[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 83 (Friday, April 30, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22693-22695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9963]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0411; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-19-AD; 
Amendment 39-16278; AD 2010-09-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Makila 2A Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

    Some digital engine control units (DECUs) used to control MAKILA 
2A and MAKILA 2A1 engines have an ambient pressure (P0) sensor with 
a measurement accuracy that may be outside the range required for 
satisfactory functioning of the engines throughout the entire 
operating envelope. In certain extreme flight conditions, the lack 
of P0 measurement accuracy could potentially cause an engine 
flameout if the engine is operating on a replacement fuel.
    The issue is limited to a batch of 24 DECUs, of which 23 are 
known to be still in service. Since 01 January 2010, any such DECU 
returned to an approved repair centre has had its P0 sensor checked 
and replaced as necessary.

    We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded engine in-flight 
shutdown which could result in a forced autorotation landing or 
accident.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 17, 2010.
    We must receive comments on this AD by June 1, 2010.

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: 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: Kevin Dickert, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7117; 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 AD 
2010-0068-E (corrected), dated April 13, 2010 (referred to after this 
as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Some DECUs used to control MAKILA 2A and MAKILA 2A1 engines have 
an ambient pressure (P0) sensor with a measurement accuracy that may 
be outside the range

[[Page 22694]]

required for satisfactory functioning of the engines throughout the 
entire operating envelope. In certain extreme flight conditions, the 
lack of P0 measurement accuracy could potentially cause an engine 
flameout if the engine is operating on a replacement fuel.
    The issue is limited to a batch of 24 DECUs, of which 23 are 
known to be still in service. Since 01 January 2010, any such DECU 
returned to an approved repair centre has had its P0 sensor checked 
and replaced as necessary.

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

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 and service information referenced 
above. We are issuing 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 AD requires replacement of certain S/N DECUs within 75 flight 
hours after the effective date of this AD.

Differences Between the AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have required different actions in this AD from those in the 
MCAI and service information in order to follow FAA policies. These 
differences are described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These 
requirements take precedence over the actions in the MCAI.

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-2010-0411; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-NE-19-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, 
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:

2010-09-13 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-16278.; Docket No. FAA-2010-0411; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-19-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 17, 
2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Makila 2A turboshaft engines 
with any of the following serial number (S/N) digital engine control 
units (DECUs) installed, if the DECU has not been returned to an 
approved repair center since January 1, 2010.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      S/N 93            S/N 165            S/N 193           S/N 234
     S/N 115            S/N 167            S/N 201           S/N 242
     S/N 138            S/N 171            S/N 215           S/N 296
     S/N 149            S/N 174            S/N 216           S/N 303
     S/N 151            S/N 176            S/N 218           S/N 308
     S/N 156            S/N 189            S/N 231                --
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter 
France EC 225LP helicopters.

Reason

    (d) Some DECUs used to control MAKILA 2A and MAKILA 2A1 engines 
have an ambient pressure (P0) sensor with a measurement accuracy 
that may be outside the range required for satisfactory functioning 
of the engines throughout the entire operating envelope. In certain 
extreme flight conditions, the lack of P0 measurement accuracy could 
potentially cause an engine flameout if the engine is operating on a 
replacement fuel.
    The issue is limited to a batch of 24 DECUs, of which 23 are 
known to be still in service. Since 01 January 2010, any such DECU 
returned to an approved repair centre has had its P0 sensor checked 
and replaced as necessary.

[[Page 22695]]

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, within 75 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, replace the S/N DECUs listed in 
applicability paragraph (c) of this AD:
    (1) With a DECU having a S/N not listed in paragraph (c); or
    (2) With a DECU having a S/N listed in paragraph (c), that has 
been returned to an approved repair center since January 1, 2010.

FAA AD Differences

    (f) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information (MCAI) and/or service information as follows:
    (1) EASA AD 2010-0068-E (corrected), dated April 13, 2010, 
requires, for helicopters having two affected DECUs, that one of the 
DECUs be replaced before the next flight, and the other DECU be 
replaced within 75 flight hours after the effective date of the AD.
    (2) This AD requires all affected DECUs be replaced within 75 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Although EASA AD 2010-0068-E (corrected), dated April 13, 
2010, also applies to the Makila 2A1 engine, this AD does not apply 
to that model because it has no U.S. type certificate.

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 MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010-0068-E 
(corrected), dated April 13, 2010, and Turbomeca Alert Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. A298 73 2815, Version A, dated March 18, 2010, 
for related information. Contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; 
telephone 33 05 59 74 40 00, fax 33 05 59 74 45 15, for a copy of 
this service information.
    (i) Contact Kevin Dickert, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7117; fax (781) 238-7199, 
for more information about this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 23, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-9963 Filed 4-29-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P