Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23155-23156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09121]



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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 76 / Wednesday, April 20, 2016 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 23155]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-5539; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-37-AD; 
Amendment 39-18493; AD 2016-08-16]
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 all 
Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2E turboshaft engines. This AD requires removing 
the pre-TU 193 adjusted high-pressure/low-pressure pump and metering 
valve assembly and replacing it with a part that is eligible for 
installation. This AD also requires replacing the constant delta-
pressure (delta-P) diaphragm of the fuel metering valve. This AD was 
prompted by reports of fuel flow non-conformities found during 
acceptance tests of Arriel 2E hydro-mechanical metering units (HMUs). 
We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the delta-P diaphragm, 
which could result in an uncommanded in-flight shutdown and damage to 
the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 25, 2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74 40 00; fax: 
33 (0)5 59 74 45 15. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
5539.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
5539; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), 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: Kyle Gustafson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7183; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2016 (81 FR 
30). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Fuel flow non-conformities were found during reception tests of 
ARRIEL 2E Hydraulic Mechanical Metering Unit (HMU). Investigation 
and instrumented tests revealed instabilities on the additional 
check valve. These instabilities lead to hydraulic pulses. All HMU 
installed on ARRIEL 2E and 2N engines could present these 
instabilities.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to life reduction 
of the delta pressure valve diaphragm, and consequently, an 
uncommanded engine power increase, or an uncommanded in flight 
shutdown, possibly resulting in an emergency landing.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-5539.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (81 FR 30, January 4, 
2016).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed.

Related Service Information

    Turbomeca S.A. has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 
73 2193, Version A, dated July 16, 2015. The MSB describes procedures 
for incorporating modification TU 193 and replacing the constant delta-
P diaphragm of the fuel metering valve.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 12 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 
2 hours per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is 
$85 per hour. Required parts cost about $13,400 per engine. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be 
$162,840.

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

[[Page 23156]]

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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2016-08-16 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-18493; Docket No. FAA-2015-
5539; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-37-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective May 25, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2E turboshaft 
engines that have a pre-TU 193 adjusted high-pressure/low-pressure 
(HP/LP) pump and metering valve assembly, installed.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of fuel flow non-conformities 
found during acceptance tests of Arriel 2E hydro-mechanical metering 
units. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the constant 
delta-pressure (delta-P) diaphragm of the fuel metering valve, which 
could result in an uncommanded in-flight shutdown and damage to the 
helicopter.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Prior to exceeding 880 operating hours since new on the 
adjusted HP/LP pump and metering valve assembly or within 50 
operating hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later:
    (i) Remove from service the adjusted HP/LP pump and metering 
valve assembly and replace with a part that is eligible for 
installation, and
    (ii) replace the constant delta-P diaphragm of the fuel metering 
valve.
    (2) Reserved.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install into any 
engine any pre-TU 193 adjusted HP/LP pump and metering valve 
assembly, nor install onto any helicopter any engine that has a pre-
TU 193 adjusted HP/LP pump and metering valve assembly.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request. You may email your request to: [email protected].

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kyle Gustafson, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7183; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-0213, 
dated October 16, 2015, for more information. You may examine the 
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-5539-0002.
    (3) Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 73 2193, 
Version A, dated July 16, 2015, can be obtained from Turbomeca S.A., 
using the contact information in paragraph (h)(4) of this AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74 40 00; 
fax: 33 (0)5 59 74 45 15.
    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, 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 April 12, 2016.
Ann C. Mollica,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-09121 Filed 4-19-16; 8:45 am]
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