Document ID: FAA-2007-27009-0017
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines
Posted Date: 2014-04-10T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 69 (Thursday, April 10, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19812-19814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08008]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27009; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-02-AD; 
Amendment 39-17820; AD 2014-07-06]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2007-19-09R1 
for all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B1 turboshaft engines that do not have 
modification TU157 incorporated. AD 2007-19-09R1 required replacement 
of the hydromechanical metering unit (HMU) with a serviceable HMU. This 
AD requires HMU replacement; reduction of the compliance interval; and 
inclusion of the power turbine C2 cycle consumption rate when 
determining compliance times. This AD was prompted by reports of 
ruptures on HMU constant delta pressure valves that have less than 
2,000 hours in service. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the HMU, which could lead to damage to the engine, and damage to the 
aircraft.

DATES: This AD is effective May 15, 2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Turbomeca, S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 5 59 74 40 00; telex: 
570 042; fax: 33 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-2007-
27009; 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 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 Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James 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: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2007-19-09R1, Amendment 39-16322 (75 FR 30687, 
June 2, 2010), (``AD 2007-19-09R1''). AD 2007-19-09R1 applied to the 
specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
December 24, 2013 (78 FR 77614). The

[[Page 19813]]

NPRM proposed to continue to require HMU replacement. That NPRM also 
proposed to require reduction of the compliance interval; and inclusion 
of the power turbine C2 cycle consumption rate when determining 
compliance times.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 77614, December 24, 
2013).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 264 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about one hour per 
engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. 
Required parts cost about $5,000 per engine. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of this AD to U.S. operators is $1,342,440.

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (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) 
2007-19-09R1, Amendment 39-16322 (75 FR 30687, June 2, 2010), and 
adding the following new AD:

2014-07-06 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-17820; Docket No. FAA-2007-
27009; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-02-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 15, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2007-19-09R1, Amendment 39-16322 (75 FR 
30687, June 2, 2010).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B1 turboshaft engines 
that do not have modification TU157 incorporated.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of ruptures on hydromechanical 
metering unit (HMU) constant delta pressure valves that have less 
than 2,000 hours in service. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the HMU, 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) HMU operating hours and power turbine C2 cycles are known:
    (i) If on the effective date of this AD, the HMU C2 cycles are 
less than 900, then replace the HMU before the HMU accumulates 1,000 
C2 cycles or 1,500 HMU operating hours, whichever occurs first;
    (ii) If on the effective date of this AD, the HMU C2 cycles are 
900 or more, then replace the HMU within 100 HMU C2 cycles after the 
effective date of this AD;
    (iii) Thereafter, replace the HMU at every 1,000 HMU C2 cycles 
or 1,500 HMU operating hours, whichever comes first.
    (2) HMU operating hours are known and C2 cycles are not known:
    (i) If on the effective date of this AD, the HMU operating hours 
are less than 1,100, then replace the HMU before accumulating 1,200 
HMU operating hours;
    (ii) If on the effective date of this AD, the HMU operating 
hours are 1,100 or more, then replace the HMU within 100 HMU 
operating hours after the effective date of this AD;
    (iii) Thereafter, replace the HMU at every 1,200 HMU operating 
hours.

(f) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, HMU operating hours or C2 cycles are 
defined as operating hours or C2 cycles since new, since overhaul, 
or since incorporation of Turbomeca S.A. Service Bulletin (SB) No. 
292 73 2105, Version B, dated December 16, 2010, or earlier version, 
or Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory SB (MSB) No. 292 73 2818, Version D, 
dated June 24, 2013, or earlier version.

(g) Optional Terminating Action

    Incorporation of Turbomeca S.A. SB No. 292 73 2157, Version C, 
dated July 17, 2013, or earlier version, is terminating action to 
the replacement and repetitive inspection requirements of this AD.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    If you performed the actions required by paragraphs (e)(1) or 
(e)(2) of this AD using an earlier version of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 
292 73 2818, Version D, dated June 24, 2013, you met the 
requirements of this AD. However, you must still repetitively 
replace the HMU as required by paragraphs (e)(1)(iii) and 
(e)(2)(iii) of this AD.

(i) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact James 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 2013-0171, 
dated July 30, 2013. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-
2007-27009-0015.
    (3) Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 2818, Version D, dated June 
24, 2013, Turbomeca S.A. SB No. 292 73 2157, Version C, dated July 
17, 2013, and Turbomeca S.A. SB No.

[[Page 19814]]

292 73 2105, Version B, dated December 16, 2010, which are not 
incorporated by reference in this AD, can be obtained from Turbomeca 
S.A. using the contact information in paragraph (j)(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.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 2, 2014.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-08008 Filed 4-9-14; 8:45 am]
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