Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Artouste III Series Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 11, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19300-19302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7762]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD; Amendment 39-11653; AD 2000-06-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Artouste III Series 
Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Turbomeca Artouste III series turboshaft engines, that 
requires smoke emissions checks after every ground engine shutdown. If 
smoke is detected, this AD would require inspecting for fuel flow. If 
fuel flow is not detected, the engine may have injection wheel cracks, 
which would require removing the engine from service for repair. If 
fuel flow is detected, the engine may have a malfunctioning electric 
fuel cock, which would require removing the electric fuel cock from 
service and replacing it with a serviceable part. This action is 
prompted by reports of cracked injection wheels. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent injection wheel cracks, which could 
result in an in-flight engine shutdown.

DATES: Effective June 12, 2000. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications in this rule is approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register as of June 12, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in the rule may be 
obtained from Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone (33) 05 59 64 
40 00, fax (33) 05 59 64 60 80. This information may be examined at the 
FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glorianne Niebuhr, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 
238-7132, fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Turbomeca Turboshaft Artouste III 
series turboshaft engines was published in the Federal Register 
December 8, 1999 (64 FR 68644). That action proposed to require

[[Page 19301]]

smoke emissions checks after every ground engine shutdown. If smoke is 
detected, that action would require inspecting for fuel flow. If fuel 
flow is not detected, the engine may have injection wheel cracks, which 
would require removing the engine from service for repair. If fuel flow 
is detected, the engine may have a malfunctioning electric fuel cock, 
which would require removing the electric fuel cock from service and 
replacing it with a serviceable part. That action was prompted by 
reports of cracked injection wheels. That condition, if not corrected, 
could result in an in-flight engine shutdown.

Comments Received

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 2,279 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 184 engines installed on 
rotorcraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this AD, that it would 
take approximately 1 work hour per engine to accomplish the actions, 
and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts 
would cost approximately $3,500 per engine. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$655,040.

Regulatory Impact

    This rule does not have federalism implications, as defined in 
Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication 
of this rule.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) Is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a 
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects 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 
the Federal Aviation 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

2000-06-12  Turbomeca: Amendment 39-11653. Docket 99-NE-33-AD.

    Applicability: Turbomeca Artouste III B-B1-D series turboshaft 
engines, installed on but not limited to Eurocopter SA 315 LAMA and 
SA 316 Alouette III helicopters.

    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 (c) 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 injection wheel cracks, which could result in 
an in-flight engine shutdown, accomplish the following:

Smoke Check

    (a) Following every engine ground shutdown, accomplish the 
following in accordance with Turbomeca Artouste III Service Bulletin 
(SB) No. 218 72 0099, dated September 14, 1998:
    (1) After every flight, check for smoke emissions through the 
exhaust pipe, air intake, or turbine casing drain during rundown and 
after every engine shutdown. If a smoke emission has been noticed, 
check the fuel system before the next flight to identify the origin 
of the smoke emissions.
    (2) If smoke is not detected, no action is required until the 
next engine ground shutdown.
    (3) If smoke is detected, inspect for fuel flow in accordance 
with paragraph 2.B.(1) and 2.B.(2) of the referenced SB.
    (i) If fuel flow is not detected, prior to further flight, 
remove the engine from service and replace with a serviceable 
engine.
    (ii) If fuel flow is detected, remove the electric fuel cock 
from service and replace with a serviceable part in accordance with 
section 2.B.(4) and 2.B.(5) of the referenced SB .
    (iii) Before entry into service, perform an engine ground run 
and check the fuel system again for smoke emissions through the 
exhaust pipe, air intake, or turbine casing drain during engine 
rundown and after shut-down; if smoke emissions still remain after 
replacement of the electric fuel cock, prior to further flight, 
remove the engine from service and replace with a serviceable 
engine.
    (b) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable engine is defined 
as an engine that does not exhibit smoke emissions.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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. 
Operators shall submit their request through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office.

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

Ferry Flights

    (d) 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 rotorcraft to a location where the 
inspection requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with Turbomeca Artouste III Service Bulletin (SB) No. 218 72 0099, 
dated September 14, 1998. 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, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone (33) 05 59 64 40 00, fax 
(33) 05 59 64 60 80. 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on June 12, 2000.


[[Page 19302]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 21, 2000.
David A. Downey,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-7762 Filed 4-10-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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