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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9007-9009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02731]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0024; Directorate Identifier 2000-NE-12-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arrius Models 2B, 2B1, and 2F 
turboshaft engines. The existing AD currently requires replacement of 
injector manifolds and borescope-inspection of the flame tube and the 
high-pressure (HP) turbine area for possible damage. Since we issued 
that AD, we received a report that the corrective actions of the 
existing AD were insufficient to eliminate the unsafe condition. This 
proposed AD would require, depending on the engine model, repetitive 
replacements of fuel injection manifolds and the privilege injector, 
or, repetitive replacements of the privilege injector. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of Arrius 2B1 and 
2F turboshaft engines and damage to the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 8, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     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.
     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 Turbomeca, 
40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74 40 00; telex: 570 042; fax: 
33 (0)5 59 74 45 15. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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 this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket 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: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7176; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: james.lawrence@faa.gov.

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-2013-0024; 
Directorate Identifier 2000-NE-12-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 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    On January 9, 2006, we issued AD 2001-08-14R1, Amendment 39-14423 
(71 FR 2993, January 19, 2006), for all Arrius Models 2B, 2B1, and 2F 
turboshaft engines. That AD requires replacement of injector manifolds 
and borescope inspection of the flame tube and the HP turbine area. 
That AD resulted from reports from the Direction Generale de L'Aviation 
Civile (DGAC), which was the airworthiness authority for France, of 
partially or totally blocked fuel injection manifolds found during 
inspections at a repair workshop. We issued that AD to prevent engine 
flameout during rapid deceleration, or the inability to maintain the 
2.5 minutes

[[Page 9008]]

OEI rating, and to prevent injector air path cracks, due to blockage of 
the fuel injection manifolds.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2001-08-14R1, Amendment 39-14423 (71 FR 2993, 
January 19, 2006), Turbomeca reported that the corrective actions in 
that AD were insufficient to eliminate the unsafe condition. During 
inspections carried out at the repair workshop, some main injectors 
were found totally or partially blocked. In response, the European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the 
Member States of the European Community, issued EASA AD 2012-0249, 
dated November 21, 2012, to mandate replacements of the fuel injection 
manifolds and privilege injector on Arrius 2B1 turboshaft engines, and, 
EASA AD 2012-0150, dated August 8, 2012, to mandate replacements of the 
privilege injector on Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. Also, since we 
issued AD 2001-08-14R1, the Arrius 2B engine model is no longer in 
service and has been removed from the engine Type Certificate Data 
Sheet No. E34NE, as requested by the manufacturer.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Turbomeca S.A. Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 
No. A319 73 2012, Version I, dated November 12, 2012. That Alert MSB 
describes Arrius 2B1 engine procedures for replacing, checking, or 
cleaning the injector manifolds and the privilege injector. We also 
reviewed Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. A319 73 4001, Version K, dated 
February 10, 2012. That Alert MSB describes procedures for cleaning or 
replacing the Arrius 2F privilege injector.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing 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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, for Arrius 2B1 turboshaft engines, 
initial and repetitive replacement of the fuel injection manifold and 
the privilege injector within 200 hours time-since-new (TSN) or since 
the last accomplishment of Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. A319 73 2012, 
Version I, dated November 12, 2012, whichever occurs first. This 
proposed AD would also require, for Arrius 2F turboshaft engines, 
initial and repetitive replacement of the privilege injector before 
exceeding 400 hours TSN or since the last accomplishment of Turbomeca 
S.A. Alert MSB No. A319 73 4001, Version K, dated February 10, 2012, 
whichever occurs first.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 38 Arrius 2B1 
engines and about 93 Arrius 2F engines installed on helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about two hours per 
engine to replace the injector manifolds and about one hour per engine 
to replace the privilege injector. The average labor rate is $85 per 
hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators to be $663,615.

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 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 that the 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),
    (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.

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

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 airworthiness directive (AD) 
2001-08-14R1, Amendment 39-14423 (71 FR 2993, January 19, 2006), and 
adding the following new AD:

Turbomeca S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2013-0024; Directorate Identifier 
2000-NE-12-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 8, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2001-08-14R1, Amendment 39-14423 (71 FR 
2993, January 19, 2006).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arrius models 2B1 and 2F 
turboshaft engines.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that the corrective actions of 
AD 2001-08-14R1, Amendment 39 14423 (71 FR 2993, January 19, 2006) 
were insufficient to eliminate the unsafe condition. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of Arrius 2B1 
and 2F turboshaft engines and damage to the helicopter.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(f) Arrius 2B1 Turboshaft Engines

    (1) Replace the fuel injector manifolds and privilege injector 
with parts eligible for installation before exceeding 200 operating 
hours time-since-new (TSN) or since last inspection of the fuel 
injection manifolds or privilege injector, whichever comes first.
    (2) Borescope-inspect the flame tube and the high-pressure 
turbine area for turbine distress.
    (3) Thereafter, within every 200 operating hours time-in-service 
(TIS) since last fuel injector manifolds and privilege injector

[[Page 9009]]

replacement, replace the fuel injector manifolds and the privilege 
injector with parts eligible for installation.

(g) Arrius 2F Turboshaft Engines

    (1) Replace the privilege injector with a privilege injector 
eligible for installation before exceeding 400 operating hours TSN 
or since last inspection on the privilege injector, whichever occurs 
first.
    (2) Borescope-inspect the flame tube and the high-pressure 
turbine area for turbine distress.
    (3) Thereafter, within every 400 operating hours TIS since last 
privilege injector replacement, replace the privilege injector with 
parts eligible for installation.

(h) Definition

    For the purposes of this AD, time-in-service (TIS) is defined as 
the number of engine operating hours on the manifolds since the 
manifolds were new or since the manifolds were last cleaned, 
whichever is more.

(i) Installation Prohibitions

    (1) For Arrius 2B1 turboshaft engines, after the effective date 
of this AD, do not install fuel injector manifolds or a privilege 
injector on an engine, or an engine on a helicopter, unless the fuel 
injection manifold and privilege injector have accumulated fewer 
than 200 operating hours since new, or since last inspection.
    (2) For Arrius 2F turboshaft engines, after the effective date 
of this AD, do not install a privilege injector on an engine, or an 
engine on a helicopter, unless the privilege injector has 
accumulated fewer than 400 operating hours since new, or since last 
inspection.

(j) 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact James Lawrence, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7176; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
james.lawrence@faa.gov.
    (2) See European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2012-0150, dated 
August 8, 2012, and AD 2012-0249, dated November 21, 2012, Turbomeca 
S.A. Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A319 73 2012, 
Version I, dated November 12, 2012, and Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. 
A319 73 4001, Version K, dated February 10, 2012, for related 
information.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74 40 00; telex: 
570 042; fax: 33 (0)5 59 74 45 15. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 30, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-02731 Filed 2-6-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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