[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 4 (Monday, January 7, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 653-655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-199]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NE-41-AD; Amendment 39-12593; AD 2002-01-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 1A Turboshaft 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 1A turboshaft engines. This 
action requires replacement of the 10 main fuel injectors in Arrius 1A 
engines with new or overhauled injectors. This amendment is prompted by 
routine inspections conducted in the repair workshop demonstrating that 
some main fuel injectors were partially or totally blocked. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to prevent blocked main fuel 
injectors that could lead to engine flameout during engine deceleration 
or that could prevent the engine from obtaining the 2\1/2\ minute one 
engine inoperative (OEI) power.

DATES: Effective January 22, 2002.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 8, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NE-41-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location, by appointment, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert P. McCabe, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA, 01803; 
telephone (781) 238-7138; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently 
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Turbomeca S.A. 
Arrius 1A turboshaft engines. The DGAC advises that during routine 
inspections in the repair workshop some main fuel injectors were 
discovered to be totally or partially blocked, and that this condition 
could cause flameouts during engine decelerations and OEI power 
shortfall occurrences.

Manufacturer's Service Information

    Turbomeca S.A. (Group Snecma) has issued Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. A319 73 0071, dated January 1, 2001, that requires 
replacement of the 10 main fuel injectors in Arrius 1A engines with new 
or overhauled injectors. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as

[[Page 654]]

mandatory and issued AD 2000-532(A) in order to assure the 
airworthiness of these Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 1A turboshaft 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 
section 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.

FAA's Determination of an Unsafe Condition and Required Actions

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 1A engines of the same 
type design, this AD is being issued to prevent blocked main fuel 
injectors that could lead to engine flameout during engine deceleration 
or that could prevent the engine from obtaining the 2\1/2\ minute OEI 
(maximum emergency) power. This AD requires replacement of the 10 main 
fuel injectors in Arrius 1A engines with new or overhauled injectors. 
Fuel injectors that have accumulated more than 1,350 hours of operation 
since new or last overhaul must be replaced before further flight. The 
actions are required to be done in accordance with the service bulletin 
described previously.

Immediate Adoption of This AD

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD 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 2001-NE-41-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Analysis

    This final rule 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 final rule.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined 
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may 
be obtained from 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to 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

    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:

2002-01-02  Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-12593. Docket 2001-NE-41-
AD.

Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to Turbomeca 
S.A. Arrius 1A turboshaft engines installed on, but not limited to 
Eurocopter helicopters: Model AS355N, called the Ecureuil/Twinstar; 
and Model AS555UN, called the Fennic.

    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 this AD is required as indicated, unless already 
done.
    To prevent blocked main fuel injectors that could lead to engine 
flameout during engine deceleration or that could prevent the engine 
from obtaining the 2-\1/2\ minute one engine inoperative (OEI) 
power, replace the 10 main fuel injectors in Arrius 1A engines with 
new or overhauled injectors using the following schedule:
    Replacement Schedule
    (a) Before further flight, replace any fuel injector that has 
accumulated more than 1,350 hours of operation since new or last 
overhaul.
    (b) Fuel injectors that have accumulated less than 1,350 hours 
of operation since new or last overhaul must be replaced prior to 
achieving 1,350 hours of operation.

Service Documents for Reference

    (c) Turbomeca S.A. (Group Snecma) Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
No. A319 73 0071, dated January 1, 2001, contains additional 
information concerning the replacement of these injectors.

[[Page 655]]

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, Boston Engine Certification Office 
(ECO). Operators must submit their requests through an appropriate 
FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 
send it to the Manager, Boston ECO.

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

Special Flight Permits Prohibited

    (e) Special flight permits are prohibited because fuel injector 
operation in excess of 1,350 hours is prohibited. However, operators 
can easily replace the fuel injectors at any location using standard 
maintenance tools.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC) airworthiness directive AD 
Number 2000-532(A), dated December 27, 2000.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 22, 2002.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 28, 2001.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-199 Filed 1-4-02; 8:45 am]
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