E6-22272. Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Model Arrius 2B1, 2B1A, and 2B2 Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

A simultaneous interruption of the lubrication on both engines may lead to a double non-commanded in-flight shutdown.

The condition described in the MCAI can lead to a forced autorotation landing or an accident. This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective January 18, 2007. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain service bulletins, listed in the AD as of January 18, 2007. We must receive comments on this AD by February 2, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

You may send comments by any of the following methods:

• DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; 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 regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone [phone]) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Christopher Spinney, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.

This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language principles.

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the aviation authority for European Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2006-0142, dated May 29, 2006 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Investigations of incidents which occurred on ARRIUS 2 turboshaft engines have revealed the interruption of engine lubrication further [due] to oil passage blockage within the lubrication unit check valve. This blockage comes from the excessive swelling of the check valve piston o-ring. The level of swelling of the o-ring depends on the class of the oil used (Standard (STD) or High-Thermal Stability (HTS)) and the engine operating time. This phenomenon only affects ARRIUS 2 engines which do not embody modification Tu122 (i.e.: check-valve piston without o-ring). A simultaneous interruption of the lubrication on both engines may lead to a double non-commanded in-flight shutdown. The oil usually being the same on both engines, available data put into evidence that this risk has to be considered and that measures to restore the level of safety have to be imposed on ARRIUS 2 engines without modification Tu122 embodied.

The condition described in the MCAI can lead to a forced autorotation landing or an accident. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

Turbomeca has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin A319 79 2832, Update 1, dated April 3, 2006. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the information provided by the State of Design Authority and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between the AD and the MCAI or Service Information

We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information.

We might also have required different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These requirements take precedence over the actions copied from the MCAI.

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 time required to correct the unsafe condition, as low as 50 hours in service, is shorter than the time required to collect and respond to comments. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2006-26138; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-38-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://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this AD.

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.

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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2006-26-07 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-14865; Docket No. FAA-2006-26138; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-38-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 18, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Model Arrius 2B1, 2B1A, and 2B2 turboshaft engines that do not embody modification TU122. These engines are used on, but not limited to Eurocopter EC135 T1 and T2 helicopters.

Reason

(d) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, 2006-0142, dated May 29, 2006 states:

Investigations of incidents which occurred on ARRIUS 2 turboshaft engines have revealed the interruption of engine lubrication further [due] to oil passage blockage within the lubrication unit check valve. This blockage comes from the excessive swelling of the check valve piston o-ring. The level of swelling of the o-ring depends on the class of the oil used (Standard (STD) or High-Thermal Stability (HTS)) and the engine operating time. This phenomenon only affects ARRIUS 2 engines which do not embody modification Tu122 (i.e.: check-valve piston without o-ring). A simultaneous interruption of the lubrication on both engines may lead to a double non-commanded in-flight shutdown. The oil usually being the same on both engines, available data put into evidence that this risk has to be considered and that measures to restore the level of safety have to be imposed on ARRIUS 2 engines without modification Tu122 embodied.

The condition described in the EASA AD can lead to a forced autorotation landing or an accident.

Actions and Compliance

(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.

(1) Replace the check-valve piston o-ring according to paragraph 2 of Turbomeca Alert Service Bulletin No A319 79 2832, Update 1, dated April 3, 2006, within the next 50 operating hours when the number of operating hours is greater than:

(i) 300 hours for engines operating with HTS-class oil and engines for which the history of the oils used is not available or engines which used to operate with HTS-class oil and which no longer do so.

(ii) 450 hours for engines operating with STD class-oil since their introduction into service.

(2) Repeat operation of paragraph (1):

(i) Every 300 hours for engines operating with HTS-class oil and engines for which the history of the oils used is not available or engines which used to operate with HTS-class oil and which no longer do so.

(ii) Every 500 hours for engines operating with STD class-oil since their introduction into service.

FAA AD Differences

(f) None.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

(h) Contact Christopher Spinney, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone [phone]; fax [phone] for more information about this AD.

(i) Refer to the EASA Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Airworthiness Directive 2006-0142, dated May 29, 2006, and Turbomeca Service Bulletin A319 79 2122, dated March 14, 2006, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(j) You must use Turbomeca Alert Service Bulletin A319 79 2832, Update 1, dated April 3, 2006, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; Telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

(3) You may review copies at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call [phone], or go to: http://www.archives.gov/​/federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 21, 2006.

Peter A. White,

Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.