[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 29, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69083-69085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20229]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 29, 2006 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 69083]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26091; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-28-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arriel 1 Series Turboshaft
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
In operation, fuel leaks at the level of start electro valve
fuel coupling were observed. A lack of power or an uncommanded in-
flight shutdown may result from these fuel leaks.
The condition described in the MCAI may result in a forced
autorotation landing, the inability to continue safe flight or a fire.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 29,
2006.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
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.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
telephone (781) 238-7175, fax (781) 238-7199; e-mail:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language
principles.
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-
26091; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-28-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
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 we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the aviation
authority for the European Union, has issued Airworthiness Directive
No. 2006-0068, dated March 24, 2006 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states that:
In operation, fuel leaks at the level of start electro valve
fuel coupling were observed. A lack of power or an uncommanded in-
flight shutdown may result from these fuel leaks.
The condition described in the MCAI may result in a forced
autorotation landing, the inability to continue safe flight or a fire.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI. You may obtain further
information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Turbomeca has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. A292 73 0251,
Update No. 2, dated February 5, 2001. The actions described in this
service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition
identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all
[[Page 69084]]
information provided by the State of Design Authority and determined
the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
described in a separate paragraph of the proposed AD. These
requirements, if ultimately adopted, will take precedence over the
actions copied from the MCAI.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 790 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 1.5 work-hours per product to comply with this
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required
parts would cost about $6,000 per product. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be
$4,834,800, or $6,120 per product.
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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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. 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
TURBOMECA: Docket No. FAA-2006-26091; Directorate Identifier 2006-
NE-28-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by December 29, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Arriel -1A, -1A1, -1A2, -1B, -
1B2, -1C, -1C1, -1C2, -1D, -1D, -1D1, -1K1, -1E, -1E2, -1S, and -1S1
series turboshaft engines.
Reason
(d) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2006-0068,
dated March 24, 2006, states:
In operation, fuel leaks at the level of start electro valve
fuel coupling were observed. A lack of power or an uncommanded in-
flight shutdown may result from these fuel leaks.
The condition described in the EASA AD may result in a forced
autorotation landing, the inability to continue safe flight or a fire.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, unless
already done, do the following actions:
(1) Check the condition of the three fuel unions and the ignition
solenoid valve/start drain valve assembly, and check for their proper
assembly.
(2) Correct the installations if necessary.
(3) Use Turbomeca Alert Service Bulletin No. A292 73 0251, Update
No. 2, dated February 5, 2001, to do the checks and corrections.
AD Differences
(f) None.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Engine
Certification Office, FAA has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or
their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is
airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this
AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the
information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number
2120-0056.
Related Information
(h) Contact Christopher Spinney, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7175,
fax (781) 238-7199; e-mail: [email protected] for more
information about this AD.
(i) Refer to EASA AD No. 2006-0068, dated March 24, 2006, for
related information.
[[Page 69085]]
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 21, 2006.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6-20229 Filed 11-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P