[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 17, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7306-7308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3044]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1068; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-33-AD; 
Amendment 39-15807; AD 2009-04-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Wytwornia Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego 
``PZL-Rzeszow'' S.A. PZL-10W 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 
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:

    The review of manufacturing process and service experience has 
shown that the ALRP-5 fuel metering pump units released to service 
between May 2006 and April 2007 can be vulnerable for seizing. This 
vulnerability is demonstrated by occurrence of aluminum and bronze 
chips at the filter. This condition, if not corrected might lead to 
seizing of the pump and engine RPM decrease.

    This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI, which could result in low-time pump 
seizure, loss of engine fuel flow and engine power, possibly leading to 
an autorotation landing.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 24, 2009.
    We must receive comments on this AD by April 20, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow

[[Page 7307]]

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: Richard Woldan, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7136; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 2007-0153-E, dated May 25, 2007 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    The review of manufacturing process and service experience has 
shown that the ALRP-5 fuel metering pump units released to service 
between May 2006 and April 2007 can be vulnerable for seizing. This 
vulnerability is demonstrated by occurrence of aluminum and bronze 
chips at the filter. This condition, if not corrected might lead to 
seizing of the pump and engine RPM decrease.

    This AD requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of the 
fine filter in certain serial number ALRP-5 fuel metering pumps for 
aluminum and bronze chips at the filter, and removal of the pump from 
service if the filter fails the inspection. You may obtain further 
information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Differences Between the AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and, in general, agree with its 
substance. But we 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of Poland, 
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our 
bilateral agreement with Poland, they have notified us of the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced 
above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the information 
provided by Poland and determined the unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. 
This AD requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of the fine 
filter in certain serial number ALRP-5 fuel metering pumps for aluminum 
and bronze chips at the filter, and removal of the pump from service if 
the filter fails the inspection.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since no domestic operators use this product, notice and 
opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary. 
Therefore, we are adopting this regulation immediately.

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-2008-1068; Directorate 
Identifier 2008-NE-33-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 
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the 
Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including, if provided, 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).

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 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, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,

[[Page 7308]]

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:

2009-04-01 Wytwornia Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego ``PZL-Rzeszow'' S.A.: 
Amendment 39-15807; Docket No. FAA-2008-1068; Directorate Identifier 
2008-NE-33-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 
24, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Wytwornia Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego ``PZL-
Rzeszow'' S.A. (WSK) PZL-10W turboshaft engines, with the following 
serial numbers of ALRP-5 fuel metering pumps installed. These 
engines are installed on, but not limited to, PZL Swidnik W3/W3A 
helicopters.

            Affected ALRP-5 Fuel Metering Pump Serial Numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PB 99040002....................  PB 94030003.......  PA 07927B
PB 98050002....................  PB 93120004.......  PB 96080005
PA 058701B.....................  PA 05913B.........  PB 07010001
PB 99020003....................  PB 95020005.......  PB 07010002
PB 97010002....................  PB 97030004.......  PA 04891B
PA 02914B......................  PB 97060001.......  PA 11892B
PA 11881B......................  PB 99040001.......  PA 10903B
PB 94020003....................  PB 95050003.......  PA 02915B
PB 93050006....................  PB 94110002.......  PA 02903B
PA 06918B......................  PB 93080005.......  PA 06891B
PA 07912B......................  PB 93120002.......  PB 97050002
PB 02935.......................  PB 97070003.......  PA 07882B
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reason

    (d) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2007-0153-E, 
dated May 25, 2007, states:
    The review of manufacturing process and service experience has 
shown that the ALRP-5 fuel metering pump units released to service 
between May 2006 and April 2007 can be vulnerable for seizing. This 
vulnerability is demonstrated by occurrence of aluminum and bronze 
chips at the filter. This condition, if not corrected might lead to 
seizing of the pump and engine RPM decrease.
    We are issuing this AD to prevent low-time pump seizure, loss of 
engine fuel flow and engine power, possibly leading to an 
autorotation landing.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following visual inspections 
using paragraph (f) of this AD.

Initial Inspection

    (1) Visually inspect the fuel metering pump fine filter before 
further flight.

Fuel Metering Pumps With More Than 30 Hours Time-In-Service

    (2) For fuel metering pumps with more than 30 hours time-in-
service (TIS) on the effective date of this AD, re-inspect the 
filter within 5 hours TIS after reaching 50 hours TIS since the 
initial inspection specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.

Fuel Metering Pumps With 30 or Fewer Hours Time-In-Service

    (3) For fuel metering pumps with 30 or fewer hours TIS on the 
effective date of this AD, re-inspect the filter after each flight 
day, not to exceed 4 hours TIS between each inspection, until 
reaching 30 hours TIS.
    (4) Re-inspect the filter within 5 hours TIS after reaching 50 
hours TIS since the last inspection specified in paragraph (e)(3) of 
this AD.

If Filter Fails Inspection

    (5) If the filter fails any inspection, remove the fuel metering 
pump from service and install a serviceable fuel metering pump.
    (f) Visually inspect the pump fine filter as follows:
    (1) Remove the fine filter from the ALRP-5 pump and visually 
inspect it. Information on removing the fine filter can be found in 
PZL-10W Maintenance Manual, Document No. 19.0.400.
    (2) If there is no evidence of any metal chips on the filter, 
wash and reinstall the filter, and vent the fuel system.
    (3) If metal chips are found on the filter, evaluate the chips 
as follows:
    (i) Aluminum or bronze chips are not allowed.
    (ii) Metallic particles seen as reflection of light are 
allowable in maximum quantity of 10 per filter segment (row) but not 
more than 30 for the entire filter.

Definition

    (g) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable fuel metering pump 
is one that does not have a serial number listed in this AD, is one 
that has successfully completed the inspections required by this AD, 
or is one listed in this AD that has been repaired since being 
listed in WSK Obligatory Bulletin No. E-19W123/DOA/2007, dated May 
2007.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) 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

    (i) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2007-0153-E, 
dated May 25, 2007, for related information.
    (j) WSK Obligatory Bulletin No. E-19W123/DOA/2007, dated May 
2007, and PZL-10W Maintenance Manual, Document No. 19.0.400, pertain 
to the subject of this AD. Contact WSK ``PZL-Rzeszow'' S.A., ul. 
Hetmanska 120, 35-078 Rzeszow, Poland, telephone: 011 48 17 854-62-
00 or 854-61-00, for a copy of this service information.
    (k) Contact Richard Woldan, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7136; fax (781) 238-
7199, for more information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 2, 2009.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-3044 Filed 2-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P