolds.

Initial Replacement

    (a) Replace injector manifolds and borescope--inspect the flame 
tube and the high pressure turbine area within 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, or prior to exceeding 200 hours time-in-
service (TIS) since new, whichever is later. Do this in accordance 
with 2.A. through 2.C.(3) (except for recording requirement) of 
Turbomeca Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A319 73 2012 for Arrius 
2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines, and ASB No. A319 73 4001 for Arrius 
2F turboshaft engines.

Repetitive Replacements

    (b) Thereafter, replace injector manifolds within 200 hours TIS 
since last replacement, or prior to further flight after performing 
a flight manual power check if the power check shows a negative 
turbine outlet temperature (TOT) or negative T4 margin.
    (c) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any 
injector manifold with 200 hours TIS since new or greater onto an 
engine.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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 (ECO). 
Operators shall submit their request through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, ECO.

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

Special Flight Permits

    (e) 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 November 30, 2000.
Mark C. Fulmer,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-31114 Filed 12-5-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U