AD 2013-22-22

This AD is effective December 20, 2013.

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.

Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199; email: frederick.zink@faa.gov.

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2013-01-07, Amendment 39-17321 (78 FR 6725, January 31, 2013), (“AD 2013-01-07”). AD 2013-01-07 applied to the specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 7, 2013 (78 FR 34284). The NPRM proposed to continue to require replacing the HMU at a reduced life. The NPRM also proposed to require inspections of the HMU.

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 34284, June 7, 2013).

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for the following editorial changes. We changed paragraphs (e)(1)(iv) and (e)(2)(iv).

Paragraph (e)(1)(iv) now reads, “Guidance on replacing the complete sleeve and inspecting the complete sleeve female splines, and HP and LP male splines, can be found in Turbomeca Technical Instruction No. 292 73 2847.”

Paragraph (e)(2)(iv) now reads, “Guidance for completing the requirements of paragraph (e)(2) can be found in Turbomeca S.A. Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A292 73 2847.”

We changed paragraph (f) to provide credit for initial replacements specified in paragraph (e) of this AD.

We have determined that these minor changes:

• Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 32484, June 7, 2013) for correcting the unsafe condition; and

• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 32484, June 7, 2013).

We estimate that this AD affects 56 Arriel 2D turboshaft engines installed on helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about two hours per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost about $14,400 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of this AD to U.S. operators is $815,920.

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.

We have 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 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.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

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

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-01-07, Amendment 39-17321 (78 FR 6725, January 31, 2013), and adding the following new AD: