Airworthiness Directives; Microturbo Saphir 20 Models 095 Auxiliary Power Units (APU)

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 47 (Monday, March 12, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10920-10922]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4140]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24846; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-21-AD; 
Amendment 39-14981; AD 2007-05-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Microturbo Saphir 20 Models 095 
Auxiliary Power Units (APU)

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    It has been reported that with the existing configuration, a 
certain failure could cause overspeed of the gas generator rotor 
resulting in uncontained burst of the turbine liberating high-energy 
fragments.

    We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 16, 2007. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in this AD as of April 16, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracy Murphy, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate; 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
telephone 781-238-7172; fax 781-238-7170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we 
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe 
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this 
reason might not follow our plain language principles.

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 December 18, 2006 
(71 FR 75684). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states that:

    It has been reported that with the existing configuration, a 
certain failure could cause overspeed of the gas generator rotor 
resulting in uncontained burst of the turbine liberating high-energy 
fragments. The occurrence that the high-energy fragments would be 
uncontained is considered a potentially dangerous situation which 
requires imperative corrective action. The purpose of the 
modification, which has been made mandatory, is to limit gas 
generator speed during an acceleration towards overspeed by 
installation of a modified Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and Drain 
Valve. In addition, the modification also renders the exhaust gas 
temperature (EGT) control function compliant with the certificated 
specifications. In operation, if EGT exceeds the certificated limit 
value, turbine blade shedding could occur.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM 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 the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information

[[Page 10921]]

provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are described in a separate paragraph of the AD, and take precedence 
over the actions copied from the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will 
affect about 3 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will 
take about 10 work-hours per product to comply with this AD. The 
average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about 
$1,000 per product. Where the service information lists required parts 
costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will 
be no charge for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage 
for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than 
estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD 
on U.S. operators to be $5,400 or $1,800 per product.

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://dms.dot.gov; 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 the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is 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

0
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 AD:

2007-05-20 Microturbo: Amendment 39-14981. Docket No. FAA-2006-
24846; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-21-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 
16, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Microturbo Saphir 20 Models 095 Auxiliary 
Power Units (APU) installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter AS 
332C, AS 332L, AS 332L1, and AS 332L2 helicopters.

Reason

    (d) Direction Generale De l'Aviation Civile Airworthiness 
Directive F-2005-146, dated August 17, 2005, states:

    It has been reported that with the existing configuration, a 
certain failure could cause overspeed of the gas generator rotor 
resulting in uncontained burst of the turbine liberating high-energy 
fragments. The occurrence that the high-energy fragments would be 
uncontained is considered a potentially dangerous situation which 
requires imperative corrective action. The purpose of the 
modification, which has been made mandatory, is to limit gas 
generator speed during an acceleration towards overspeed by 
installation of a modified Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and Drain 
Valve. In addition, the modification also renders the exhaust gas 
temperature (EGT) control function compliant with the certificated 
specifications. In operation, if EGT exceeds the certificated limit 
value, turbine blade shedding could occur.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions except as stated 
in paragraph (f) below.
    (1) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, replace the 
existing ECU and drain valve.
    (2) Follow paragraph 2. of Accomplishment Instructions of 
Microturbo Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 095-49A11, Edition 2, dated 
October 7, 2005, to do these actions.

FAA AD Differences

    (f) This AD differs from the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) and/ or service information as follows:
    (1) The MCAI issued by an airworthiness authority of another 
country refers to Microturbo ASB No. 095-49A11, dated July 27, 2005.
    (2) This AD refers to Edition 2 of that ASB, dated October 7, 2005, 
which contains revised torque values.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Boston 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs 
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or 
their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is 
airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: None.

[[Page 10922]]

Related Information

    (h) France AD No. F-2005-146, dated August 17, 2005, also pertains 
to the subject of this AD.
    (i) Contact Tracy Murphy, Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7172; 
fax (781) 238-7170, for more information about this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Microturbo Alert Service Bulletin No. 095-49A11, 
Edition 2, dated October 7, 2005 to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation 
by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 
CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Microturbo SA; Technical Publications Department; 8 Chemin du pont de 
Rupe, BP 62089; 31019 Toulouse Cedex 2, France; telephone 33 0 5 61 37 
55 00; fax 33 0 5 61 70 74 45.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or 
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 2, 2007.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-4140 Filed 3-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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