Airworthiness Directives: Turbomeca S.A. MAKILA 1A and 1A1 Turboshaft Engines
Federal Register: March 31, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 61)
Proposed Rules
Page 16022-16023
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
DOCID:fr31mr10-18
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39
Docket No. FAA-2009-0982; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-19-AD
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. MAKILA 1A and 1A1
Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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: The installation of TU250 CS boards, however, has resulted in a few occurrences of erratic engine behaviour, in the form of unexpected N1 variations and/or illumination of the ``GOV'' warning light. The conclusions from an investigation by Turbom[eacute]ca are that these malfunctions are due to a lapse of quality control in the varnishing process applied to the boards, and that only boards in a specific serial number range, as defined under ``Applicability'' and referred to below as the ``suspect batch,'' are affected.
We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of automatic engine control during flight due to an uncommanded engine roll-back, which could result in the inability to continue safe flight.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 30, 2010.
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: Kevin Dickert, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: kevin.dickert@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7117, 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-2009-0982;
Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-19-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 2009-0090, dated April 28, 2009 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
The installation of TU250 CS boards, however, has resulted in a few occurrences of erratic engine behaviour, in the form of unexpected N1 variations and/or illumination of the ``GOV'' warning light. The conclusions from an investigation by Turbomeca are that these malfunctions are due to a lapse of quality control in the varnishing process applied to the boards, and that only boards in a specific serial number range, as defined under ``Applicability'' and referred to below as the ``suspect batch,'' are affected.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Turbomeca S.A. has issued Mandatory Service Bulletins No. 298 73 0809, Version A, dated February 12, 2008; and No. 298 73 0810, Version
B, dated April 27, 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
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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.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 10 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $3,500 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $35,850.
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 S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2009-0982; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-19-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by April 30, 2010.
Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Makila 1A and 1A1 turboshaft engines with a comparator/selector (CS) board, part number (P/N) 0 177 99 716 0, and a serial number (S/N) between 241EL and 1192EL (inclusive) installed. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, and AS 332 L1 helicopters.
Reason
(d) The EASA AD 2009-0090, dated April 28, 2009, states that this AD results from the following:
(1) The installation of TU250 CS boards, however, has resulted in a few occurrences of erratic engine behaviour, in the form of unexpected N1 variations and/or illumination of the ``GOV'' warning light. The conclusions from an investigation by Turbom[eacute]ca are that these malfunctions are due to a lapse of quality control in the varnishing process applied to the boards, and that only boards in a specific serial number range, as defined under ``Applicability'' and referred to below as the ``suspect batch'', are affected.
(2) We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of automatic engine control during flight due to an uncommanded engine roll-back, which could result in the inability to continue safe flight.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 50 operating hours from the effective date of this
AD, replace any CS board, P/N 0 177 99 716 0, with an S/N from 241EL to 1192EL (inclusive), that has fewer than 200 hours-since-new
(HSN). Use paragraph 2 of Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin
(MSB) No. 298 73 0809 Version A, dated February 12, 2008, to replace the boards.
(2) During the next 500-hour inspection, replace any CS board,
P/N 0 177 99 716 0, with a S/N from 241EL to 1192EL (inclusive), that has 200 HSN or more. Use paragraph 2 of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 298 73 0810 Version B, dated April 27, 2009, to replace the boards.
FAA AD Differences
(f) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
Information (MCAI) and/or service information as follows:
(1) This AD requires replacing within 50 operating hours after the effective date of this AD, all comparator/selector boards, P/N 0 177 99 716 0, with an S/N from 241EL to 1192EL (inclusive) that have fewer than 200 HSN.
(2) This AD requires replacing at the next 500-hour routine inspection after the effective date of this AD, all comparator/ selector boards, P/N 0 177 99 716 0, with a S/N from 241EL to 1192EL
(inclusive) that have 200 HSN or more.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): 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 EASA Airworthiness Directive 2009-0090, dated
April 28, 2009, and Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletins No. 298 73 0809, Version A, dated February 12, 2008; and No. 298 73 0810, Version B, dated April 27, 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 Kevin Dickert, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: kevin.dickert@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7117, fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 19, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
FR Doc. 2010-7160 Filed 3-30-10; 8:45 am
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