Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 21 (Thursday, January 31, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6725-6726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02032]



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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 21 / Thursday, January 31, 2013 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 6725]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0940; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-26-AD; 
Amendment 39-17321; AD 2013-01-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2D turboshaft engines. This AD was prompted by a 
low fuel pressure event caused by deterioration and a loss of the low-
pressure drive function within the hydro-mechanical metering unit 
(HMU). This AD requires replacing the HMU at a reduced life. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the 
engine, and possible loss of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 7, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email: 
[email protected]; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on October 9, 2012 (77 
FR 61303). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
states:

    During an Arriel 2D endurance test, the illumination of the low 
fuel pressure warning light was observed. The investigation of the 
high pressure/low pressure (HP/LP) pump assembly within the hydro-
mechanical metering unit (HMU), removed following this occurrence, 
revealed a deterioration and a loss of the LP pump drive function.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to an 
uncommanded engine in-flight shut down.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 61303).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD (77 FR 61303) as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will 
affect about 27 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it 
will take about 0.7 hour per engine to comply with this AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts will cost about $14,400 per 
engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $390,407.

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 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 this AD:
    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
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 street address for 
the Docket Operations office (phone: 800-647-5527) is provided in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

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:

[[Page 6726]]

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 AD:

2013-01-07 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-17321; Docket No. FAA-2012-
0940; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-26-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 7, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2D turboshaft 
engines.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a low fuel pressure event caused by a 
deterioration and loss of the low-pressure drive function within the 
hydro-mechanical metering unit (HMU). We are issuing this AD to 
prevent an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the engine, and 
possible loss of the helicopter.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, replace the HMU with an HMU eligible for 
installation:
    (1) Before the HMU exceeds 800 operating hours since new; or
    (2) Within 800 operating hours since last replacement of the 
low-pressure pump spindle wheel assembly, high-pressure pump 
complete sleeve, bearings/pinions (matched assembly), and sleeve 
assembly.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any HMU onto 
any engine, or install any engine onto any helicopter, unless in 
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (e) of this AD.

(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

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Frederick Zink, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; email: [email protected]; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-
238-7199.
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD No. 2012-0141, 
dated July 31, 2012, and Turbomeca S.A. Alert Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. A292 73 2847, Version A, dated May 29, 2012, for 
related information.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74 40 00; telex: 
570 042; fax: 33 (0)5 59 74 45 15. You may view this 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.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 11, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-02032 Filed 1-30-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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