[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 21 (Thursday, January 31, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6725-6726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02032]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 21 / Thursday, January 31, 2013 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 6725]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0940; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-26-AD;
Amendment 39-17321; AD 2013-01-07]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2D turboshaft engines. This AD was prompted by a
low fuel pressure event caused by deterioration and a loss of the low-
pressure drive function within the hydro-mechanical metering unit
(HMU). This AD requires replacing the HMU at a reduced life. We are
issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the
engine, and possible loss of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD becomes effective March 7, 2013.
ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email:
[email protected]; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on October 9, 2012 (77
FR 61303). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
states:
During an Arriel 2D endurance test, the illumination of the low
fuel pressure warning light was observed. The investigation of the
high pressure/low pressure (HP/LP) pump assembly within the hydro-
mechanical metering unit (HMU), removed following this occurrence,
revealed a deterioration and a loss of the LP pump drive function.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to an
uncommanded engine in-flight shut down.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 61303).
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD (77 FR 61303) as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will
affect about 27 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it
will take about 0.7 hour per engine to comply with this AD. The average
labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts will cost about $14,400 per
engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S.
operators to be $390,407.
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 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 this AD:
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); and
3. 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations office (phone: 800-647-5527) is provided in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
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 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
[[Page 6726]]
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 AD:
2013-01-07 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-17321; Docket No. FAA-2012-
0940; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-26-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 7,
2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2D turboshaft
engines.
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by a low fuel pressure event caused by a
deterioration and loss of the low-pressure drive function within the
hydro-mechanical metering unit (HMU). We are issuing this AD to
prevent an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the engine, and
possible loss of the helicopter.
(e) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, replace the HMU with an HMU eligible for
installation:
(1) Before the HMU exceeds 800 operating hours since new; or
(2) Within 800 operating hours since last replacement of the
low-pressure pump spindle wheel assembly, high-pressure pump
complete sleeve, bearings/pinions (matched assembly), and sleeve
assembly.
(f) 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 in
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (e) of this AD.
(g) 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.
(h) 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; email: [email protected]; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-
238-7199.
(2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD No. 2012-0141,
dated July 31, 2012, and Turbomeca S.A. Alert Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. A292 73 2847, Version A, dated May 29, 2012, for
related information.
(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.
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 11, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-02032 Filed 1-30-13; 8:45 am]
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