Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 2F Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 165 (Friday, August 26, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50164-50166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16834]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22039; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-33-AD; 
Amendment 39-14238; AD 2005-17-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 2F 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 S.A. Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. This AD requires replacing 
certain O-rings on the check valve piston in the lubrication unit. This 
AD results from a report of a forced landing of a Eurocopter EC120B 
helicopter. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded in-flight 
shutdown of the engine, which could result in a forced autorotation 
landing and damage to the helicopter.

DATES: Effective September 12, 2005. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of September 12, 2005.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by October 25, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> 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 S.A., 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 01803-2599, 
telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction General De L'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently 
notified us that an unsafe condition might exist on Turbomeca S.A. 
Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. In addition, on May 13, 2005, an 
uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown (IFSD) of an Arrius 2F engine 
resulted in the forced landing of a Eurocopter EC120B helicopter in the 
Gulf of Mexico. Investigation of the engine found that an interruption 
of engine lubrication due to excessive swelling of the check valve O-
ring in the lubrication unit caused the IFSD. The amount of swelling of 
the O-ring depends on the class of oil used, standard (STD) or high-
thermal stability (HTS), and the engine operating time. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of 
the engine, which could result in a forced autorotation landing and 
damage to the helicopter.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Turbomeca 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A319 79 4802, dated June 21, 2005, 
that describes procedures for replacing the O-ring on the check valve 
piston of the lubrication unit. The DGAC classified this alert service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued AD No. F-2005-122, dated July 20, 
2005, in order to ensure the airworthiness of these Turbomeca S.A. 
Arrius 2F turboshaft engines in France.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    This turboshaft 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 S.A. Arrius 2F turboshaft engines of the 
same type design. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded in-
flight shutdown of the engine, which could result in a forced 
autorotation landing and damage to the helicopter. This AD requires 
replacing the O-ring on the check valve piston in the lubrication unit 
at the following intervals:
    <bullet> For engines that use HTS or an unknown class oil, within 
300 hours time-since-new (TSN) or 50 hours after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever is later.
    <bullet> For engines that use STD class oil, within 450 hours TSN 
or 50 hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later.
    <bullet> Thereafter, replace the O-ring within 300 hours time-
since-last replacement (TSR) on engines that use HTS class oil or 500 
hours TSR on engines that use STD class oil.
    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.

Interim Action

    These actions are interim actions and we may take further 
rulemaking actions in the future.

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-2005-22039; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-33-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.

[[Page 50165]]

    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 Docket Management Facility 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.

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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2005-17-17 Turbomeca S.A: Amendment 39-14238. Docket No. FAA-2005-
22039; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-33-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective 
September 12, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 2F turboshaft 
engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, 
Eurocopter EC120B helicopters.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of a forced landing of a 
Eurocopter EC120B helicopter. We are issuing this AD to prevent an 
uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the engine, which could result in 
a forced autorotation landing and damage to the helicopter.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

O-Ring Replacement

    (f) Replace the O-ring on the check valve piston in the 
lubrication unit at the intervals specified in Table 1 of this AD. 
Use the ``Instructions to be Incorporated,'' 2.A. through 2.C. (2) 
of Turbomeca Alert Service Bulletin No. A319 79 4802, dated June 21, 
2005, to replace the O-ring.

                                Table 1.--Compliance Times for O-Ring Replacement
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                                                                                      Thereafter, replace the O-
    If the class of oil is * * *      Then replace the O-ring by the later of * * *        ring within * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) HTS or unknown.................  300 hours time-since-new (TSN) or 50 hours       300 hours time-since-last
                                      after the effective date of this AD.             replacement (TSR).
(2) STD............................  450 hours TSN or 50 hours after the effective    500 hours TSR.
                                      date of this AD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) 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

    (h) DGAC airworthiness directive F-2005-122, dated July 20, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Turbomeca Alert Service Bulletin No. A319 79 
4802, dated June 21, 2005 to perform the replacements 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 S.A., 
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,

[[Page 50166]]

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 August 17, 2005.
Richard Noll,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-16834 Filed 8-25-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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