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

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 15, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13753-13755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05236]



[[Page 13753]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0115; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-04-AD; 
Amendment 39-18824; AD 2017-04-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 
1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. Emergency AD 2017-04-51 
was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these 
engines. This AD requires inspecting, wrapping, and replacing the 
affected drain valve assembly (DV) installed on these Arriel 1 engines. 
This AD was prompted by reports of fuel leaks originating from the DV 
on certain Arriel engines. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 30, 2017 to all persons except those 
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2017-
04-51, issued on February 8, 2017, which contained the requirements of 
this amendment.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication identified in this AD as of March 
30, 2017.
    We must receive comments on this AD by May 1, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For 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.

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-2017-
0115; 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On February 8, 2017, we issued Emergency AD 2017-04-51, which 
requires inspecting, wrapping, and replacing the DV. This emergency AD 
was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these 
Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 
1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. This action was prompted 
by reports of fuel leaks originating from the DV on certain Arriel 
engines. This condition, if not corrected, could result in engine 
compartment fire, in-flight shutdown, and damage to the helicopter.

Relevant Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Safran Helicopter Engines Alert Mandatory Service 
Bulletin A292 73 0851, Version A, dated January 31, 2017. The MSB 
describes procedures for inspecting, wrapping, and replacing the DV. 
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.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires inspecting, wrapping, and replacing the DV.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the 
compliance requirements are within 10 flight hours or 7 days. 
Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior public comment 
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 any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2017-0115 and 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-04-AD at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 70 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 13754]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspecting, wrapping, and replacing   4.5 work-hours x $85             $7,805        $8,187.50         $573,125
 the DV.                               per hour = $382.50.
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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, 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

    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 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):

2017-04-51 Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A.: Amendment 39-18824; 
Docket No. FAA-2017-0115; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-04-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 30, 2017 to all persons except those 
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
2017-04-51, issued on February 8, 2017, which contained the 
requirements of this amendment.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., Arriel 
1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 
turboshaft engines equipped with a drain valve assembly (DV) with a 
part number and a serial number listed in Appendix 5.1 in Safran 
Helicopter Engines Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) A292 73 
0851, Version A, dated January 31, 2017.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7321, Fuel Control/
Turbine Engines.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of fuel leaks originating from 
the DV on certain Arriel engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
an engine compartment fire, in-flight shutdown, and damage to the 
helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    (1) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (2) Within 10 flight hours or 7 days, whichever occurs first, 
after the effective date of this AD:
    (i) Replace the affected DV with a DV eligible for installation. 
Use the Accomplishment Instructions, Paragraph 2, of Safran 
Helicopter Engines Alert MSB A292 73 0851, Version A, dated January 
31, 2017, to do the replacement; or
    (ii) Visually inspect the affected DV for fuel leakage.
    (A) If a fuel leak is detected, replace the affected DV with a 
DV eligible for installation, before the next flight.
    (B) If no fuel leak is detected, before next flight, wrap the 
affected DV with a self-amalgamate tape using the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 2, of Safran Helicopter Engines Alert MSB 
A292 73 0851, Version A, dated January 31, 2017.
    (C) After wrapping an affected DV, as specified in paragraph 
(f)(2)(ii)(B) of this AD, inspect the DV for fuel leakage before 
each first flight of the day. If a fuel leak is detected, replace 
the affected DV with a DV eligible for installation, before the next 
flight.
    (D) After wrapping an affected DV, as specified in paragraph 
(f)(2)(ii)(B) of this AD, inspect the DV wrapping before each first 
flight of the day. If the wrapping is found defective (loose, 
missing, or damaged), before the next flight, remove the wrap and 
re-wrap the affected DV using the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 2, of Safran Helicopter Engines Alert MSB A292 73 0851, 
Version A, dated January 31, 2017.
    (E) For an engine on which the affected DV was wrapped, within 
180 days after the first wrapping of the affected DV as specified in 
paragraph (f)(2)(ii)(B) of this AD, replace the affected DV with a 
DV eligible for installation.

(g) Definitions

    For the purpose of this AD, a DV eligible for installation is:
    (1) a DV that is not affected by this AD; or
    (2) a DV in which the diaphragm has been replaced in accordance 
with the instructions in paragraph 4 of Safran Helicopter Engines 
Alert MSB A292 73 0851, Version A, dated January 31, 2017.

(h) Terminating Action

    Replacement of an affected DV installed on an engine, with a DV 
eligible for installation constitutes terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this AD.

(i) 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].

(j) Related Information

    (1) For further information about this AD, contact: Robert 
Green, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine 
& Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Emergency AD 
No. 2017-0019-E, dated February 3, 2017, for more information.

[[Page 13755]]

(k) 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 Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A292 73 0851, Version A, dated January 31, 2017.
    (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 March 8, 2017.
Carlos A. Pestana,
Acting Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-05236 Filed 3-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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