Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 14, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8092-8094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3255]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0889; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-35-AD; 
Amendment 39-16953; AD 2012-03-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines. That AD 
currently requires checking the transmissible torque between the low-
pressure (LP) pump impeller and the high-pressure (HP) pump shaft on 
high-pressure/low-pressure (HP/LP) pump hydro-mechanical metering units 
(HMUs) that do not incorporate Modification TU 147. This new AD 
requires inspection and possible replacement of the HMU. This AD was 
prompted by three additional cases of uncoupling of the HP/LP pump HMU 
LP fuel pump impeller and the HP fuel pump shaft, since the existing AD 
was issued. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded in-flight 
shutdown, which can result in a forced autorotation landing or 
accident.

DATES: This AD is effective March 20, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of March 20, 
2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of March 
11, 2010 (75 FR 5689, February 4, 2010).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33-05-59-74-40-00, fax: 
33-05-59-74-45-15. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

[[Page 8093]]

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
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 address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rose Len, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 
781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2010-03-06, Amendment 39-16189 (75 FR 5689, 
February 4, 2010). That AD applies to the specified products. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on November 7, 2011 (76 FR 68661). 
That NPRM proposed to require inspection and possible replacement of 
the HMU.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to that comment.

Claim That the Shop Rate Is Too Low

    One commenter, Advanced Helicopter Services, claimed that our shop 
rate in the proposed AD was too low.
    We do not agree. We used the hourly labor rate determined by the 
Office of Management and Budget. We did not change the AD.

Clarification of Paragraph (e)(1)(ii)

    Since we issued the NPRM (76 FR 68661, November 7, 2011), we 
determined that paragraph (e)(1)(ii) was unclear and made changes to 
clarify the population affected. We also reformatted the compliance 
instruction in this paragraph for clarity.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD with the change described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will 
affect about 540 engines installed on helicopters of U.S. registry. We 
also estimate that it will take about 2.5 work-hours per engine to 
comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 
Replacement HMUs will cost about $12,000 per engine. Based on these 
figures, if all of the HMUs were to fail the check, we estimate the 
cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $6,594,750.

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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2010-03-06, Amendment 39-16189 (75 FR 5689, February 4, 2010), and 
adding the following new AD:

2012-03-11 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-16953; Docket No. FAA-2009-
0889; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-35-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 20, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2010-03-06, Amendment 39-16189 (75 FR 
5689, February 4, 2010).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B and 2B1 
turboshaft engines.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by three additional cases of uncoupling of 
the high-pressure/low-pressure (HP/LP) pump hydro-mechanical 
metering unit (HMU) low-pressure (LP) fuel pump impeller and the 
high-pressure (HP) fuel pump shaft, since AD 2010-03-06 (75 FR 5689, 
February 4, 2010) was issued. However, these failures were in HMUs 
that were modified to post-TU 147 configuration HMUs. The 
investigation indicates that these HMUs may also need to be 
replaced. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded in-flight 
shutdown, which can result in a forced autorotation landing or 
accident.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Check the transmissible torque between the LP fuel pump 
impeller and the HP fuel pump shaft as follows:
    (i) For HMUs that do not incorporate Modification TU 147, check 
the torque before accumulating 500 engine flight hours (EFH) since 
March 11, 2010 (the effective date of AD 2010-03-06 (75 FR 5689, 
February 4, 2010)). Use Paragraph 2 of Turbomeca Alert Mandatory 
Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A292 73 2830, Version B, dated July 10, 
2009, to do the check.
    (ii) For HMUs that incorporated Modification TU 147 on or before 
March 31, 2010 and those HMUs that are not listed in Figures 2 or 3 
of Turbomeca Alert MSB No. A292 73 2836, Version A, dated August 17, 
2010:

[[Page 8094]]

    (A) Check the torque within 750 EFH from the effective date of 
this AD, but no later than 14 months after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (B) Use Paragraph 2 of Turbomeca Alert MSB No. A292 73 2836, 
Version A, dated August 17, 2010, to do the check.
    (2) If the HMU does not pass the torque check, then replace the 
HMU with an HMU that is eligible for installation.

(f) HMU Reinstallation

    Do not install any HMU removed from service by this AD until it 
has been checked in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Turbomeca Alert 
MSB No. A292 73 2836, Version A, dated August 17, 2010, or checked 
in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Turbomeca Alert MSB No. A292 73 
2830, Version B, dated July 10, 2009, and found eligible for 
installation.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request.

(h) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Rose Len, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    You must use the following service information to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 
(IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 of the following 
service information on the date specified.
    (1) Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin No. A292 73 2836, 
Version A, dated August 17, 2010 approved for IBR on March 20, 2012.
    (2) Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin No. A292 73 2830, 
Version B, dated July 10, 2009 approved for IBR on March 11, 2010.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33-05-59-74-40-00, fax: 
33-05-59-74-45-15.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference 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 February 6, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-3255 Filed 2-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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