Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 45 (Thursday, March 9, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13062-13063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04634]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-7850; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-16-AD; 
Amendment 39-18819; AD 2017-05-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. 
Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. Arriel 2B turboshaft engines. This AD 
requires removing any pre-modification (mod) TU 158 hydro-mechanical 
metering unit (HMU) and replacing with a part eligible for 
installation. This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-
flight shutdown (IFSD) on a single-engine helicopter, caused by a low 
returning spring rate of the needle of the HMU. We are issuing this AD 
to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 13, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 13, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 
(33) 05 59 74 40 00; fax: (33) 05 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-2016-7850.

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-2016-
7850; 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: Kenneth Steeves, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7765; 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 November 4, 2016 (81 FR 
76885). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Following a report of an un-commanded in-flight shut-down 
(IFSD), Turbomeca carried out an engineering investigation. This 
investigation concluded that the cause of the event was a low 
returning spring rate of the needle of the hydro-mechanical metering 
unit (HMU), which enabled needle oscillation during rapid engine 
deceleration.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to further cases of 
IFSD, possibly resulting in an emergency landing on single engine.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Turbomeca developed 
modification (Mod) TU 158, which increases needle return spring rate 
to prevent oscillation during rapid deceleration, thus preventing 
the risk of un-commanded IFSD. Turbomeca also published Mandatory 
Service Bulletin (MSB) 292 73 3158 for embodiment of this 
modification in service.

    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-2016-7850.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (81 FR 76885, November 4, 
2016) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

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

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., (formerly Turbomeca, S.A.) has 
issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 73 3158, Version A, 
dated April 7, 2016. The MSB describes procedures for removing the pre-
mod TU 158 HMU and replacing it with an HMU that incorporates mod TU 
158. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 124 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Removal and replacement of the HMU..  2 work-hours x $85 per               $0             $170          $21,080
                                       hour = $170 per.
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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,

[[Page 13063]]

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),
    (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):

2017-05-08 Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate 
previously held by Turbomeca, S.A.): Amendment 39-18819; Docket No. 
FAA-2016-7850; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-16-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 13, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Safran Helicopter Engines S.A. Arriel 2B 
turboshaft engines with a pre-modification (mod) TU 158 hydro-
mechanical metering unit (HMU), installed.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-flight 
shutdown (IFSD) on a single engine helicopter caused by a low 
returning spring rate of the needle of the HMU. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the HMU, failure of the engine, IFSD, and 
loss of the helicopter.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) For an engine in pre-mod TU 158 configuration, within 200 
engine hours, or within 5 months, whichever occurs first after the 
effective date of this AD, remove the pre-mod TU 158 HMU from 
service and replace it with a part eligible for installation.
    (2) Reserved.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of the AD, do not install any pre-mod 
TU 158 HMU into any engine.

(g) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an HMU eligible for installation is 
one that incorporates mod TU 158 in accordance with Safran 
Helicopter Engines, S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 73 3158, 
Version A, dated April 7, 2016, or other FAA-approved parts.

(h) 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. You may email your request to: [email protected].

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kenneth Steeves, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7765; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), AD 
2016-0098, dated May 23, 2016, for more information. You may examine 
the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2016-7850.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Safran Helicopter Engines Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 
73 3158, Version A, dated April 7, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Safran Helicopter Engines service information identified 
in this AD, contact Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., 40220 Tarnos, 
France; phone: (33) 05 59 74 40 00; fax: (33) 05 59 74 45 15.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.
    (5) You may view this service information 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 27, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-04634 Filed 3-8-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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