[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 25, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35981-35982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14321]



[[Page 35981]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0681; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-13-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Models Arriel 1E2, 1S, 
and 1S1 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:

    Turbomeca S.A. has informed EASA of a case of a ``red disk'' 
plug that has been actually installed on an engine which has been 
subsequently released for service operation. This engine experienced 
an in-service high pressure leak event (at the fuel pump outlet) due 
to cracking of this ``red disk'' plug. This leak could lead to in-
flight flame-out and/or possibly a fire.

We are proposing this AD to prevent fuel leaks, which could result in a 
fire and possible damage to the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 25, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, 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 proposed 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: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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-2008-0681; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-13-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://www.regulations.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 Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2008-0014, dated January 17, 2008 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    A plug adapted for engine bench testing (called ``red disk'' 
plug) and not approved for service operation, could inadvertently be 
installed on the engine Fuel Control Unit 3-way union, instead of 
the sealed plug approved for service operation.
    Turbomeca S.A. has informed EASA of a case of a ``red disk'' 
plug that has been actually installed on an engine which has been 
subsequently released for service operation. This engine experienced 
an in-service high pressure leak event (at the fuel pump outlet) due 
to cracking of this ``red disk'' plug. This leak could lead to in-
flight flame-out and/or possibly a fire.

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

Relevant Service Information

    Turbomeca has issued Service Bulletin No. 292 73 0817, dated March 
13, 2008. 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 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 EASA AD and service information referenced 
above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information 
provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. 
This proposed AD would require performing a onetime inspection of the 
correct reference of the plug installed on the FCU 3-way union (P/N 9 
932 30 706 0) and verifying its torque.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 179 products installed on helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 0.5 work-hour per 
product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 
per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $14 per product. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators to be $9,666. Our cost estimate is exclusive of possible 
warranty coverage.

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.

[[Page 35982]]

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 S.A. Docket No. FAA-2008-0681; Directorate Identifier 
2008-NE-13-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by July 25, 2008.

Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Models Arriel 1E2, 1S, and 
1S1 turboshaft engines. These engines are installed on, but not 
limited to, Eurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 series and Sikorsky S-
76A series helicopters.

Reason

    (d) Turbomeca S.A. has informed EASA of a case of a ``red disk'' 
plug that has been actually installed on an engine which has been 
subsequently released for service operation. This engine experienced 
an in-service high pressure leak event (at the fuel pump outlet) due 
to cracking of this ``red disk'' plug. This leak could lead to in-
flight flame-out and/or possibly a fire.
    We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaks, which could result 
in a fire and possible damage to the helicopter.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 100 operating hours from effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time inspection of the correct reference of the plug 
installed on the FCU 3-way union (9 932 30 706 0) and verify its 
torque to be set between 1.3 and 1.5 daN.m in accordance with 
Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin 292 73 0817.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (f) 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.

Related Information

    (g) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2008-0014, dated 
January 17, 2008, and Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 
73 0817, Version C, dated March 13, 2008, for related information.
    (h) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-
7199, for more information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 19, 2008.
Diane Cook,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-14321 Filed 6-24-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P