Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Artouste III Series Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 250 (Friday, December 30, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77310-77312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24515]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD; Amendment 39-14434; AD 2005-26-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Artouste III Series 
Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) for Turbomeca Artouste III series turboshaft engines. That AD 
currently requires smoke emission checks after every ground engine 
shutdown, and if necessary, additional checks and possibly removing the 
engine from service. That action also requires inspection of central 
labyrinths not previously inspected, or not replaced after the engine 
logged 1,500 operating hours, and, replacement if necessary. That 
action also requires the removal of injection wheels at a new lower 
life limit. This AD includes the same requirements as AD 2002-22-11, 
but reduces the compliance time for the initial inspection of the 
central labyrinth and adds repetitive inspections of the central 
labyrinth. This AD results from reports and analyses of in-flight 
engine shutdowns occurring since we issued AD 2002-22-11. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent injection wheel cracks and excessive central 
labyrinth wear, which could result in an in-flight engine shutdown and 
possible loss of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 3, 2006. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of February 3, 2006. The 
Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation 
by reference of a certain other publication as listed in the 
regulations as of December 13, 2002 (67 FR 68022, November 8, 2002).

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40 00, 
fax 33 05 59 74 45 15.
    You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA. You may examine the service information, at the FAA, 
New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with a 
proposed airworthiness directive (AD). The proposed AD applies to 
Turbomeca Artouste III series turboshaft engines. We published the 
proposed AD in the Federal Register on June 23, 2005 (70 FR 36355). 
That action proposed to require smoke emission checks after every 
ground engine shutdown, and if necessary, additional checks and 
possibly removing the engine from service. That action also proposed to 
require initial inspection of central labyrinths not previously 
inspected at reduced compliance times, or not replaced after the engine 
logged 1,500 operating hours, and, replacement if necessary. That 
action also proposed to add repetitive inspections of the central 
labyrinth. Additionally, that action proposed to require the removal of 
the injection wheels at a new lower life limit.

[[Page 77311]]

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service 
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the 
location.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on 
the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    About 1,062 Turbomeca Artouste III engines of the affected design 
are in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 59 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD. We also 
estimate that it will take about 31 work hours per engine to perform 
the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost about $8,100 per engine. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the AD will cost U.S. operators $596,785.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 
39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-12937 (67 FR 
68022, November 8, 2002) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
to read as follows:

2005-26-13 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-14434. Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective February 3, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-22-11, Amendment 39-12937.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Artouste III B, B1, and D 
series turboshaft engines with injection wheels part numbers (P/Ns) 
218.25.700.0, 218.25.704.0, 243.25.709.0, 243.25.713.0, 
0.218.27.705.0, 0.218.27.709.0, and 0.218.27.713.0. These engines 
are installed on, but not limited to Eurocopter SA 315 LAMA and SA 
316 Alouette III helicopters.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports and analyses of in-flight 
engine shutdowns occurring since we issued AD 2002-22-11. The 
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent injection wheel 
cracks and excessive central labyrinth wear, which could result in 
an in-flight engine shutdown and possible loss of the helicopter.

Compliance

    (e) Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, unless 
already done.

Smoke Check

    (f) Following every engine ground shutdown, do the following 
using 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.
    (g) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable engine is defined 
as an engine that does not exhibit smoke emissions.

Central Labyrinth Inspection

    (h) Perform checks and inspections of the central labyrinth and, 
if necessary, replace the central labyrinth, using paragraph 2 of 
Turbomeca Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A218 72 0100, Update 2, 
dated January 23, 2004, and the following Table 1:

                      Table 1.--Inspection Schedule
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Initial inspection                 Repetitive  inspection
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Prior to 1,750 hours Time-Since-New or      1,750 hours TSLI.
 1,750 hours Time-Since-Last Inspection
 (TSLI), or 50 hours from the effective
 date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

[[Page 77312]]

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) The checks, inspections, and replacements must be done in 
accordance with the following Turbomeca Artouste III alert service 
bulletins (ASBs):

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               Document No.                          Pages             Revision                Date
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ASB A218 72 0099.........................  All.....................            1  June 6, 2001.
  Total pages: 5
ASB A218 72 0100.........................  All.....................            2  Jan. 23, 2004.
  Total pages: 17
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    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation 
by reference of Alert Service Bulletin No. A218 72 0100, Update 2, 
dated January 23, 2004, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of Turbomeca Alert Service Bulletin No. 
A218 72 0099, Update 1, dated June 6, 2001, as of December 13, 2002 
(67 FR 68022, November 8, 2002). You can get a copy from Turbomeca 
S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40 00, fax 33 05 
59 74 45 15. You can review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 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.

Related Information

    (k) DGAC airworthiness directive F-2004-016, dated February 4, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 15, 2005.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-24515 Filed 12-29-05; 8:45 am]
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