Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 7 (Thursday, January 10, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2198-2200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00130]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0901; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-19-AD; 
Amendment 39-17314; AD 2012-27-02]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 
1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. This AD requires performing a high gas 
generator speed (NG) rating vibration check. This AD was prompted by 
several reports of uncommanded in-flight shutdown on

[[Page 2199]]

Arriel 1 engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded in-
flight shutdown of the engine, which could result in an emergency 
landing.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 14, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email: 
[email protected]; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 13, 2012 
(77 FR 56585). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Several cases of uncommanded in-flight shut-down (IFSD) have 
been reported on ARRIEL 1 engines. Results of subsequent 
investigations showed that some Gas Generator (GG) rear bearing 
failures have occurred following ``Level 3'' maintenance actions on 
the GG rotating assembly. Some of these maintenance actions may have 
created an unbalanced condition of the GG rotating assembly and, 
ultimately, failure of the GG rear bearing.

    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to an 
uncommanded engine in-flight shut down and may ultimately lead to an 
emergency landing.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 56585, September 
13, 2012).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed (77 FR 56585, 
September 13, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD affects 
about 1,445 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also 
estimate that it will take about 1 hour per product to comply with this 
AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $122,825.

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 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 this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
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 street address for 
the Docket Operations office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is provided in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

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 adding the following new AD:

2012-27-02 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-17314; Docket No. FAA-2012-
0901; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-19-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 14, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Turbomeca S.A. ARRIEL 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 
1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by several reports of uncommanded in-flight 
shutdown on Arriel 1 engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent an 
uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the engine, which could result in 
an emergency landing.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, from the effective date of this AD, do the 
following. After any Level 3 maintenance action on the gas generator 
(GG) rotating assembly and before returning the engine to service, 
accomplish a high GG speed (NG) rating vibration check.

(f) Definition

    Level 3 maintenance on the GG rotating assembly is when the 
Module 03 is removed from the helicopter for implementation of deep 
maintenance operation to be performed in accordance with the 
applicable maintenance instructions.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 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 Frederick Zink, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803;

[[Page 2200]]

email: [email protected]; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-
7199.
    (2) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information AD 
2012-0117, dated July 3, 2012, for related information.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 31, 2012.
Kevin Dickert,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-00130 Filed 1-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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