[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2993-2994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-366]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NE-12-AD; Amendment 39-14423; AD 2001-08-14R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Arrius Models 2B, 2B1, 
and 2F Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for Turbomeca S.A. Arrius Models 2B, 2B1, and 2F turboshaft engines. 
That AD currently requires replacing the right injector half manifold, 
left injector half manifold, and privilege injector pipe. This AD 
requires the same actions, but relaxes the compliance time for the 
repetitive replacements on Arrius 2F engines. This AD results from 
Turbomeca relaxing the repetitive replacement interval for Arrius 2F 
engine fuel nozzles based on review of returned fuel nozzles to 
Turbomeca. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine flameout during 
rapid deceleration, or the inability to maintain the 2.5 minutes one 
engine inoperative (OEI) rating, and to prevent air path cracks due to 
blockage of the fuel injection manifolds.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 23, 2006. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of February 23, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone: (33) 05 59 64 40 
00; fax: (33) 05 59 64 60 80.
    You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 
Models 2B, 2B1, and 2F turboshaft engines. We published the proposed AD 
in the Federal Register on May 27, 2005 (70 FR 30651). That action 
proposed to relax time requirements for the replacement of the right 
injector half manifold, left injector half manifold, and privilege 
injector pipe on Arrius 2F engines.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service 
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the 
location.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on 
the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air 
safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    About 266 Turbomeca S.A. Arrius Models 2B, 2B1, and 2F turboshaft 
engines of the affected design are in the worldwide fleet. We estimate 
that 124 of these engines are installed on helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about two work hours per 
engine to perform these actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 
per work hour. Required parts will cost about $14,320 per engine. The 
manufacturer has advised the DGAC that it may provide the parts at no 
cost to the operator, thereby substantially reducing the cost of this 
rule. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the AD to 
U.S. operators to replace all the affected parts one time to be 
$1,791,800.

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.

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 that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative,

[[Page 2994]]

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 by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2000-NE-12-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
Reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the Federal Aviation Administration 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 removing Amendment 39-12218 (66 FR 
20910, April 26, 2001) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, to 
read as follows:

2001-08-14R1 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-14423. Docket No. 2000-NE-
12-AD. Revises AD 2001-08-14, Amendment 39-12218.

Applicability

    This AD applies 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

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions 
have already been done.
    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, do the following:

Initial Replacement

    (a) If not already done in accordance with Turbomeca Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A319 73 2012, Revision 2, dated May 25, 
1999, or Revision 3, dated July 21, 2000, or ASB No. A319 73 4001, 
Revision 3, dated May 25, 1999, or Revision 4, dated October 20, 
2000, 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), whichever is later. Do these in accordance with 
Instructions 2.A. through 2.C. of Turbomeca ASB No. A319 73 2012, 
Revision 6, dated August 14, 2004, for Arrius 2B and 2B1 turboshaft 
engines, and ASB No. A319 73 4001, Revision 7, dated August 14, 
2004, for Arrius 2F turboshaft engines, except that replacement may 
be done at any appropriately rated repair shop.

Repetitive Replacements

    (b) Thereafter, replace injector manifolds, in accordance with 
Instructions 2.A. through 2.C. of Turbomeca ASB No. A319 73 2012, 
Revision 6, dated August 14, 2004, for Arrius 2B and 2B1 turboshaft 
engines, and ASB No. A319 73 4001, Revision 7, dated August 14, 
2004, for Arrius 2F turboshaft engines, except that replacement may 
be done at any appropriately rated repair shop, as follows:
    (1) For Arrius 2B and 2B1 engines, replace within 200 hours TIS 
since last injector manifolds replacement.
    (2) For Arrius 2F engines, replace within 400 hours TIS since 
last injector manifolds replacement.
    (3) For all engines, replace injector manifolds before further 
flight after performing the applicable flight manual or overhaul 
manual power check if that check shows a negative turbine outlet 
temperature (TOT) margin or negative T4 margin.

Definition

    (c) For the purposes of this AD, time-in-service (TIS) is 
defined as the number of engine operating hours on the manifolds 
since the manifolds were new or since the manifolds were 
refurbished.

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. 
Operators must 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  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.

Documents That Have Been Incorporated by Reference

    (f) The inspections and replacements must be done in accordance 
with the following Turbomeca S.A. mandatory alert service bulletins 
(ASBs):

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                  Document No.                      Pages     Revision                    Date
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ASB No. A319 73 2012, Total pages: 8............          8          6  August 14, 2004.
ASB No. A319 73 4001, Total pages: 8............          8          7  August 14, 2004.
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    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation 
by reference of these service bulletins in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Turbomeca 
S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone: (33) 05 59 64 40 00; fax: 
(33) 05 59 64 60 80. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD was addressed by the Direction 
Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness 
authority for France, in airworthiness directives AD 1999-217(A) and 
AD 1999-233(A).

Effective Date

    (g) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 
23, 2006.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 9, 2006.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06-366 Filed 1-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P