AD 2009-01-11 Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arriel 2B and 2B1 Turboshaft Engines

This AD applies to Turbomeca Arriel 2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter France AS350B3 and EC130 B4 helicopters. Reason (d) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2008-0077, dated March 13, 2006 (and corrected May 6, 2008), states: ``Several cases of loss of internal components from the Hydro Mechanical Unit (HMU) low fuel pressure switch Hydra-Electric part number (P/N) 9 550 17 956 0 into the fuel system, have been reported on Arriel 2 engines. The loss of internal components from the low fuel pressure switch into the fuel system may lead to a rupture of the HP-LP pumps drive shaft shear pin, and thus to a possible uncommanded in-flight shutdown (IFSD). On a single-engine helicopter, an uncommanded IFSD results in an emergency autorotation landing and in certain conditions may lead to an accident. `We are issuing this AD to prevent forced autorotation landing, or an accident.' ''

Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) No later than September 30, 2009, perform a one-time inspection of the HMU, using paragraph 2 of Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 73 2826, dated March 13, 2008, to identify the low fuel pressure switch installed on the adjusted HMU. (2) If a Hydra-Electric low fuel pressure switch, part number (P/N) 9 550 17 956 0 is installed: (i) Inspect the low fuel pressure switch and chamber of the HMU body. (ii) If any parts from the low fuel pressure switch are missing or found in the HMU chamber, replace the HMU with a new or overhauled HMU equipped with a serviceable low fuel pressure switch. (iii) If not, replace only the low fuel pressure switch with a serviceable low fuel pressure switch. (3) If a low fuel pressure switch other than a Hydra-Electric low fuel pressure switch, P/N 9 550 17 956 0 is installed, and that is the only type of low fuel pressure switch that has been installed since new, repair, or overhaul, no further action is required. (4) If a Hydra-Electric switch, P/N 9 550 17 956 0, has been or may have been installed previously, and the conditions of paragraph (e)(3) of this AD are not met: (i) Inspect the chamber of the HMU body. (ii) If any parts are found in the HMU chamber, replace the HMU with a new or overhauled HMU equipped with a serviceable low fuel pressure switch. Definition (f) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable low fuel pressure switch is a switch that has a P/N other than P/N 9 550 17 956 0. FAA AD Difference (g) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) and/ or service information, by not referencing the P/Ns of the serviceable low fuel pressure switch, and, defining a serviceable low fuel pressure switch, for the purpose of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (h) 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. Related Information (i) Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2008-0077, dated April 28, 2008 (and corrected May 6, 2008), for related information. (j) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: james.lawrence@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 73 2826, dated March 13, 2008, to do the low fuel pressure switch installation inspection required by this AD. (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 (33) 05 59 74 40 00; fax (33) 05 59 74 45 15. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or 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 December 30, 2008. Peter A. White, Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-31396 Filed 1-22-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) No later than September 30, 2009, perform a one-time inspection of the HMU, using paragraph 2 of Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 73 2826, dated March 13, 2008, to identify the low fuel pressure switch installed on the adjusted HMU. (2) If a Hydra-Electric low fuel pressure switch, part number (P/N) 9 550 17 956 0 is installed: (i) Inspect the low fuel pressure switch and chamber of the HMU body. (ii) If any parts from the low fuel pressure switch are missing or found in the HMU chamber, replace the HMU with a new or overhauled HMU equipped with a serviceable low fuel pressure switch. (iii) If not, replace only the low fuel pressure switch with a serviceable low fuel pressure switch. (3) If a low fuel pressure switch other than a Hydra-Electric low fuel pressure switch, P/N 9 550 17 956 0 is installed, and that is the only type of low fuel pressure switch that has been installed since new, repair, or overhaul, no further action is required. (4) If a Hydra-Electric switch, P/N 9 550 17 956 0, has been or may have been installed previously, and the conditions of paragraph (e)(3) of this AD are not met: (i) Inspect the chamber of the HMU body. (ii) If any parts are found in the HMU chamber, replace the HMU with a new or overhauled HMU equipped with a serviceable low fuel pressure switch. Definition (f) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable low fuel pressure switch is a switch that has a P/N other than P/N 9 550 17 956 0. FAA AD Difference (g) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) and/ or service information, by not referencing the P/Ns of the serviceable low fuel pressure switch, and, defining a serviceable low fuel pressure switch, for the purpose of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (h) 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. Related Information (i) Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2008-0077, dated April 28, 2008 (and corrected May 6, 2008), for related information. (j) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: james.lawrence@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 73 2826, dated March 13, 2008, to do the low fuel pressure switch installation inspection required by this AD. (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 (33) 05 59 74 40 00; fax (33) 05 59 74 45 15. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or 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 December 30, 2008. Peter A. White, Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-31396 Filed 1-22-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P