Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 19, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58002-58003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22536]



[[Page 58002]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0115; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-40-AD; 
Amendment 39-17195; AD 2012-18-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines. That 
AD currently requires accomplishment of the TU166 modification. This 
new AD requires adding the Arriel 2S2 and 2C2 engines to the 
applicability of engines requiring the TU166 modification with 
different compliance times. This AD was prompted by reports of an 
accident involving a twin-engine helicopter powered by two Arriel 2S2 
engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent rupture of a gas generator 
(GG) turbine blade, which could result in an uncommanded in-flight 
shutdown and a forced landing or accident.

DATES: This AD is effective October 24, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of October 24, 
2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of August 
12, 2011 (76 FR 40222, July 8, 2011).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74 40 00; telex: 570 
042; fax: 33 (0)5 59 74 45 15. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rose Len, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 
781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2011-13-05, Amendment 39-16728 (76 FR 40222, 
July 8, 2011). That AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B and 2B1 
turboshaft engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 
1, 2012 (77 FR 32437). That NPRM proposed to continue to require 
accomplishment of the TU166 modification on Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B 
and 2B1 turboshaft engines. That NPRM also proposed to require adding 
the Arriel 2S2 engine to the applicability of engines requiring the 
TU166 modification with a different compliance time.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Add the Arriel 2C2 Engine Model

    Turbomeca S.A. requested that we add the Arriel 2C2 engine model to 
the proposed AD applicability. The commenter referenced European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2012-0124, dated July 9, 2012, issued 
to include the Arriel 2C2 engine model requiring the TU166 
modification.
    We agree. We added the Arriel 2C2 engine model to the AD 
applicability.

Request To Reduce Compliance Time

    Sikorsky requested that we reduce the proposed AD compliance time 
for Arriel 2S2 engine models to within 100-cycles-in-service (CIS), 
instead of 500 CIS, and, add a calendar time limitation of ``but not 
later than September 30, 2012,'' based on the EASA AD having a 
compliance date of November 16, 2012. The commenter believes that the 
frequency of occurrence of the blade ruptures, when the risk is 
analyzed per the FAA Advisory Circular 39-8, targeting a reasonable 
risk, argues for an earlier TU166 modification.
    We do not agree. The risk analyzed by Sikorsky had inputs that were 
too conservative. We did not change the AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD with the changes described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will 
affect about 551 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it 
will take about 60 work-hours per product to comply with this AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about 
$3,900 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the 
AD on U.S. operators to be $4,959,000.

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),

[[Page 58003]]

    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

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 FAA 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 airworthiness directive (AD) 
2011-13-05, Amendment 39-16728 (76 FR 40222, July 8, 2011), and adding 
the following new AD:

2012-18-18 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-17195; Docket No. FAA-2011-
0115; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-40-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 24, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2011-13-05, Amendment 39-16728 (76 FR 
40222, July 8, 2011).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B, 2B1, 2S2, and 2C2 
turboshaft engines not modified by TU166 modification.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of an accident involving a twin-
engine helicopter powered by two Arriel 2S2 engines. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent rupture of a gas generator (GG) turbine blade, 
which could result in an uncommanded in-flight shutdown and a forced 
landing or accident.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) For Arriel 2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines, accomplish the 
TU166 modification in accordance with the instructions specified 
within Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A292 72 
3166 Version B, dated September 20, 2010, when the GG Turbine is 
replaced or when the engine or Module M03 is going through overhaul 
or repair, or within 676 cycles-in-service (CIS) after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    (2) For Arriel 2S2 turboshaft engines, accomplish the TU166 
modification in accordance with the instructions specified within 
Turbomeca Alert MSB No. A292 72 4166 Version A, dated March 23, 
2012, when the GG Turbine is replaced or when the engine or Module 
M03 is going through overhaul or repair, or within 500 CIS after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    (3) For Arriel 2C2 turboshaft engines, accomplish the TU166 
modification in accordance with the instructions specified within 
Turbomeca Alert MSB No. A292 72 5166 Version A, dated June 18, 2012, 
when the GG Turbine is replaced or when the engine or Module M03 is 
going through overhaul or repair or within 650 engine hours after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

(f) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    (1) For Arriel 2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines, if you performed 
the TU166 modification before the effective date of this AD using 
Turbomeca Alert MSB No. A292 72 3166 Version A, dated August 17, 
2010, you met the requirements of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.
    (2) For Arriel 2C2 and 2S2 turboshaft engines, if you performed 
the TU166 modification before the effective date of this AD using 
Turbomeca Alert MSB No. A292 72 2166 Version A, dated March 30, 
2009, Version B, dated September 4, 2009, Version C, dated June 15, 
2010, Version D, dated July 28, 2010, Version E, dated October 4, 
2010, Version F, dated May 13, 2011, or Version G, dated March 26, 
2012, you met the requirements of paragraph (e)(2) or (e)(3) as 
applicable, of this AD.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Rose Len, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2012-0054, dated April 2, 
2012, and AD 2012-0124, dated July 9, 2012, also pertain to this AD.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
October 24, 2012.
    (i) Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin No. A292 72 4166 
Version A, dated March 23, 2012.
    (ii) Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin No. A292 72 5166 
Version A, dated June 18, 2012.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
August 12, 2011 (76 FR 40222, July 8, 2011).
    (i) Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A292 72 
3166 Version B, dated September 20, 2010.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (5) For Turbomeca service information identified in this AD, 
contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74 40 00; 
telex: 570 042; fax: 33 (0)5 59 74 45 15.
    (6) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 781-238-7125.
    (7) You may view this service information 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.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 6, 2012.
Robert G. Mann,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-22536 Filed 9-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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