[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 15, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13753-13755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05236]
[[Page 13753]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-0115; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-04-AD;
Amendment 39-18824; AD 2017-04-51]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A.,
Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D,
1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. Emergency AD 2017-04-51
was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these
engines. This AD requires inspecting, wrapping, and replacing the
affected drain valve assembly (DV) installed on these Arriel 1 engines.
This AD was prompted by reports of fuel leaks originating from the DV
on certain Arriel engines. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 30, 2017 to all persons except those
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2017-
04-51, issued on February 8, 2017, which contained the requirements of
this amendment.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication identified in this AD as of March
30, 2017.
We must receive comments on this AD by May 1, 2017.
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 Safran
Helicopter Engines, S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: (33) 05 59 74 40
00; fax: (33) 05 59 74 45 15.
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-2017-
0115; 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On February 8, 2017, we issued Emergency AD 2017-04-51, which
requires inspecting, wrapping, and replacing the DV. This emergency AD
was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these
Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D,
1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. This action was prompted
by reports of fuel leaks originating from the DV on certain Arriel
engines. This condition, if not corrected, could result in engine
compartment fire, in-flight shutdown, and damage to the helicopter.
Relevant Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Safran Helicopter Engines Alert Mandatory Service
Bulletin A292 73 0851, Version A, dated January 31, 2017. The MSB
describes procedures for inspecting, wrapping, and replacing the DV.
This service information is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
We are issuing 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.
AD Requirements
This AD requires inspecting, wrapping, and replacing the DV.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the
compliance requirements are within 10 flight hours or 7 days.
Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior public comment
are impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2017-0115 and
Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-04-AD at the beginning of your comments.
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this 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 AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 70 engines installed on
helicopters of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 13754]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspecting, wrapping, and replacing 4.5 work-hours x $85 $7,805 $8,187.50 $573,125
the DV. per hour = $382.50.
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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 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):
2017-04-51 Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A.: Amendment 39-18824;
Docket No. FAA-2017-0115; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-04-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective March 30, 2017 to all persons except those
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD
2017-04-51, issued on February 8, 2017, which contained the
requirements of this amendment.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., Arriel
1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1
turboshaft engines equipped with a drain valve assembly (DV) with a
part number and a serial number listed in Appendix 5.1 in Safran
Helicopter Engines Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) A292 73
0851, Version A, dated January 31, 2017.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7321, Fuel Control/
Turbine Engines.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of fuel leaks originating from
the DV on certain Arriel engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent
an engine compartment fire, in-flight shutdown, and damage to the
helicopter.
(f) Compliance
(1) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(2) Within 10 flight hours or 7 days, whichever occurs first,
after the effective date of this AD:
(i) Replace the affected DV with a DV eligible for installation.
Use the Accomplishment Instructions, Paragraph 2, of Safran
Helicopter Engines Alert MSB A292 73 0851, Version A, dated January
31, 2017, to do the replacement; or
(ii) Visually inspect the affected DV for fuel leakage.
(A) If a fuel leak is detected, replace the affected DV with a
DV eligible for installation, before the next flight.
(B) If no fuel leak is detected, before next flight, wrap the
affected DV with a self-amalgamate tape using the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraph 2, of Safran Helicopter Engines Alert MSB
A292 73 0851, Version A, dated January 31, 2017.
(C) After wrapping an affected DV, as specified in paragraph
(f)(2)(ii)(B) of this AD, inspect the DV for fuel leakage before
each first flight of the day. If a fuel leak is detected, replace
the affected DV with a DV eligible for installation, before the next
flight.
(D) After wrapping an affected DV, as specified in paragraph
(f)(2)(ii)(B) of this AD, inspect the DV wrapping before each first
flight of the day. If the wrapping is found defective (loose,
missing, or damaged), before the next flight, remove the wrap and
re-wrap the affected DV using the Accomplishment Instructions,
paragraph 2, of Safran Helicopter Engines Alert MSB A292 73 0851,
Version A, dated January 31, 2017.
(E) For an engine on which the affected DV was wrapped, within
180 days after the first wrapping of the affected DV as specified in
paragraph (f)(2)(ii)(B) of this AD, replace the affected DV with a
DV eligible for installation.
(g) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD, a DV eligible for installation is:
(1) a DV that is not affected by this AD; or
(2) a DV in which the diaphragm has been replaced in accordance
with the instructions in paragraph 4 of Safran Helicopter Engines
Alert MSB A292 73 0851, Version A, dated January 31, 2017.
(h) Terminating Action
Replacement of an affected DV installed on an engine, with a DV
eligible for installation constitutes terminating action for the
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(i) 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. You may email your request to: [email protected].
(j) Related Information
(1) For further information about this AD, contact: Robert
Green, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine
& Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Emergency AD
No. 2017-0019-E, dated February 3, 2017, for more information.
[[Page 13755]]
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Safran Helicopter Engines Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin
A292 73 0851, Version A, dated January 31, 2017.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Safran Helicopter Engines service information identified
in this AD, contact Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., 40220 Tarnos,
France; phone: (33) 05 59 74 40 00; fax: (33) 05 59 74 45 15.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
781-238-7125.
(5) You may view this service information at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to:
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 8, 2017.
Carlos A. Pestana,
Acting Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-05236 Filed 3-14-17; 8:45 am]
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