[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9868-9870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03673]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 35 / Friday, February 21, 2014 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 9868]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-23809; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-52-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 airworthiness directive (AD) 2007-10-
07, which applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B, 2B1, and 2B1A
turboshaft engines. AD 2007-10-07 currently requires an inspection of
the splines of the coupling assembly and the hydro-mechanical metering
unit (HMU) drive gear shaft for wear. This proposed AD would require
the same inspection and expand the affected population. This proposed
AD would also remove Arriel 2B1A engines from the applicability. We are
proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HMU drive gear shaft, which
could lead to damage to the engine and damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 22, 2014.
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 (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-2006-
23809; 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 mandatory continuing
airworthiness information, 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: Anthony W. Cerra Jr., Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781-238-7128; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
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-2006-
23809; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-52-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 May 4, 2007, we issued AD 2007-10-07, Amendment 39-15048 (72 FR
26711, May 11, 2007). AD 2007-10-07 applies to all Turbomeca Arriel
S.A. 2B, 2B1, and 2B1A turboshaft engines. AD 2007-10-07 requires an
initial inspection of the splines of the coupling assembly and the HMU
drive gear shaft for wear as well as an additional inspection every
time the HMU is removed. AD 2007-10-07 resulted from reports of in-
flight shutdown resulting from deterioration of the splines of the
coupling assembly and the HMU drive gear shaft. We issued AD 2007-10-07
to prevent failure of the HMU drive gear shaft, which could lead to
damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2007-10-07, Amendment 39-15048 (72 FR 26711, May
11, 2007), we received a report of HMU drive gear shaft spline wear on
Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2 engines. Also, since we issued AD 2007-10-07,
the European Aviation Safety Agency issued AD 2013-0170, dated July 30,
2013. AD 2013-0170 requires inspection of the coupling assembly splines
and the HMU drive gear shaft for wear. AD 2013-0170 also adds the
Arriel 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 engines to the list of affected
engines.
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 retain the requirements of AD 2007-10-07,
Amendment 39-15048 (72 FR 26711, May 11, 2007) except it would
eliminate the additional inspection when the HMU is compliant after the
500 hour inspection and the HMU assembly is unchanged. This proposed AD
would expand the applicability to include Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2C,
2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 engines, while removing Arriel 2B1A engines.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 470 engines
installed on aircraft of U.S. registry. We also estimate
[[Page 9869]]
that it would take about 2 hours per engine to comply with this
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. No parts are
required. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed
AD on U.S. operators to be $79,900.
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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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)
2007-10-07, Amendment 39-15048 (72 FR 26711, May 11, 2007), and adding
the following new AD:
Turbomeca S.A: Docket No. FAA-2006-23809; Directorate Identifier
2005-NE-52-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 22,
2014.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2007-10-07, Amendment 39-15048 (72 FR
26711, May 11, 2007).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1,
2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 turboshaft engines.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of an additional case of wear
of the hydro-mechanical metering unit (HMU) drive gear shaft splines
on both Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2 engines on a twin-engine helicopter.
We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HMU drive gear
shaft, 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) Arriel 2B and 2B1 Engines
(i) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has 500 or more
operating hours since new or since last overhaul, then within 25 HMU
operating hours from the effective date of this AD, inspect the
high-pressure (HP) pump drive gear shaft splines and coupling shaft
assembly splines. Use paragraph 2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A.
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 73 2812, Version G, dated
June 24, 2013, to do your inspection.
(ii) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has less than
500 operating hours since new or since last overhaul, then inspect
the HP pump drive gear shaft splines and coupling shaft assembly
splines between 500 and 525 operating hours since new or since last
overhaul. Use paragraph 2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73
2812, Version G, dated June 24, 2013, to do your inspection.
(2) Arriel 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 Engines
(i) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has 500 or more
operating hours since new, since last overhaul, or if HMU operating
hours are unknown, then within 200 HMU operating hours from the
effective date of this AD, inspect the HP pump drive gear shaft
splines and coupling shaft assembly splines. Use paragraph
2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 2822, Version F, dated
June 21, 2013, to do your inspection.
(ii) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has more than
300 but less than 500 operating hours since new or since last
overhaul, then within 225 HMU operating hours, but no earlier than
500 or later than 700 HMU operating hours from the effective date of
this AD, inspect the HP pump drive gear shaft splines and coupling
shaft assembly splines. Use paragraph 2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A.
MSB No. 292 73 2822 Version F, dated June 21, 2013, to do your
inspection.
(iii) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has 300
operating hours or less since new or since last overhaul, then
inspect the HP pump drive gear shaft splines and coupling shaft
assembly splines between 500 and 525 HMU operating hours since new
or since last overhaul. Use paragraph 2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A.
MSB No. 292 73 2822, Version F, dated June 21, 2013, to do your
inspection.
(f) Credit for Previous Actions
If, before the effective date of this AD, you inspected your HMU
after 500 HMU operating hours since new or since last overhaul using
an earlier version of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 2822, Version F,
dated June 21, 2013, for 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1 and 2S2 engines, or MSB
No. 292 73 2812, Version G, dated June 24, 2013, for 2B or 2B1
engines, you have met the requirements of this AD.
(g) Installation Prohibition
After the effective date of this AD, do not install any HMU onto
any engine, nor install any engine onto any helicopter with an HMU
affected by this AD, unless the HMU passed the inspection required
by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD for Arriel 2B and 2B1 engines or
paragraph (e)(2) of this AD for Arriel 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2
engines.
(h) 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.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Anthony W.
Cerra, Jr., Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA,
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7128; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2013-0170,
dated July 30, 2013, for related information. You may examine the
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2006-23809.
[[Page 9870]]
(3) Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 2822, Version F, dated June
21, 2013, and Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 2812, Version G, dated
June 24, 2013, pertain to the subject of this AD and can be obtained
from Turbomeca S.A. using the contact information in paragraph
(i)(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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 11, 2014.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-03673 Filed 2-20-14; 8:45 am]
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