[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 229 (Thursday, November 29, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67562-67564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23031]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28125; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-17-AD; 
Amendment 39-15276; AD 2007-24-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arriel 2S1 and 2S2 Turboshaft 
Engines

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing

[[Page 67563]]

airworthiness information (MCAI) provided by the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) to identify and correct an unsafe condition on 
Turbomeca Arriel 2S1 and 2S2 turboshaft engines. The MCAI states the 
following:

    During assembly of a new HP/LP fuel pump, the drain screw on the 
fuel filter unit failed when it was tightened to the torque value 
specified in the assembly schedule (12 Nm). Investigation of the 
screw showed that it was fully conformed to its specification, in 
terms of both dimensions and material. The mechanical calculations 
show, however, that a torque value of 12 Nm is too high for this 
screw, exceeding the elastic limit of the material. Failure of the 
affected screw could cause a fuel leak, resulting in an engine 
flame-out or engine fire.

We are issuing this AD to prevent a fuel leak as a result of a ruptured 
fuel filter drain screw that could lead to engine flame-out or an 
engine fire.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 14, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of Turbomeca, S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 73 
2824, dated February 1, 2007, listed in the AD as of December 14, 2007.
    We must receive comments on this AD by December 31, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is the same as 
the Mail address provided 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; e-
mail: [email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 
238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Community, has issued EASA AD No. 2007-0063, dated March 8, 
2007, to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
EASA AD states:

    During assembly of a new HP/LP fuel pump, the drain screw on the 
fuel filter unit failed when it was tightened to the torque value 
specified in the assembly schedule (12 Nm). Investigation of the 
screw showed that it was fully conform to its specification, in 
terms of both dimensions and material. The mechanical calculations 
show, however, that a torque value of 12 Nm is too high for this 
screw, exceeding the elastic limit of the material. Failure of the 
affected screw could cause a fuel leak, resulting in an engine 
flame-out or engine fire.

You may obtain further information by examining the EASA AD in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Turbomeca has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 73 2824, 
dated February 1, 2007. 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 AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of France, 
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our 
bilateral agreement with France, they have notified us of the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI AD and service information referenced 
above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the information 
provided by the EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. 
This AD requires the replacement of the fuel filter drain screw and 
tightening it to an effective torque of 6.5 Nm.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because of 
the high risk that the drain screw on the fuel filter unit may fail 
when tightened to the torque value specified in the assembly schedule. 
Failure of the affected screw could cause a fuel leak, resulting in an 
engine flame-out or engine fire. Therefore, we determined that notice 
and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-28125; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-NE-17-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

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 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

[[Page 67564]]

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 AD:
    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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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 FAA 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 adding the following new AD:

2007-24-10 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-15276.; Docket No. FAA-2007-
28125, Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-17-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 
14, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Arriel 2S1 and 2S2 turboshaft 
engines, all serial numbers that have a hydro mechanical unit (HMU) 
installed that was manufactured before December 8, 2006, or 
repaired/overhauled before December 8, 2006. These engines are 
installed on, but not limited to, Sikorsky S-76C helicopters.

Reason

    (d) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2007-0063, 
dated March 3, 2007, states:

    During assembly of a new HP/LP fuel pump, the drain screw on the 
fuel filter unit failed when it was tightened to the torque value 
specified in the assembly schedule (12 Nm). Investigation of the 
screw showed that it was fully conforming to its specification, in 
terms of both dimensions and material. The mechanical calculations 
show, however, that a torque value of 12 Nm is too high for this 
screw, exceeding the elastic limit of the material. Failure of the 
affected screw could cause a fuel leak, resulting in an engine 
flame-out or engine fire.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, within 30 HMU operating hours or 45 
days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, 
replace the fuel filter drain screw with a new one and tighten it to 
an effective torque of 6.5 Nm, using Turbomeca Mandatory Service 
Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 73 2824, dated February 1, 2007.

FAA AD Differences

    (f) This AD differs from the EASA AD and/ or service information 
as follows:
    (1) EASA AD No. 2007-0063 requires compliance with the AD within 
30 HMU operating hours, but not later than 15 April 2007, whichever 
occurs first after the effective date of that AD.
    (2) This AD, written later, requires compliance within 30 HMU 
operating hours or 45 days after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) 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.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to EASA AD 2007-0063, dated March 8, 2007, for related 
information.
    (i) Contact Christopher Spinney, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 
238-7199, for more information about this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 73 
2824, dated February 1, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD.
    (k) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (l) For service information identified in this AD, contact: 
Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40 00, fax 33 
05 59 74 45 15.
    (m) You may review service information copies at the FAA, New 
England Region, 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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 20, 2007.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-23031 Filed 11-28-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P