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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 25, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43552-43554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18050]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0681; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-13-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 1E2, 1S, and 1S1 
turboshaft engines. The existing AD currently requires a one time 
inspection and torque check of a certain 3-way union plug installed on 
all fuel control units (FCUs). Since we issued that AD, the 
applicability has been reduced to certain FCUs and the referenced 
service bulletin has been updated with additional detailed information 
to identify the non-compliant ``red disk'' plug. This proposed AD would 
still require a one time inspection and torque check of the 3-way union 
plug, would require replacement of the plug before further flight if it 
is found to be non-compliant, and would prohibit installation of FCUs 
that have not passed the 3-way union plug inspection and torque check. 
We are proposing this AD to prevent fuel leaks, which could result in a 
fire and damage to the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 24, 
2012.

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 05 59 74 40 00; fax: 33 05 59 74 
45 15. You may review copies of the referenced 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: Rose Len, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 
781-238-7199; email: rose.len@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-2008-0681; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-13-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,

[[Page 43553]]

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 21, 2009, we issued AD 2009-03-04, Amendment 39-15805 
(74 FR 7796, February 20, 2009), for all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1E2, 1S, 
and 1S1 turboshaft engines. That AD requires a one time inspection and 
torque check of a certain 3-way union plug installed on all FCUs. That 
AD resulted from Turbomeca S.A. informing the European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) of a case of a ``red disk'' plug, adapted for bench 
testing, which was installed on the FCU on an engine and released for 
service operation. That engine experienced an in-service high pressure 
leak event (at the fuel pump outlet) due to cracking of this ``red 
disk'' plug. That leak could lead to in-flight flame-out and/or 
possibly a fire. We issued that AD to prevent fuel leaks, which could 
result in a fire and damage to the helicopter.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2009-03-04, Turbomeca S.A. has identified FCUs 
that are not affected, which are FCUs that have a manufacturing date 
indicated on the identification plate later than March 31, 2008 and/or 
that have a latest repair/overhaul date recorded on the FCU log card 
later than March 31, 2008.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 
73 0817, Version D, dated February 29, 2012. The MSB describes 
procedures for performing a one time inspection and torque check of a 
certain 3-way union plug installed on certain FCUs.

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 a smaller population of products of the 
same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain all of the requirements of AD 2009-
03-04, (74 FR 7796, February 20, 2009), including those requirements 
related to a one time inspection and torque check. However, this 
proposed AD would reduce the affected population of FCU 3-way union 
plugs, require plug replacement before further flight if it fails the 
inspection, and would prohibit installation of FCUs that have not 
passed the 3-way union plug inspection and torque check.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on updated service information, we estimate that this 
proposed AD would affect about 179 engines installed on helicopters of 
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 0.5 work-hour 
per product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is 
$85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $14 per engine. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators to be $10,114. Our cost estimate is exclusive of possible 
warranty coverage.

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, 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

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing airworthiness directive 
(AD) 2009-03-04, Amendment 39-15805 (74 FR 7796, February 20, 2009), 
and adding the following new AD:

Turbomeca S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2008-0681; Directorate Identifier 
2008-NE-13-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by September 24, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2009-03-04, Amendment 39-15805 (74 FR 
7796, February 20, 2009). This AD was prompted by Turbomeca S.A. 
informing us that FCUs manufactured, repaired, or overhauled after 
March 31, 2008, do not require inspection.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. models Arriel 1E2, 1S, and 1S1 
turboshaft engines with fuel control units (FCUs) manufactured, 
repaired, or overhauled on or before March 31, 2008.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    Turbomeca S.A. informed the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) of a case of a ``red disk'' plug, adapted for bench testing, 
which was installed on the FCU on an engine and released for service 
operation. An engine experienced an in-service high pressure leak 
event (at the fuel pump outlet) due to cracking of this ``red disk'' 
plug. This leak could lead to in-flight flame-out and/or possibly a 
fire. This AD was prompted by Turbomeca S.A. informing us that FCUs 
manufactured, repaired, or overhauled after March 31, 2008, do not 
require inspection. We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaks, 
which could result in a fire and damage to the helicopter.

[[Page 43554]]

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done. Within 100 operating hours from the effective 
date of this AD, perform a one time inspection of the plug installed 
in the FCU 3-way union, part number 9 932 30 706 0.
    (1) If the FCU 3-way union plug is unpainted, verify the plug is 
torqued to between 1.3 and 1.5 daN.m, in accordance with Turbomeca 
S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 73 0817, Version D, 
dated February 29, 2012, before further flight.
    (2) If the FCU 3-way union plug has any red paint on it, replace 
it with a serviceable plug and torque the plug to between 1.3 and 
1.5 daN.m, in accordance with Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 0817, 
Version D, dated February 29, 2012, before further flight.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any FCU 
manufactured, repaired, or overhauled on or before March 31, 2008, 
onto any Turbomeca S.A. model Arriel 1E2, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft 
engine, unless the FCU 3-way union plug has passed the one time 
inspection and torque check required by this AD.

(g) Credit for Previous Actions

    If you performed the inspections and corrective actions required 
by this AD using the original issue or any version up to and 
including Version D of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 0817 before the 
effective date of this AD, you have met the requirements of 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 Rose Len, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
rose.len@faa.gov.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 05 59 74 40 00; fax: 
33 05 59 74 45 15. You may review copies of the referenced 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 July 5, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 2012-18050 Filed 7-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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