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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9868-9870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03673]

========================================================================
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.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 35 / Friday, February 21, 2014 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 9868]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23809; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-52-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2007-10-
07, which applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B, 2B1, and 2B1A 
turboshaft engines. AD 2007-10-07 currently requires an inspection of 
the splines of the coupling assembly and the hydro-mechanical metering 
unit (HMU) drive gear shaft for wear. This proposed AD would require 
the same inspection and expand the affected population. This proposed 
AD would also remove Arriel 2B1A engines from the applicability. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HMU drive gear shaft, which 
could lead to damage to the engine and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 22, 2014.

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, 
S.A., 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2006-
23809; 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 mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information, 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: Anthony W. Cerra Jr., Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7128; fax: 781-238-7199; email: anthony.cerra@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-2006-
23809; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-52-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 May 4, 2007, we issued AD 2007-10-07, Amendment 39-15048 (72 FR 
26711, May 11, 2007). AD 2007-10-07 applies to all Turbomeca Arriel 
S.A. 2B, 2B1, and 2B1A turboshaft engines. AD 2007-10-07 requires an 
initial inspection of the splines of the coupling assembly and the HMU 
drive gear shaft for wear as well as an additional inspection every 
time the HMU is removed. AD 2007-10-07 resulted from reports of in-
flight shutdown resulting from deterioration of the splines of the 
coupling assembly and the HMU drive gear shaft. We issued AD 2007-10-07 
to prevent failure of the HMU drive gear shaft, which could lead to 
damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2007-10-07, Amendment 39-15048 (72 FR 26711, May 
11, 2007), we received a report of HMU drive gear shaft spline wear on 
Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2 engines. Also, since we issued AD 2007-10-07, 
the European Aviation Safety Agency issued AD 2013-0170, dated July 30, 
2013. AD 2013-0170 requires inspection of the coupling assembly splines 
and the HMU drive gear shaft for wear. AD 2013-0170 also adds the 
Arriel 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 engines to the list of affected 
engines.

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 retain the requirements of AD 2007-10-07, 
Amendment 39-15048 (72 FR 26711, May 11, 2007) except it would 
eliminate the additional inspection when the HMU is compliant after the 
500 hour inspection and the HMU assembly is unchanged. This proposed AD 
would expand the applicability to include Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2C, 
2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 engines, while removing Arriel 2B1A engines.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 470 engines 
installed on aircraft of U.S. registry. We also estimate

[[Page 9869]]

that it would take about 2 hours per engine to comply with this 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. No parts are 
required. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $79,900.

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.
    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

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) 
2007-10-07, Amendment 39-15048 (72 FR 26711, May 11, 2007), and adding 
the following new AD:

Turbomeca S.A: Docket No. FAA-2006-23809; Directorate Identifier 
2005-NE-52-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 22, 
2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2007-10-07, Amendment 39-15048 (72 FR 
26711, May 11, 2007).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 
2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 turboshaft engines.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an additional case of wear 
of the hydro-mechanical metering unit (HMU) drive gear shaft splines 
on both Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2 engines on a twin-engine helicopter. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HMU drive gear 
shaft, which could lead to damage to the engine and damage to the 
aircraft.

(e) Compliance

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

(1) Arriel 2B and 2B1 Engines

    (i) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has 500 or more 
operating hours since new or since last overhaul, then within 25 HMU 
operating hours from the effective date of this AD, inspect the 
high-pressure (HP) pump drive gear shaft splines and coupling shaft 
assembly splines. Use paragraph 2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 73 2812, Version G, dated 
June 24, 2013, to do your inspection.
    (ii) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has less than 
500 operating hours since new or since last overhaul, then inspect 
the HP pump drive gear shaft splines and coupling shaft assembly 
splines between 500 and 525 operating hours since new or since last 
overhaul. Use paragraph 2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 
2812, Version G, dated June 24, 2013, to do your inspection.

(2) Arriel 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 Engines

    (i) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has 500 or more 
operating hours since new, since last overhaul, or if HMU operating 
hours are unknown, then within 200 HMU operating hours from the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the HP pump drive gear shaft 
splines and coupling shaft assembly splines. Use paragraph 
2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 2822, Version F, dated 
June 21, 2013, to do your inspection.
    (ii) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has more than 
300 but less than 500 operating hours since new or since last 
overhaul, then within 225 HMU operating hours, but no earlier than 
500 or later than 700 HMU operating hours from the effective date of 
this AD, inspect the HP pump drive gear shaft splines and coupling 
shaft assembly splines. Use paragraph 2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A. 
MSB No. 292 73 2822 Version F, dated June 21, 2013, to do your 
inspection.
    (iii) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has 300 
operating hours or less since new or since last overhaul, then 
inspect the HP pump drive gear shaft splines and coupling shaft 
assembly splines between 500 and 525 HMU operating hours since new 
or since last overhaul. Use paragraph 2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A. 
MSB No. 292 73 2822, Version F, dated June 21, 2013, to do your 
inspection.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    If, before the effective date of this AD, you inspected your HMU 
after 500 HMU operating hours since new or since last overhaul using 
an earlier version of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 2822, Version F, 
dated June 21, 2013, for 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1 and 2S2 engines, or MSB 
No. 292 73 2812, Version G, dated June 24, 2013, for 2B or 2B1 
engines, you have met the requirements of this AD.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any HMU onto 
any engine, nor install any engine onto any helicopter with an HMU 
affected by this AD, unless the HMU passed the inspection required 
by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD for Arriel 2B and 2B1 engines or 
paragraph (e)(2) of this AD for Arriel 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 
engines.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
to this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Anthony W. 
Cerra, Jr., Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7128; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
anthony.cerra@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2013-0170, 
dated July 30, 2013, for related information. You may examine the 
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2006-23809.

[[Page 9870]]

    (3) Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 2822, Version F, dated June 
21, 2013, and Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 2812, Version G, dated 
June 24, 2013, pertain to the subject of this AD and can be obtained 
from Turbomeca S.A. using the contact information in paragraph 
(i)(4) of this AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Turbomeca, S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74 40 00; 
telex: 570 042; fax: 33 (0)5 59 74 45 1.
    (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 February 11, 2014.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-03673 Filed 2-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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