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[Federal Register: June 8, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 109)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 32260-32262]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08jn10-4]                         

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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; 
Amendment 39-16323; AD 2010-12-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

 
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. MAKILA 1A and 1A1 
Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 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:

    The installation of TU250 comparator/selector (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 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 13, 2010. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in this AD as of July 13, 2010.

ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.

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: 

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 March 31, 2010 (75 
FR 16022). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states that:

    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.

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.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will 
affect about 10 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it 
will take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with this AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about 
$3,500 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the 
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 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;

[[Page 32261]]

    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://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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (phone (800) 647-5527) is provided 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:

2010-12-02 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-16323. Docket No. FAA-2009-
0982; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-19-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 13, 
2010.

Affected 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (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 a 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.

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 EASA Airworthiness Directive 2009-0090, dated 
April 28, 2009, for related 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use the service information specified in Table 1 of 
this AD 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 
Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40 00; fax 33 
05 59 74 45 15.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 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.

                                   Table 1--Material Incorporated by Reference
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Turbomeca mandatory Service Bulletin
                 No.                            Page               Version                    Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
298 73 0809.........................
    Total Pages: 7                    ALL....................               A  February 12, 2008.
298 73 0810.........................
    Total Pages: 7                    ALL....................               B  April 27, 2009.
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[[Page 32262]]

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 24, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-13433 Filed 6-7-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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