Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Artouste III B, Artouste III B1, and Artouste III D Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 183 (Friday, September 21, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53937-53939]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18434]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23594; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-54-AD; 
Amendment 39-15202; AD 2007-19-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Artouste III B, Artouste 
III B1, and Artouste III D Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) for Turbomeca Artouste III B, Artouste III B1, and Artouste III D 
turboshaft engines. That AD currently requires removing certain fuel 
pumps from service and installing serviceable fuel pumps. This AD 
requires the same actions and adds to the applicability, additional 
fuel pumps by serial number (SN). This AD results from Turbomeca 
identifying a number of fuel pump SNs that they omitted from the 
original population. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced engine 
fuel flow and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, or an 
accident.

DATES: Effective October 9, 2007.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by November 20, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <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.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    Contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40 
00, fax 33 05 59 74 45 15, for the service information identified in 
this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 17, 2006, the FAA issued AD 
2005-04-15, Amendment 39-14497 (71 FR 9692, February 27, 2006). That AD 
requires removing affected fuel pumps from service and installing 
serviceable fuel pumps, within 30 days or 80 operating hours after 
receipt of a serviceable fuel pump, whichever occurs first, but no 
later than March 15, 2006. That AD was the result of fuel pumps 
entering service after passing a faulty acceptance test. Accordingly, 
those fuel pumps may limit the maximum fuel flow available to the 
engine. That condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced 
engine fuel flow and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, or 
an accident.

Actions Since AD 2006-04-15 Was Issued

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
airworthiness authority for the European Union, notified the FAA that 
Turbomeca has identified an additional 58 fuel pumps, by SN, that were 
omitted from the original SN listing. These pumps may be installed on 
U.S.-registered Eurocopter France Alouette III SE.3160, SA.316B, 
SA.315B, and SA.316C helicopters.
    Turbomeca issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 218 73 0802, Update 
1, dated January 8, 2007, to address the 160 suspect fuel pumps. We 
cannot confirm that these fuel pumps have been removed from service and 
retested or replaced. The EASA issued AD 2007-0030, dated February 6, 
2007, in order to ensure the airworthiness of these engines in the 
European Union. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced helicopter 
performance, subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, or accident.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    Turbomeca SB 218 73 0802, Update 1, dated January 8, 2007, requires 
compliance by March 1, 2007, at the latest. This AD requires compliance 
no later than 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    This engine model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Under this bilateral 
airworthiness agreement, the EASA has kept the FAA informed of the 
situation described above. We have examined the findings of the EASA, 
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is 
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other Turbomeca Artouste III B, Artouste III B1, and 
Artouste III D turboshaft engines of the same type design. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent reduced engine fuel flow and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter, or an accident. This AD requires:
    <bullet> For pumps with a SN listed in Table 1 of this AD, removing 
affected fuel pumps from service and installing serviceable fuel pumps 
no later than

[[Page 53938]]

March 15, 2006, the compliance end date of AD 2005-04-15.
    <bullet> For pumps with a SN listed in Table 2 of this AD, removing 
affected fuel pumps from service and installing serviceable fuel pumps 
before accumulating 50 cycles-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, but no later than 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD 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 us any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2006-23594; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-54-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the DMS Web 
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.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 (telephone (800) 647-5527) is provided in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

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 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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal 
Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (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 Amendment 39-14497 (71 FR 
9692, February 27, 2006), and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
Amendment 39-15202, to read as follows:

2007-19-11 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-15202. Docket No. FAA-2005-
23594; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-54-AD.

 Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 
9, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-04-15, Amendment 39-14497.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Artouste III B, Artouste III 
B1, and Artouste III D turboshaft engines. These engines are 
installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter France Alouette III 
SE.3160, SA.316B, SA.315B, and SA.316C helicopters.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from Turbomeca S.A. identifying a number of 
fuel pump serial numbers (SNs) that they omitted from the original 
population. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced engine fuel 
flow and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, or an 
accident.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

Original Requirement

    (f) Remove from service the fuel pumps listed by SN in Table 1 
of this AD, and install a serviceable fuel pump no later than March 
15, 2006.

                    Table 1.--Affected Fuel Pump SNs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A59B                     F504B                    2827
A82B                     F506B                    2828
A91B                     F537B                    2830
B14B                     F561B                    2838
B29B                     F589B                    2854
B42B                     F596B                    2867
C27B                     F607B                    2868
C6B                      F630B                    2884
C92B                     F643B                    2944
D16B                     F706B                    3078
D18B                     F724B                    3175
D20B                     F743B                    3230
D80B                     F745B                    3259
D99B                     F748B                    3282
E49B                     F759B                    3343
E77B                     F760B                    3376
E90B                     F762B                    3383

[[Page 53939]]

 
F112B                    F957B                    3385
F131B                    808                      3397
F176B                    1725                     3458
F220B                    1766                     3515
F243B                    1770                     3548
F253B                    1897                     3660
F262B                    1941                     3746
F293B                    2154                     3756
F317B                    2155                     3757
F320B                    2233                     3783
F357B                    2512                     3792
F368B                    2620                     3826
F420B                    2729                     3858
F464B                    2759                     3888
F466B                    2763                     3894
F477B                    2786                     3979
F47B                     2787                     4066
------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Requirement

    (g) Remove from service the fuel pumps listed by SN in Table 2 
of this AD, and install a serviceable fuel pump, before accumulating 
50 hours in service after the effective date of this AD, but no 
later than 30 days from the effective date of this AD.

               Table 2.--Additional Affected Fuel Pump SNs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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158B                     3395                     F129B
1749                     3438                     F151B
1750                     3581                     F164B
2103                     3725                     F335B
2577                     3729                     F350B
2665                     3884                     F472B
2728                     3923                     F48B
2837                     4123                     F551B
2882                     4129                     F620B
2887                     4213                     F652B
2894                     4241B                    F66B
2933                     B52B                     F776B
3045                     B82B                     F801B
3120                     C01B                     F817B
3200                     D14B                     F833B
3220                     D2B                      F944B
3277                     D71B                     F971B
3293                     D93B                     G58B
3323                     E67B                     G61B
3326
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Definition

    (h) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable fuel pump is:
    (1) A fuel pump that is not listed in Table 1 or Table 2 of this 
AD; or
    (2) A fuel pump that is listed in Table 1 or Table 2 of this AD 
that has been retested to verify that it meets maximum fuel flow 
requirements.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (j) European Aviation Safety Agency AD No. 2007-0030, dated 
February 6, 2007, also addresses the subject of this AD.
    (k) Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 218 73 0802, Update 
No. 1, dated January 8, 2007, pertains to the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 11, 2007.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-18434 Filed 9-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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