[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 213 (Thursday, November 5, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57277-57278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-26730]
[[Page 57277]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0889; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-35-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arriel 2B and 2B1 Turboshaft
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed 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:
Several events of uncoupling of the low-pressure (LP) fuel pump
impeller and the high-pressure (HP) fuel pump shaft have been
reported on Arriel 2 engines which do not incorporate Modification
TU 147. In most cases the ``low fuel pressure switch'' enlightened,
the pilot activated the aircraft booster pump in accordance with the
Flight Manual Instructions and landed safely with no other incident.
One case, on a single-engine helicopter, led to a sudden engine
power loss. The uncoupling of the LP fuel pump impeller and the HP
fuel pump shaft may lead to a limitation of engine power or, at
worst, an uncommanded in-flight shutdown. On a single-engine
helicopter, the result may be an emergency autorotation landing.
We are proposing this AD to prevent forced autorotation landing, or an
accident.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 7,
2009.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
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 proposed AD.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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 proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
the same as the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
james.lawrence@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-0889;
Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-35-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on 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
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search
function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any
of our dockets, including, if provided, 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).
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2009-0184, dated August 14, 2009 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
Several events of uncoupling of the LP fuel pump impeller and
the HP fuel pump shaft have been reported on Arriel 2 engines which
do not incorporate Modification TU 147. In most cases the ``low fuel
pressure switch'' enlightened, the pilot activated the aircraft
booster pump in accordance with the Flight Manual Instructions and
landed safely with no other incident. One case, on a single-engine
helicopter, led to a sudden engine power loss. The uncoupling of the
LP fuel pump impeller and the HP fuel pump shaft may lead to a
limitation of engine power or, at worst, an uncommanded in-flight
shutdown. On a single-engine helicopter, the result may be an
emergency autorotation landing.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Turbomeca has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. A292 73 2830,
Version B, dated July 10, 2009. The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of France,
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with France, they have notified us of the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced
above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information
provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
This proposed AD would require the checking of the transmissible torque
between the LP pump impeller and the HP pump shaft, on HP/LP pump
metering units (HMUs) that do not incorporate Modification TU 147. This
proposed AD would also require replacing the HMU if it fails with an
HMU that has not incorporated Modification TU 147 but passes the check,
or with an HMU that incorporates Modification TU 147.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
The MCAI requires the checking of the transmissible torque between
the LP pump impeller and the HP pump shaft within 550 engine flight
hours from the effective date of the AD, but no later than June 30,
2010.
[[Page 57278]]
This proposed AD would require the checking of the transmissible
torque between the LP pump impeller and the HP pump shaft within 550
engine flight hours from the effective date of the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 414 engines installed on helicopters of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2.5 work-hours per
engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80
per work-hour. Replacement HMUs would cost about $12,000 per engine.
Based on these figures, if all of the HMUs were to fail the check, we
estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be
$5,050,800.
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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed
regulation:
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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Turbomeca: Docket No. FAA-2009-0889; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-
35-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by December 7, 2009.
Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Arriel 2B and 2B1 turboshaft
engines that have not incorporated Modification TU 147. These
engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter AS 350 B3
and EC 130 B4, and Chaughe Z11, helicopters.
Reason
(d) 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. We are issuing this AD to prevent forced autorotation
landing, or an accident.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 550 engine flight hours from the effective date of
this AD, check the transmissible torque between the low-pressure
(LP) pump impeller and the high-pressure (HP) pump shaft of the HP/
LP pump metering unit (HMU). Use paragraph 2 of the Instructions to
be Incorporated of Turbomeca Alert Service Bulletin No. A292 73
2830, Version B, dated July 10, 2009, to do the check.
(2) If the check is compliant, apply the nominal tightening
torque to the screw of the LP pump impeller.
(3) If the check is not compliant, replace the HP/LP pump
metering unit with a unit that has not incorporated Modification TU
147 but has passed the check, or with a unit that has incorporated
Modification TU 147.
FAA AD Differences
(f) This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as
follows:
(1) The MCAI requires the checking of the transmissible torque
between the LP pump impeller and the HP pump shaft within 550 engine
flight hours from the effective date of the AD, but no later than
June 30, 2010.
(2) This AD requires the checking of the transmissible torque
between the LP pump impeller and the HP pump shaft within 550 engine
flight hours from the effective date of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness
Directive 2009-0184, dated August 14, 2009, and Turbomeca Mandatory
Service Bulletin No. A292 73 2830, Version B, dated July 10, 2009,
for related information. Contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France;
telephone (33) 05 59 74 40 00, fax (33) 05 59 74 45 15, for a copy
of this service information.
(i) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
james.lawrence@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-
7199, for more information about this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 27, 2009.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-26730 Filed 11-4-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P