[Federal Register: September 16, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 179)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 54622-54624]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16se05-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22430; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-34-AD;
Amendment 39-14275; AD 2005-19-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arrius 2 F Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Turbomeca Arrius 2 F turboshaft engines. This AD requires removing from
service certain serial number (SN) fuel control units (FCUs) or
replacing the constant delta pressure diaphragm in those FCUs. This AD
results from a report of an accident in July 2005 involving a
Eurocopter EC120B helicopter. We are issuing this AD to prevent an
uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown on a single-engine helicopter,
resulting in a forced autorotation landing or an accident.
DATES: Effective October 3, 2005. The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed
in the regulations as of October 3, 2005.
We must receive any comments on this AD by November 15, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone +33 05 59 74 40
00, fax +33 05 59 74 45 15, for the service information identified in
this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299;
telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the
FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Turbomeca Arrius 2 F
turboshaft engines. The DGAC advises that a Eurocopter EC120B
helicopter powered by an Arrius 2 F turboshaft engine experienced an
uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown. An increase in fuel flow led to
an increase in gas generator and power turbine speeds. Turbine blades
separated from the disk due to the overspeed. Turbomeca determined that
the fuel flow increase was caused by an improperly assembled and
subsequent failure of the constant delta pressure (delta P) diaphragm
in the FCU. Only certain types of constant delta P diaphragms have been
identified as being capable of being improperly assembled. Engine
serial numbers that may have this type of constant delta P diaphragm
are listed in Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A319
73 4825, dated August 3, 2005. The manufacturer is making spare FCUs
available as fast as possible and has established a rotable pool of
spares. After we reviewed the Turbomeca SB, we concluded that using the
Turbomeca rotable pool of spares as soon as practicable effectively
manages the risk of another failure of the uninspected engine
population. To this end, we are requiring that FCUs identified in the
Turbomeca SB be replaced as soon as practicable but not to exceed
February 28, 2006. Because the practicable compliance time may be quite
short for some operators and the rotable pool requires consistent
participation, we are issuing this AD as final rule; request for
comments.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Turbomeca
Alert MSB No. A319 73 4825, dated August 3, 2005. That MSB lists the
affected FCUs by SN and describes procedures for removing affected FCUs
from service or replacing constant delta P diaphragms in those FCUs.
The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD
No. F-2005-143, dated August 17, 2005, and AD No. F-2005-143 R1, dated
August 31, 2005, in order to ensure the airworthiness of these Arrius 2
F turboshaft engines in France.
[[Page 54623]]
Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement
This engine model is manufactured in France and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Under this bilateral
airworthiness agreement, the DGAC kept the FAA informed of the
situation described above. We have examined the findings of the DGAC,
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of this AD
The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other Turbomeca Arrius 2 F turboshaft engines of the same
type design. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded engine
in-flight shutdown on a single-engine helicopter, resulting in a forced
autorotation landing or an accident. This AD requires removing from
service certain SN FCUs or replacing the constant delta P diaphragm in
those FCUs. You must use the service information described previously
to perform the actions required by this AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment; however, we invite you to send us any written relevant data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2005-22430;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-34-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify it.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.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 DMS Web
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets,
including 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) or you may visit
http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments
received, and any final disposition in person at the Docket Management
Facility Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800)
647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Department of
Transportation Nassif Building at the street address stated in
ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
the DMS receives them.
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 have 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 that the 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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal
Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (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]2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the
following new airworthiness directive:
2005-19-10 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-14275. Docket No. FAA-2005-22430;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-34-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October
3, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Arrius 2 F turboshaft engines
with the fuel control units listed by serial number (SN) in
Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A319 73 4825,
dated August 3, 2005. These engines are installed on, but not
limited to, Eurocopter EC120B helicopters.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report of an accident in July 2005
involving a Eurocopter EC120B helicopter. We are issuing this AD to
prevent an uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown on a single-engine
helicopter, resulting in a forced autorotation landing or an
accident.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed as soon as practicable after the effective date of this
AD but no later than February 28, 2006, unless the actions have
already been done.
(f) Remove FCUs listed by serial number (SN) in Turbomeca Alert
Mandatory Service
[[Page 54624]]
Bulletin (MSB) No. A319 73 4825, dated August 3, 2005.
(g) Install an FCU not listed in Turbomeca Alert MSB No. A319 73
4825, dated August 3, 2005; or one with a new constant delta
pressure diaphragm installed using paragraph 2.B. of Turbomeca Alert
MSB No. A319 73 4825, dated August 3, 2005.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(h) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(i) DGAC airworthiness directives No. F-2005-143, dated August
17, 2005, and No. F-2005-143 R1, dated August 31, 2005, also address
the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin
(MSB) No. A319 73 4825, dated August 3, 2005, to perform the actions
required by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved
the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 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. You may
review copies at the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-
401, Washington, DC 20590-0001, on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
; 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 September 9, 2005.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-18322 Filed 9-15-05; 8:45 am]
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