[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 69 (Monday, April 13, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16809-16811]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8310]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0330; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-43-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. ARRIUS 2F 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: Rubs between the pipe and the bulkhead may lead to 
premature wearing and finally rupture of the P3 air pipe. The loss of 
P3 air pressure would then force the fuel control system to idle which 
could have a detrimental effect in critical phases of flight. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent an uncommanded power loss, which could 
result in an emergency autorotation landing or accident.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 13, 2009.

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-2009-0330; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-43-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 
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed 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).

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 2008-0134R1, dated February 17, 2009, (referred 
to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:


[[Page 16810]]


    On several ARRIUS 2F engines, the clearance between the P3 air 
pipe P/N 0319719180 and the rear right bulkhead P/N 0319998240 has 
been found to be too small.
    Investigations have shown that both P3 air pipe and rear right 
bulkhead were compliant to the design. The Turbomeca Engineering 
Department concluded that the tolerance of assembly established 
during the design could result in some rubbing between parts.
    Rubs between the pipe and the bulkhead may lead to premature 
wearing and finally rupture of the P3 air pipe. The loss of P3 air 
pressure would then force the fuel control system to idle which 
could have a detrimental effect in critical phases of flight.
    For the reason stated above, this Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
requires the inspection of the P3 air pipe (first section) and RH 
rear half-wall and, in case it is found damaged or non-compliant 
(idem), the replacement or readjustment of parts.

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

Relevant Service Information

    Turbomeca S.A. has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 319 
75 4810, dated May 14, 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 MCAI and service information referenced 
above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information 
provided by France and determined the unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 94 engines installed on helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per 
engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 
per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $705 per engine. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators to be $73,790. 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 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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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-2009-0330; Directorate Identifier 
2008-NE-43-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by May 13, 2009.

Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. ARRIUS 2F turboshaft 
engines with P3 air pipe, part number 0319719180, installed. These 
engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter EC120B 
helicopters.

Reason

    (d) Rubs between the pipe and the bulkhead may lead to premature 
wearing and finally rupture of the P3 air pipe. The loss of P3 air 
pressure would then force the fuel control system to idle which 
could have a detrimental effect in critical phases of flight. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded power loss, which could 
result in an emergency autorotation landing or accident.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions within 100 
operating hours after the effective date of this AD. Use paragraphs 
2.B.(1) through 2.C.(2) of Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 
319 75 4810, dated May 14, 2008.
    (1) Visually inspect P3 air pipe (first section) and RH rear 
half-wall.
    (2) Inspect play between P3 air pipe (first section) and RH rear 
half-wall.
    (3) Replace P3 air pipe (first section) if any damage is found.
    (4) Readjust the first section of the P3 air pipe if the 
inspected clearance is found to be not compliant.
    (5) If the play after readjusting the first section of the P3 
air pipe is still less than 0.5 mm, repeat paragraphs (e)(1) through 
(e)(4) of this AD within intervals of 100 hours time-since-last 
inspection.
    (6) Replace RH rear half-wall if any damage is found.

FAA AD Differences

    (f) None.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) 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

    (h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2008-0134R1, 
dated February 17, 2009, and Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 319 75 4810, dated May 14, 2008, for related 
information. Contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 
(0)5 59 74 40 00; telex 570 042; fax 33 (0)5 59 74 45 15, for a copy 
of this service information.
    (i) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New

[[Page 16811]]

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 April 6, 2009.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-8310 Filed 4-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P