Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arrius 2 F Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 179 (Friday, September 16, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54622-54624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18322]


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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:
    <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, 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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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