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2007-03-20: LPG board of the ECU

FAA order 2007-03-20 is an airworthiness directive in force since March 19, 2007. The FAA's subject line: LPG board of the ECU. It names the Turbomeca (Safran) MAKILA 1A1 engine: about 8 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: engine.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product: Engine
Makes: Turbomeca S.A.
Models: Makila 1A, Makila 1A1
Engine series: Turbomeca (Safran) MAKILA 1A1 8 aircraft

Dates and paperwork

In force since: March 19, 2007
Published: February 12, 2007 (signed January 31, 2007)
Docket: FAA-2006-26570
Status: Current
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

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: The back-up mode can be activated by an electrostatic discharge or by a malfunction of the collective pitch signal. The two engines fitted on the same helicopter can therefore be frozen in this back- up position at 85% N1. Freezing both engines in the back-up mode can lead to an inability to continue safe flight and forced landing. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (3,979 characters)

2007-03-20 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-14931. Docket No. FAA-2006- 26570; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-39-AD. 

Effective Date 

	(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 19, 2007. 

Affected ADs 

	(b) None. 

Applicability 

	(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Makila 1A and 1A1 turboshaft engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma helicopters. 

Reason 

	(d) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2006-0070, dated March 30, 2006, states: 

	The control system of the engines covered by this Airworthiness Directive includes an electrical back-up mode at 85% N1 (gas generator speed) activated on the detection of certain occurrences affecting engine control. The activation of the back-up mode is irreversible and freezes the engine at 85% N1. 

	An analysis of reported occurrences in service showed that the back-up mode can be activated by an electrostatic discharge or by a malfunction of thecollective pitch signal. The two engines fitted on the same helicopter can therefore be frozen in this back-up position at 85% N1. 

	The present Airworthiness Directive therefore imposes the application of modification TU241 on the LPG board of the Makila 1A and 1A1 ECU, which reduces the aforementioned risk by changing the conditions in which the engines switch to and are maintained in the 85% NG back-up mode. 
	Freezing both engines in the back-up mode can lead to an inability to continue safe flight and forced landing. 

Actions and Compliance 

	(e) Unless already done, within 15 days after the effective date of this AD, apply the modification TU 241 by replacing the LPG board of the ECU using Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 298 73 0241, dated April 5, 2006. 

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, 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 (781) 238- 7175; fax (781) 238-7199; e-mail: christopher.spinney@faa.gov, for more information about this AD.

	(i) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2006-0070, dated March 30, 2006, and Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 298 73 0241, dated April 5, 2006, for related information. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

	(j) You must use Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 298 73 0241, dated April 5, 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 33 05 59 74 40 00, fax 33 05 59 74 45 15. 

	(3) You may review copies 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.

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 12, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2007-03-20.json · aircraft systems.