Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arriel 1 Series Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 191 (Monday, October 2, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58640-58641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24900]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NE-11-AD; Amendment 39-11912; AD 2000-20-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arriel 1 Series Turboshaft 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Turbomeca Arriel 1 series turboshaft engines. 
This action requires the installation of a chip detector with 
electronic warning on the rear bearing oil return system. This 
amendment is prompted by reports of gas generator rear bearing 
failures. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent gas 
generator rear bearing failure, which could lead to an uncommanded 
engine shutdown.

DATES: Effective October 17, 2000. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of October 17, 2000.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before December 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NE-11-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent 
via the Internet using the following address: ``[email protected].'' Comments sent via the Internet must contain the 
docket number in the subject line.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Turbomeca, 64511 Bordes Cedex, France; telephone: 33 59 12 50 00; fax: 
33 59 53 15 12. This information may be examined at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Rosa, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone: (781) 
238-7152; fax: (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), the airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that an unsafe condition may 
exist on certain Turbomeca Arriel 1 series turboshaft engines. The DGAC 
advises that it has received reports of gas generator rear bearing 
failure. There were 38 incidents of uncommanded in-flight engine 
shutdowns before August 1999; no fatalities were reported. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in an uncommanded engine 
shutdown.

Manufacturer's Service Information

    Turbomeca has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 292 72 0163, 
Revision 1, dated April 3, 1996, that specifies procedures for the 
installation of a chip detector with electronic warning on the rear 
bearing oil return system. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued AD 98-394(A) in order to ensure the airworthiness 
of these engines in France.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    This engine model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
21.29 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.

Requirements of this AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on engines of the same type design in the United 
States, this AD requires the installation of a chip detector with 
electronic warning on the rear bearing oil return system. The actions 
are required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin 
described previously.

Immediate Adoption

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

[[Page 58641]]

    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000- NE-11-AD.'' The postcard will be date-stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment. Accordingly, the FAA has not 
consulted with state authorities prior to publication of this proposed 
rule.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined 
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may 
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as 
follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000--20--01 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-11912. Docket 2000-NE-11-AD.

    Applicability: This AD is applicable to Turbomeca Arriel 1 A, -1 
A1, -1 A2, -1 B, -1 C, -1 C1, -1 C2, -1 D, -1 D1, -1 K, -1 K1, -1 S, 
and -1 S1 turboshaft engines.These engines are installed on, but not 
limited to, the following helicopters:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eurocopter AS 356 C.............  Eurocopter AS 365   Eurocopter AS 350
                                   C1.                 BA
Eurocopter AS 356 N2............  Eurocopter AS 350   Eurocopter AS 350
                                   B.                  B2N
Eurocopter AS 350 D.............  Eurocopter As 550   Augusta A109K2
                                   U2.
Sikorsky S76A...................  Sikorsky 76A+.....  Sikorsky 76A++
Sikorsky S76C...................  ..................
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    Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine 
identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of 
whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area 
subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been 
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the 
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with 
paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment 
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition 
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific 
proposed actions to address it.

Compliance

    Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent gas generator rear bearing failure, which could 
result in an uncommanded engine shutdown, do the following:

Required Action

    (a) Within 30 days from the effective date of this AD, install a 
chip detector with electronic warning on the rear bearing oil return 
system in accordance with Turbomeca Service Bulletin (SB) No. 292 72 
0163, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1996, paragraph 2, Instructions for 
incorporation.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office (ECO). 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, ECO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Manager, ECO.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions required by this AD shall be performed in 
accordance with Turbomeca Service Bulletin No. 292 72 0163, Revision 
1, dated April 3, 1996. This incorporation by reference was approved 
by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Turbomeca, 
64511 Bordes Cedex, France; telephone 33 59 12 50 00; fax 33 59 53 
15 12. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 17, 2000.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 21, 2000.
Mark C. Fulmer,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-24900 Filed 8-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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