[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]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 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.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  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