Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arrius 2F Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 165 (Friday, August 26, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50168-50170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16902]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21924; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-30-AD; 
Amendment 39-14236; AD 2005-17-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arrius 2F Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. This AD requires a one-time 
removal and inspection of the fuel filter-holder assembly to determine 
that the fuel control unit (FCU) filter is dimensionally correct. The 
AD also requires updating the Engine Maintenance Manuals to include a 
dimensional check of the fuel filter-holder assembly every time the FCU 
filter element is removed from the fuel filter-holder assembly. This AD 
results from reports of restricted fuel flow caused by a dimensionally 
incorrect FCU filter. Ground run testing may not detect the fuel flow 
limitation. We are issuing this AD to detect a dimensionally incorrect 
FCU filter that could lead to an undetected limitation of fuel flow, 
limiting the maximum power available in-flight, which could result in 
the inability to continue safe flight, avoid obstacles or land safely.

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 01803-5299; 
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 us 
that an unsafe condition might exist on Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 2F 
turboshaft engines. The DGAC advised us of reports of restricted fuel 
flow caused by a dimensionally incorrect FCU filters. Ground run 
testing may not detect the fuel flow limitation and, therefore, it 
could go undetected until maximum power is needed for certain flight 
conditions. We are issuing this AD to detect a dimensionally incorrect 
FCU filter that could lead to an undetected limitation of fuel flow, 
limiting the maximum power available in-flight, which could result in 
the inability to continue safe flight, avoid obstacles or land safely.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Turbomeca 
Mandatory Alert Service Bulletin No. A319 73 4823, dated May 11, 2005, 
that describes procedures for checking the correct position of the FCU 
fuel filter. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and 
issued AD No. F-2005-088, in order to ensure the airworthiness of these 
engines in France.

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 Direction General De L'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently 
notified us that an unsafe condition might exist on certain Turbomeca 
S.A. Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. 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 detect incorrect 
positioning of the FCU filter that could lead to an undetected 
limitation of fuel flow, limiting the

[[Page 50169]]

maximum power available in-flight, which could result in the inability 
to continue safe flight, avoid obstacles or land safely. This AD 
requires a one-time removal and inspection of the fuel filter-holder 
assembly to determine that the fuel control unit (FCU) filter is in the 
correct position. The AD also requires that the Engine Maintenance 
Manuals be updated to include this inspection every time the FCU filter 
is removed from the fuel filter-holder assembly. 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-2005-21924; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-30-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 DMS 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. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2005-NE-30-AD'' in your request.

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:

2005-17-15 Turbomeca S.A: Amendment 39-14236. Docket No. FAA-2005-
21924; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-30-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 EC120 helicopters.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from incorrect positioning of the FCU filter 
that could limit the fuel flow downstream of the filter. We are 
issuing this AD to detect incorrect positioning of the FCU filter 
that could lead to an undetected limitation of fuel flow, limiting 
the maximum power available in-flight, which could result in the 
inability to continue safe flight, avoid obstacles or land safely.

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.

Check Position of Fuel Control Unit (FCU) Fuel Filter

    (f) Within 25 engine-operating-hours after the effective date of 
this AD, remove the fuel filter-holder assembly and check that the 
FCU fuel filter is in the correct position using Paragraph 2 of 
Turbomeca Mandatory Alert Service Bulletin No. A319 73 4823, dated 
May 11, 2005.
    (g) Within 30 days, revise your engine maintenance manual to 
include a dimensional check to ensure the correct position of the 
FCU filter after every installation of the fuel filter element into 
the fuel filter-holder assembly. The latest revision of the Arrius 
2F maintenance manual includes the dimensional check in Sub-Task 73-
23-06-901-002 paragraph (2)(e).

[[Page 50170]]

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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 directive No. F-2005-088, dated June 8, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Turbomeca Mandatory Alert Service Bulletin No. 
A319 73 4823, dated May 11, 2005, to perform the check 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, 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 17, 2005.
Richard Noll,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-16902 Filed 8-25-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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