Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 125 (Monday, June 30, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36634-36635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14951]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23809; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-52-AD; 
Amendment 39-17866; AD 2014-12-05]
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 airworthiness directive (AD) 2007-10-07 for 
all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B, 2B1, and 2B1A turboshaft engines. AD 
2007-10-07 required an inspection of the splines of the coupling 
assembly and the hydro-mechanical metering unit (HMU) drive gear shaft 
for wear. This AD requires the same inspection and expands the affected 
population. This AD also removes Arriel 2B1A engines from the 
applicability. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HMU 
drive gear shaft, which could lead to damage to the engine and damage 
to the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective August 4, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 4, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Turbomeca, S.A., 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2006-
23809; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), 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: Michael Davison, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park; phone: (781) 238-7156; 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 2007-10-07, Amendment 39-15048 (72 FR 26711, 
May 11, 2007), (``AD 2007-10-07''). AD 2007-10-07 applied to the 
specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
February 21, 2014 (79 FR 9868). The NPRM proposed to require the same 
inspection as AD 2007-10-07 and expand the affected population. The 
NPRM also proposed to remove Arriel 2B1A engines from the 
applicability.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 9868, February 21, 
2014).

Conclusion

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

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 470 engines installed on aircraft 
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 2 hours per 
engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $79,900.

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

    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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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.

[[Page 36635]]

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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (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) 
2007-10-07, Amendment 39-15048 (72 FR 26711, May 11, 2007), and adding 
the following new AD:

2014-12-05 Turbomeca S.A: Amendment 39-17866; Docket No. FAA-2006-
23809; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-52-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 4, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2007-10-07, Amendment 39-15048 (72 FR 
26711, May 11, 2007).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 
2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 turboshaft engines.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an additional case of wear 
of the hydro-mechanical metering unit (HMU) drive gear shaft splines 
on both Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2 engines on a twin-engine helicopter. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HMU drive gear 
shaft, which could lead to damage to the engine and damage to the 
aircraft.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(1) Arriel 2B and 2B1 Engines

    (i) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has 500 or more 
operating hours since new or since last overhaul, then within 25 HMU 
operating hours from the effective date of this AD, inspect the 
high-pressure (HP) pump drive gear shaft splines and coupling shaft 
assembly splines. Use paragraph 2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 73 2812, Version G, dated 
June 24, 2013, to do your inspection.
    (ii) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has less than 
500 operating hours since new or since last overhaul, then inspect 
the HP pump drive gear shaft splines and coupling shaft assembly 
splines between 500 and 525 operating hours since new or since last 
overhaul. Use paragraph 2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 
2812, Version G, dated June 24, 2013, to do your inspection.

(2) Arriel 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 Engines

    (i) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has 500 or more 
operating hours since new, since last overhaul, or if HMU operating 
hours are unknown, then within 200 HMU operating hours from the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the HP pump drive gear shaft 
splines and coupling shaft assembly splines. Use paragraph 
2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 2822, Version F, dated 
June 21, 2013, to do your inspection.
    (ii) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has more than 
300 but less than 500 operating hours since new or since last 
overhaul, then within 225 HMU operating hours, but no earlier than 
500 or later than 700 HMU operating hours from the effective date of 
this AD, inspect the HP pump drive gear shaft splines and coupling 
shaft assembly splines. Use paragraph 2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A. 
MSB No. 292 73 2822 Version F, dated June 21, 2013, to do your 
inspection.
    (iii) If on the effective date of this AD the HMU has 300 
operating hours or less since new or since last overhaul, then 
inspect the HP pump drive gear shaft splines and coupling shaft 
assembly splines between 500 and 525 HMU operating hours since new 
or since last overhaul. Use paragraph 2.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A. 
MSB No. 292 73 2822, Version F, dated June 21, 2013, to do your 
inspection.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    If, before the effective date of this AD, you inspected your HMU 
after 500 HMU operating hours since new or since last overhaul using 
an earlier version of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 2822, Version F, 
dated June 21, 2013, for 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1 and 2S2 engines, or MSB 
No. 292 73 2812, Version G, dated June 24, 2013, for 2B or 2B1 
engines, you have met the requirements of this AD.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any HMU onto 
any engine, nor install any engine onto any helicopter with an HMU 
affected by this AD, unless the HMU passed the inspection required 
by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD for Arriel 2B and 2B1 engines or 
paragraph (e)(2) of this AD for Arriel 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 
engines.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Michael Davison, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park; phone: (781) 
238-7156; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2013-0170, 
dated July 30, 2013, for related information. You may examine the 
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2006-23809.

(j) 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.
    (i) Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 73 
2822, Version F, dated June 21, 2013.
    (ii) Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 73 2812, Version G, dated June 
24, 2013.
    (3) For Turbomeca S.A. service information identified in this 
AD, contact Turbomeca, S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 
74 40 00; telex: 570 042; fax: 33 (0)5 59 74 45 15.
    (4) 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.
    (5) 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 June 2, 2014.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-14951 Filed 6-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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