2008-19-11: Electronic control (EEC) unit

2008-19-11 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-15678; Docket No. FAA-2008- 0461; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-14-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 8, 2008. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 2B1, 2B1A, 2B2, and 2K1 turboshaft engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH EC135, and Agusta S.p.A. A109E helicopters. Reason (d) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2008-0018, dated January 24, 2008, states: A short circuit of some tantalum capacitors inside certain electronic control (EEC) units may lead to an in-flight shutdown on one of the two engines resulting from: --Direct activation of the overspeed electronic protection; --Non-direct activation of the electronic overspeed protection by lowering the threshold; --Spurious activation of the starting sequence; or --Loss of power control with no freeze of the fuel-metering valve. This AD requires identifying, and replacing or modifying affected EEC units that have tantalum capacitors installed that could have become brittle during their acceptance test. We are issuing this AD to prevent in-flight engine shutdowns and possible forced autorotation landing or accident. Actions and Compliance (e) Unless already done, within the next 100 flight hours or 2 months, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, do the following actions: (1) Identify the EEC units as listed in Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 319 73 2835, Update No. 1, dated December 21, 2006; and (2) For affected EECs, modify or replace the EEC units using the instructions of Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 319 73 2835, Update No. 1, dated December 21, 2006. (3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an EEC with a serial number listed in Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 319 73 2835, Update No. 1, dated December 21, 2006 on any helicopter, unless it has been modified using the instructions of Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 319 73 2835, Update No. 1, dated December 21, 2006. FAA AD Differences (f) This AD requires modification or replacement of both EECs if both EECs are affected on the same helicopter, whereas MCAI EASA AD 2008-0018, dated January 24, 2008, requires modification of at least one EEC, if both EECs are affected, and modification or replacement of the remaining EEC, within 300 flight hours or 12 months, whichever occurs first. (g) This AD immediately prohibits installation of any EECs that are affected, whereas MCAI EASA AD 2008-0018, dated January 24, 2008, prohibits installation of those EECs after February 7, 2009. (h) 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.Related Information (i) Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2008-0018, dated January 24, 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 S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 319 73 2835, Update No. 1, dated December 21, 2006, to do the actions required by this AD. (l) 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. (m) For service information identified in this AD, contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40 00, fax 33 05 59 74 45 15. (n) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 NewEngland 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.