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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 1 (Monday, January 4, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30-32]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32963]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-5539; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-37-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2E turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was

[[Page 31]]

prompted by reports of fuel flow non-conformities found during 
acceptance tests of Arriel 2E hydro-mechanical metering units (HMUs). 
This proposed AD would require removing the pre-TU 193 adjusted high-
pressure/low-pressure (HP/LP) pump and metering valve assembly and 
replacing it with a part that is eligible for installation. This 
proposed AD would also require replacing the constant delta-pressure 
(delta-P) diaphragm of the fuel metering valve. We are proposing this 
AD to prevent failure of the delta-P diaphragm, which could result in 
an uncommanded in-flight shutdown and damage to the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 4, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     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.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74 40 00; 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
5539 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The 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: Kyle Gustafson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7183; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: kyle.gustafson@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this NPRM. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-5539; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-37-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM 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 we 
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2015-0213, dated October 16, 2015 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    Fuel flow non-conformities were found during reception tests of 
ARRIEL 2E Hydraulic Mechanical Metering Unit (HMU). Investigation 
and instrumented tests revealed instabilities on the additional 
check valve. These instabilities lead to hydraulic pulses. All HMU 
installed on ARRIEL 2E and 2N engines could present these 
instabilities.

    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to life reduction 
of the delta pressure valve diaphragm, and consequently, an 
uncommanded engine power increase, or an uncommanded in flight 
shutdown, possibly resulting in an emergency landing.

    This proposed AD applies to Arriel 2E engines only. There are no 
Arriel 2N engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-5539.

Related Service Information

    Turbomeca S.A. has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 
73 2193, Version A, dated July 16, 2015. The MSB describes procedures 
for incorporating modification TU 193 and replacing the constant delta-
P diaphragm of the fuel metering valve. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

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 the European Community, EASA has notified us 
of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. We are 
proposing this NPRM 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 NPRM would 
require removing the pre-TU 193 adjusted HP/LP pump and metering valve 
assembly and replacing it with a part that is eligible for 
installation. This NPRM would also require replacing the constant 
delta-P diaphragm of the fuel metering valve.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 12 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 
2 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost about $13,400 per engine. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $162,840.

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.

[[Page 32]]

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),
    (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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Turbomeca S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2015-5539; Directorate Identifier 
2015-NE-37-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 4, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2E turboshaft 
engines that have a pre-TU 193 adjusted high-pressure/low-pressure 
(HP/LP) pump and metering valve assembly, installed.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of fuel flow non-conformities 
found during acceptance tests of Arriel 2E hydro-mechanical metering 
units. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the constant 
delta-pressure (delta-P) diaphragm of the fuel metering valve, which 
could result in an uncommanded in-flight shutdown and damage to the 
helicopter.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Prior to exceeding 880 operating hours since new on the 
adjusted HP/LP pump and metering valve assembly or within 50 
operating hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later:
    (i) remove from service the adjusted HP/LP pump and metering 
valve assembly and replace with a part that is eligible for 
installation, and
    (ii) replace the constant delta-P diaphragm of the fuel metering 
valve.
    (2) Reserved.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install into any 
engine any pre-TU 193 adjusted HP/LP pump and metering valve 
assembly, nor install onto any helicopter any engine that has a pre-
TU 193 adjusted HP/LP pump and metering valve assembly.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kyle Gustafson, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7183; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
kyle.gustafson@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-0213, 
dated October 16, 2015, for more information. You may examine the 
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2015-5539.
    (3) Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 73 2193, 
Version A, dated July 16, 2015, can be obtained from Turbomeca S.A., 
using the contact information in paragraph (h)(4) of this proposed 
AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74 
40 00; fax: 33 (0)5 59 74 45 15.
    (5) 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 December 18, 2015.
Ann C. Mollica,
Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-32963 Filed 12-31-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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