Document ID: FAA-2014-0219-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines
Posted Date: 2014-05-12T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 91 (Monday, May 12, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26905-26906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10782]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0219; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-04-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 
certain Turbomeca S.A. Makila 2A and Makila 2A1 turboshaft engines. 
This proposed AD was prompted by failure of two high-pressure (HP) fuel 
pumps that resulted in engine in-flight shutdowns. This proposed AD 
would require initial and repetitive visual inspections, and 
replacement of the splines of the HP fuel pump/metering valve and the 
module M01 drive gear, if necessary. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent failure of the HP fuel pump, which could lead to an in-flight 
shutdown, damage to the engine, and forced landing or accident.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 11, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     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; 
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-2014-
0219; 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: James E. Gray, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-
7742; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: James.E.Gray@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-2014-0219; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-04-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 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 
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2014-0059, dated March 10, 2014 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    Two uncommanded in-flight shutdowns on Makila 2A/2A1 engines 
have been reported. The results of the technical investigations 
concluded that these events were caused by deterioration of the 
splines on the high-pressure (HP) fuel pump drive link, which 
eventually interrupted the fuel supply to the engine.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
further cases of uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown, and may 
ultimately lead to an emergency landing.

    We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HP fuel pump, 
which could lead to an in-flight shutdown, damage to the engine, and 
forced landing or accident.
    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-2014-0219.

Relevant Service Information

    Turbomeca S.A. has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 298 
73 2818, Version F, dated March 5, 2014. The MSB describes procedures 
for cleaning and visually inspecting the splines of the HP fuel pump/
metering valve and the module M01 drive gear for wear, corrosion, 
scaling, pitting, and chafing.

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 and service information 
referenced above. We are proposing this AD 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 proposed AD would require initial and repetitive visual 
inspections, and replacement of the splines of the HP fuel pump/
metering valve and the module M01 drive gear, if necessary.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 8 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 
2 hours per engine to

[[Page 26906]]

comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. 
Required parts cost about $750 per engine. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $1,360.

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 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-2014-0219; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NE-04-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 11, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Makila 2A and Makila 2A1 
turboshaft engines with a high-pressure (HP) fuel pump, part number 
(P/N) 0 298 91 806 0 or P/N 0 298 91 805 0, installed, that have not 
incorporated Turbomeca modification TU 59.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by failure of two HP fuel pumps that 
resulted in engine in-flight shutdowns. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent failure of the HP fuel pump, which could lead to an in-
flight shutdown, damage to the engine, and forced landing or 
accident.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Within 25 flight hours (FH) or 6 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs earlier, clean and visually 
inspect the splines of the HP fuel pump/metering valve and the 
module M01 drive gear for wear, corrosion, scaling, pitting, and 
chafing.
    (2) Thereafter, reinspect every 100 FH since-last-inspection.
    (3) If the HP fuel pump/metering valve or the module M01 drive 
gear fail the inspection required by this AD, replace it with a part 
eligible for installation before further flight.
    (4) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any HP 
fuel pump, HP fuel pump drive shaft, module 01 drive gear, or module 
M01 77-tooth gear onto any engine, or install any engine onto any 
helicopter, unless the HP fuel pump/metering valve and the module 
M01 drive gear passed the inspection required by paragraph (e) of 
this AD.

(f) 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.

(g) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact James E. Gray, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: (781) 238-7742; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: 
James.E.Gray@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0059, 
dated March 10, 2014, 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-2014-0219.
    (3) Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 298 73 2818, 
Version F, dated March 5, 2014, pertains to the subject of this AD 
and can be obtained from Turbomeca S.A., using the contact 
information in paragraph (g)(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 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 May 6, 2014.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-10782 Filed 5-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P