81 FR 76885 - Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 214 (November 4, 2016)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-flight shutdown (IFSD) on a single-engine helicopter, caused by a low returning spring rate of the needle of the hydro-mechanical metering unit (HMU). This proposed AD would require removing any pre-modification (mod) TU 158 HMU and replacing with a part eligible for installation. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HMU, failure of the engine, IFSD, and loss of the helicopter.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 214 (Friday, November 4, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 76885-76886]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26335]



[[Page 76885]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-7850; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-16-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 all 
Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was 
prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-flight shutdown (IFSD) on a 
single-engine helicopter, caused by a low returning spring rate of the 
needle of the hydro-mechanical metering unit (HMU). This proposed AD 
would require removing any pre-modification (mod) TU 158 HMU and 
replacing with a part eligible for installation. We are proposing this 
AD to prevent failure of the HMU, failure of the engine, IFSD, and loss 
of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this NPRM by December 19, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     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) 05 59 74 40 00; fax: 
(33) 05 59 74 45 15. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
7850.

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-2016-
7850; 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: Kenneth Steeves, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7765; 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-2016-7850; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-16-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 2016-0098, dated May 23, 2016 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    Following a report of an un-commanded in-flight shut-down 
(IFSD), Turbomeca carried out an engineering investigation. This 
investigation concluded that the cause of the event was a low 
returning spring rate of the needle of the hydro-mechanical metering 
unit (HMU), which enabled needle oscillation during rapid engine 
deceleration.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to further cases of 
IFSD, possibly resulting in an emergency landing on single engine.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Turbomeca developed 
modification (Mod) TU 158, which increases needle return spring rate 
to prevent oscillation during rapid deceleration, thus preventing 
the risk of un-commanded IFSD. Turbomeca also published Mandatory 
Service Bulletin (MSB) 292 73 3158 for embodiment of this 
modification in service.

    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-2016-7850.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Turbomeca S.A. has issued MSB No. 292 73 3158, Version A, dated 
April 7, 2016. The MSB describes procedures for removing the pre-mod TU 
158 HMU and replacing with an HMU modified with mod TU 158. 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 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 AD would require removing the pre-mod TU 158 HMU and 
replacing with a part eligible for installation.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 124 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 
2.0 hours per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is 
$85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD 
on U.S. operators to be $21,080.

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,

[[Page 76886]]

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-2016-7850; Directorate Identifier 
2016-NE-16-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 19, 2016.

 (b) Affected ADs

    None.

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B turboshaft 
engines with a pre-modification (mod) TU 158 hydro-mechanical 
metering unit (HMU), installed.

 (d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-flight 
shutdown (IFSD) on a single engine helicopter caused by a low 
returning spring rate of the needle of the HMU. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the HMU, failure of the engine, IFSD and 
loss of the helicopter.

 (e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) For an engine in pre-mod TU 158 configuration, within 200 
engine hours, or within 5 months, whichever occurs first after the 
effective date of this AD, remove the pre-mod TU 158 HMU from 
service and replace with a part eligible for installation.
    (2) Reserved.

 (f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of the AD, do not install any pre-mod 
TU 158 HMU into any engine.

 (g) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an HMU eligible for installation is 
one that incorporates mod TU 158 in accordance with Turbomeca MSB 
No. 292 73 3158, Version A, dated April 7, 2016, or other FAA 
approved parts.

 (h) 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].

 (i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kenneth Steeves, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7765; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), AD 
2016-0098, dated May 23, 2016, 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-2016-7850.
    (3) Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB No. 292 73 3158, 
Version A, dated April 7, 2016, can be obtained from Turbomeca S.A., 
using the contact information in paragraph (i)(4) of this proposed 
AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: (33) 05 59 74 
40 00; fax: (33) 05 59 74 45 15.
    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 25, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-26335 Filed 11-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P