FAA orders · airworthiness directive · current

2010-09-13: Digital engine control units (DECUs)

FAA order 2010-09-13 is an airworthiness directive in force since May 17, 2010. The FAA's subject line: Digital engine control units (DECUs). It names the Turbomeca (Safran) MAKILA 2A engine: about 6 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 2A
Engine series: Turbomeca (Safran) MAKILA 2A 6 aircraft

Dates and paperwork

In force since: May 17, 2010
Published: April 30, 2010 (signed April 23, 2010)
Docket: FAA-2010-0411
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: Some digital engine control units (DECUs) used to control MAKILA 2A and MAKILA 2A1 engines have an ambient pressure (P0) sensor with a measurement accuracy that may be outside the range required for satisfactory functioning of the engines throughout the entire operating envelope. In certain extreme flight conditions, the lack of P0 measurement accuracy could potentially cause an engine flameout if the engine is operating on a replacement fuel. The issue is limited to a batch of 24 DECUs, of which 23 are known to be still in service. Since 01 January 2010, any such DECU returned to an approved repair centre has had its P0 sensor checked and replaced as necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown which could result in a forced autorotation landing or accident.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (3,423 characters)

2010-09-13 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-16278.; Docket No. FAA-2010-0411; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-19-AD. 

Effective Date 

	(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 17, 2010. 

Affected ADs 

	(b) None. 

Applicability 

	(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Makila 2A turboshaft engines with any of the following serial number (S/N) digital engine control units (DECUs) installed, if the DECU has not been returned to an approved repair center since January 1, 2010. 


S/N 93
S/N 165
S/N 193
S/N 234
S/N 115
S/N 167
S/N 201
S/N 242
S/N 138
S/N 171
S/N 215
S/N 296
S/N 149
S/N 174
S/N 216
S/N 303
S/N 151
S/N 176
S/N 218
S/N 308
S/N 156
S/N 189
S/N 231
--


	These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter France EC 225LP helicopters. 

Reason 

	(d) Some DECUs used to control MAKILA 2A and MAKILA 2A1 engines have an ambient pressure (P0) sensor with a measurement accuracy that may be outside the range required forsatisfactory functioning of the engines throughout the entire operating envelope. In certain extreme flight conditions, the lack of P0 measurement accuracy could potentially cause an engine flameout if the engine is operating on a replacement fuel. 
	The issue is limited to a batch of 24 DECUs, of which 23 are known to be still in service. Since 01 January 2010, any such DECU returned to an approved repair centre has had its P0 sensor checked and replaced as necessary. 

Actions and Compliance 

	(e) Unless already done, within 75 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, replace the S/N DECUs listed in applicability paragraph (c) of this AD: 
	(1) With a DECU having a S/N not listed in paragraph (c); or 
	(2) With a DECU having a S/N listed in paragraph (c), that has been returned to an approved repair center since January 1, 2010. 

FAA AD Differences 

	(f) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) and/or service information as follows: 
	(1) EASA AD 2010-0068-E (corrected), dated April 13, 2010, requires, for helicopters having two affected DECUs, that one of the DECUs be replaced before the next flight, and the other DECU be replaced within 75 flight hours after the effective date of the AD. 
	(2) This AD requires all affected DECUs be replaced within 75 flight hours after the effective date of this AD. 
	(3) Although EASA AD 2010-0068-E (corrected), dated April 13, 2010, also applies to the Makila 2A1 engine, this AD does not apply to that model because it has no U.S. type certificate. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCS) 

	(g) 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 

	(h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010-0068-E (corrected), dated April 13, 2010, and Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin No. A298 73 2815, Version A, dated March 18, 2010, for related information. Contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40 00, fax 33 05 59 74 45 15, for a copy of this service information. 
	(i) Contact Kevin Dickert, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7117; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

	(j) None.

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 23, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2010-09-13.json · aircraft systems.