[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 33 (Friday, February 20, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7796-7797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3026]


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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; 
Amendment 39-15805; AD 2009-03-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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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:

    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 damage to the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 27, 2009. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in this AD as of March 27, 2009.

ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.

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:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 25, 2008 (73 FR 
35981). That NPRM proposed 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.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

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

[[Page 7797]]

estimate the cost of the 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.

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.

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 provided in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

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:

2009-03-04 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-15805. Docket No. FAA-2008-
0681; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-13-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 
27, 2009.

Affected 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 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, 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin 292 73 
0817, Version C, dated March 13, 2008 to do the actions required by 
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) 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.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 (0)5 59 74 40 00; 
telex 570 042; fax 33 (0)5 59 74 45 15.
    (3) You may review 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 January 21, 2009.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-3026 Filed 2-19-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P