[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1947-1949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-494]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

RIN 2120-AA64
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22430; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-34-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arrius 2 F Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) for Turbomeca Arrius 2 F turboshaft engines. That AD 
currently requires removing from service certain serial number (SN) 
fuel control units (FCUs) or replacing the constant delta pressure 
diaphragm in those FCUs. This proposed AD would require replacing all 
FCUs not incorporating modification Tf 55 with FCUs that incorporate 
modification Tf 55. This proposed AD results from the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) and Turbomeca expanding the applicability to the 
full population of FCUs installed on Arrius 2 F turboshaft engines. 
FCUs not incorporating modification Tf 55 are susceptible to having an 
improperly assembled constant delta pressure (delta P) diaphragm. We 
are proposing this AD to prevent an uncommanded engine in-flight 
shutdown on a single-engine helicopter, resulting in a forced 
autorotation landing or an accident.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by March 19, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD.

[[Page 1948]]

     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.
    Contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone +33 05 59 74 40 
00, fax +33 05 59 74 45 15, for the service information identified in 
this proposed AD.

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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-22430; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-34-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of 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 with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed 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 proposal, any comments 
received and any final disposition in person at the DMS Docket Office 
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.

Discussion

    On September 9, 2005, the FAA issued AD 2005-19-10, Amendment 39-
14275 (70 FR 54622, September 16, 2005). That AD requires removing from 
service certain SN FCUs or replacing the constant delta P diaphragm in 
those FCUs. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, 
notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on Turbomeca Arrius 2 F 
turboshaft engines. EASA advises that the Arrius 2 F engine fleet is 
susceptible to having an improperly assembled constant delta pressure 
(delta P) diaphragm (pre-modification Tf 55) in the FCU.

Actions Since AD 2005-19-10 Was Issued

    Since AD 2005-19-10 was issued, EASA issued AD No. 2006-0237, dated 
August 9, 2006, which expands the applicability to the full population 
of FCUs installed on Arrius 2 F turboshaft engines that have not 
incorporated modification Tf 55. Also, Turbomeca issued Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. 319 73 4055, Update No. 1, dated March 17, 2006, 
to introduce modification Tf 55 to all Arrius 2 F FCUs. Modification Tf 
55 upgrades the FCU with a constant delta P diaphragm that cannot be 
improperly assembled.

Bilateral Agreement Information

    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. Under this bilateral 
airworthiness agreement, EASA kept us informed of the situation 
described above. We have examined the findings of EASA, 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 and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products 
of this same type design. We are proposing this AD, which would require 
replacing FCUs that do not incorporate modification Tf 55, with FCUs 
that do.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 46 Arrius 2 F 
turboshaft engines installed on helicopters of U.S. registry. We also 
estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours per engine to perform 
the proposed FCU replacement and that the average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $25,480 per engine. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. 
operators to be $1,183,120.

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 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 that the 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

[[Page 1949]]

    3. Would 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. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

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 Federal Aviation Administration 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 removing Amendment 39-14275 (70 FR 
54622, September 16, 2005) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
to read as follows:

Turbomeca: Docket No. FAA-2005-22430; Directorate Identifier 2005-
NE-34-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by March 19, 
2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-19-10, Amendment 39-14275.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Arrius 2 F turboshaft engines 
with fuel control units (FCUs) not incorporating modification Tf 55. 
These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter 
EC120B helicopters.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) and Turbomeca expanding the applicability to the full 
population of FCUs installed on Arrius 2 F turboshaft engines. FCUs 
not incorporating modification Tf 55 are susceptible to having an 
improperly assembled constant delta pressure (delta P) diaphragm. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded engine in-flight 
shutdown on a single-engine helicopter, resulting in a forced 
autorotation landing or an accident.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed as soon as practicable after the effective date of this 
AD but no later than July 31, 2007, unless the actions have already 
been done.
    (f) Replace all FCUs not incorporating modification Tf 55 with 
FCUs that incorporate modification Tf 55.

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) 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) EASA AD No. 2006-0237, dated August 9, 2006, addresses the 
subject of this AD.
    (j) Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin, Update No. 1, dated 
March 17, 2006, pertains to the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 10, 2007.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-494 Filed 1-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P