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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 110 (Friday, June 7, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34284-34286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13509]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0940; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-26-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. Arriel 2D turboshaft engines. 
The existing AD currently requires replacing the hydromechanical 
metering unit (HMU) at a reduced life. Since we issued that AD, further 
cases of deterioration of HMU rotating components have been reported 
before the HMU reached the replacement interval in that AD. The 
proposed AD would maintain the existing AD requirements and would also 
require inspections of the HMU. We are proposing this AD to prevent an 
uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the engine, and possible loss of the 
helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 6, 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

[[Page 34285]]

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: Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7779; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: frederick.zink@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-2012-0940; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-26-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 11, 2013, we issued AD 2013-01-07, Amendment 39-17321 
(78 FR 6725, January 31, 2013), for all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2D 
turboshaft engines. That AD requires replacing the HMU at a reduced 
life. That AD resulted from a low fuel pressure event caused by 
deterioration and a loss of the low-pressure drive function within the 
HMU. We issued that AD to prevent an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of 
the engine, and possible loss of the helicopter.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2013-01-07 (78 FR 6725, January 31, 2013), 
further cases of deterioration of HMU rotating components have been 
reported before the HMU reached the replacement interval in that AD. 
Also since we issued AD 2013-01-07, the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) issued AD 2013-0079, dated March 22, 2013. EASA's AD imposes the 
same reduced life as AD 2013-01-07, and, also requires inspections of 
the HMU.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Turbomeca S.A. Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 
No. A292 73 2847, Version B, dated March 6, 2013. The Alert MSB 
describes procedures for inspecting and/or replacing the HMU.

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 maintain the existing AD requirements of AD 
2013-01-07 (78 FR 6725, January 31, 2013), and would also require 
inspections of the HMU.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 56 Arriel 2D 
turboshaft engines installed on helicopters of U.S. registry. We also 
estimate that it would take about two hours per engine to comply with 
this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required 
parts would cost about $14,400 per engine. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators is 
$815,920.

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) 
2013-01-07, Amendment 39-17321 (78 FR 6725, January 31, 2013), and 
adding the following new AD:

Turbomeca S.A: Docket No. FAA-2012-0940; Directorate Identifier 
2012-NE-26-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August 6, 
2013.

[[Page 34286]]

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2013-01-07, Amendment 39-17321 (78 FR 
6725, January 31, 2013).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2D turboshaft 
engines.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by further cases of deterioration of 
hydromechanical metering unit (HMU) rotating components that have 
been reported before the HMU reached the replacement interval in AD 
2013-01-07 (78 FR 6725, January 31, 2013). We are issuing this AD to 
prevent an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the engine, and 
possible loss of the helicopter.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Replace inter-pump complete sleeve, and inspect the female 
splines and HMU high-pressure (HP) pump and low-pressure (LP) pump 
male splines for corrosion, scaling, cracks and wear, at the 
following:
    (i) Before exceeding 400 HMU operating hours since new if the 
HMU has 375 or fewer operating hours on the effective date of this 
AD; or
    (ii) Within 25 HMU operating hours if the HMU has more than 375 
operating hours on the effective date of this AD; and
    (iii) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 400 HMU operating 
hours.
    (iv) Use Section 2.B.(1) of the Instructions to be Incorporated 
of Turbomeca S.A. Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A292 73 
2847, Version B, dated March 6, 2013, to accomplish the replacement 
and visual inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.
    (v) If the HMU does not pass the initial or repetitive visual 
inspections required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, then before 
next flight, replace the affected HMU with an HMU eligible for 
installation.
    (2) Replace the rotating components of the HP and LP pumps, 
including the complete sleeve, or replace the HMU with an HMU 
eligible for installation at the following:
    (i) Before exceeding 800 HMU operating hours since new; or
    (ii) Within 800 HMU operating hours since last replacement of LP 
and HP fuel pumps rotating components; whichever occurs later.
    (iii) Thereafter, replace the LP and HP fuel pump rotating 
components within every 800 HMU operating hours.
    (iv) Use Section 2.B.(1) of the Instructions to be Incorporated 
of Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. A292 73 2847, Version B, dated March 
6, 2013, to accomplish the replacements required by paragraph (e)(2) 
of this AD.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    If before the effective date of this AD, you complied with 
Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. A292 73 2847, Version A, dated May 29, 
2012, you met the initial inspection requirements in paragraph (e) 
of this AD. However, you must still comply with the repetitive 
inspection requirements of this AD.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any HMU onto 
any engine, or install any engine onto any helicopter, unless the 
HMU is in compliance with this AD.

(h) 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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Frederick Zink, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
frederick.zink@faa.gov.
    (2) European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2013-0079, dated March 
22, 2013, Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. A292 73 2847, Version B, 
dated March 6, 2013, and Turbomeca Maintenance Manual Task 73-23-00-
802-A01, pertain to the subject of this AD.
    (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 June 3, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-13509 Filed 6-6-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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