[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 96 (Thursday, May 19, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28791-28793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9982]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21155; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-14-AD; 
Amendment 39-14099; AD 2005-09-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arrius 2F Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting emergency airworthiness directive (AD) 2005-09-51 that we sent 
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of certain Turbomeca 
Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. This AD requires before further flight, 
replacing the Module 2 on certain engines listed by serial number (SN) 
in this AD. This AD results from a report of the failure of a high 
pressure turbine (HPT) blade and damage to two other HPT blades in a 
Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engine. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the engine and subsequent loss of power.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 3, 2005 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by emergency AD 
2005-09-51, issued on April 28, 2005, which contained the requirements 
of this amendment.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by July 18, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-2599, 
telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction General De L'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently 
notified us that an unsafe condition might exist on certain Turbomeca 
Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. The DGAC advises that on March 31, 2005, 
the failure of an HPT blade and damage to two other HPT blades in a 
Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engine caused an in-flight engine 
shutdown (IFSD). That IFSD resulted in loss of the helicopter and 
fatalities and injuries to the occupants. A preliminary investigation 
of the engine found that a ferrule started a disturbance that reduced 
the cooling effect of the secondary air system. The secondary air 
system cools the HPT. Turbomeca identified 38 engines that might 
contain a configuration similar to the engine involved in the accident. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the engine 
and subsequent loss of power. On April 28, 2005, we issued emergency AD 
2005-09-51 that applies to certain Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft 
engines. That AD requires before further flight, replacing the Module 2 
on certain engines listed by SN in that AD.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    This Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft 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. Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC kept 
the FAA informed of the situation described above. We have 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 28792]]

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop 
on other engines of the same type design, we issued emergency AD 2005-
09-51 to prevent failure of the engine and subsequent loss of power. 
This AD requires before further flight, replacing the Module 2, on 
certain engines listed by SN in this AD.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good 
cause existed to make the AD effective immediately on April 28, 2005, 
to all known U.S. owners and operators of Turbomeca Arrius 2F turbofan 
engines. These conditions still exist, and we are publishing the AD in 
the Federal Register as an amendment to Section 39.13 of part 39 of the 
Code Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to make it effective to all 
persons.

Interim Action

    These actions are interim actions and we may take further 
rulemaking actions in the future.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send us any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2005-21155; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-14-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.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 DMS web 
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including 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) or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on 
the plaza level of the Department of Transportation Nassif Building at 
the street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in 
the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

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 have 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 that the 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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Under 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

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 airworthiness 
directive:

2005-09-51 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-14099. Docket No. FAA-2005-21155; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-14-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 3, 
2005, to all persons except those persons to whom it was made 
immediately effective by emergency AD 2005-09-51, issued April 28, 
2005, which contained the requirements of this amendment.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to certain Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft 
engines listed by serial number (SN) in Table 1 of this AD. These 
engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter EC 120B 
Helicopters.

               Table 1.--Engine and Module Serial Numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Engine SN                           Module 2 SN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
34416.....................................................         01045
34417.....................................................         01063
34418.....................................................         01052
34419.....................................................         01053
34420.....................................................         01067
34421.....................................................         01068
34422.....................................................         01051
34423.....................................................         01078
34424.....................................................         01079
34425.....................................................         01080
34426.....................................................         01083
34427.....................................................         01089
34428.....................................................         01090
34429.....................................................         01097
34430.....................................................         01098
34431.....................................................         01099
34432.....................................................         01102
34433.....................................................         01103
34434.....................................................         01109
34435.....................................................         01110

[[Page 28793]]

 
34436.....................................................         01121
34437.....................................................         01122
34438.....................................................         01123
34439.....................................................         01136
34440.....................................................         01139
34441.....................................................         01140
34442.....................................................         01138
34443.....................................................         01141
34444.....................................................         01142
34445.....................................................         01146
34446.....................................................         01147
34447.....................................................         01148
34448.....................................................         01164
34449.....................................................         01165
34450.....................................................         01177
Not Installed.............................................         01149
34033.....................................................         00125
34177.....................................................         00446
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from failure of a high pressure turbine 
(HPT) blade and damage to two other HPT blades in a Turbomeca Arrius 
2F turboshaft engine on March 31, 2005. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the engine and subsequent loss of power.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed before further flight, unless the actions have already 
been done.

Replacing the Module 2

    (f) Before further flight, on Turbomeca Arrius 2F engines that 
have a SN listed in Table 1 of this AD, remove the Module 2 and 
replace the Module with a Module 2 that was overhauled or that has a 
SN not listed in Table 1 of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) Direction General De L'Aviation Civile Emergency 
airworthiness directive No. UF-2005-073, dated April 27, 2005, also 
addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 13, 2005.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9982 Filed 5-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P