Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 190 (Wednesday, October 1, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59091-59093]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23353]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0164; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-02-AD; 
Amendment 39-17973; AD 2014-19-05]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 
1S, 1S1, 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 turboshaft engines. This 
AD requires an initial one-time vibration check of the engine accessory 
gearbox (AGB) on certain higher risk Arriel 1 and Arriel 2 model 
engines. This AD also requires repetitive vibration checks of the 
engine AGB for all Arriel 1 and Arriel 2 engines at every engine shop 
visit. This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded in-flight 
shutdowns on Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 and Arriel 2 engines following 
rupture of the 41-tooth gear forming part of the 41/23-tooth bevel gear 
located in the engine AGB. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the engine AGB, which could lead to in-flight shutdown and damage to 
the engine, which may result in damage to the aircraft.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 5, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 5, 
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-2014-
0164; 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: Mark Riley, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7758; fax: 
781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 4, 2014 (79 FR 
32195).

[[Page 59092]]

The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. This AD results from an MCAI originated by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI states:

    Several cases of uncommanded in-flight shut-down (IFSD) have 
been reported on ARRIEL 1 or ARRIEL 2 engines following rupture of 
the 41-tooth gear forming part of the 41/23 tooth bevel gear located 
in the accessory gearbox (AGB) within engine module M01.
    Results of subsequent investigations showed that the meshing 
quality of the bevel gear may have contributed to tooth rupture.
    The rupture of the AGB 41-tooth gear may lead to loss of driving 
of equipment essential to engine operation.
    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 considered the comment received.

Request To Provide Sufficient Compliance Time

    One commenter requested that we provide sufficient time to comply 
with the AD. The commenter indicated that special tooling, to be 
supplied by Turbomeca, is necessary to comply with the AD. The 
vibration check itself is also performed by Turbomeca representatives.
    We do not agree. Our analysis has confirmed that 32 months is 
sufficient time for operators to complete the actions required by this 
AD. We did not change this AD.

Conclusion

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

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 1,268 engines installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 4 
hours per engine to comply with the inspection requirement in 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 $431,120.

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),
    (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.

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2014-19-05 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-17973; Docket No. FAA-2014-
0164; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-02-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective November 5, 2014.

(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, 1S1, 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, 
and 2S2 turboshaft engines.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded in-flight 
shutdowns on Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 and Arriel 2 engines following 
rupture of the 41-tooth gear forming the 41/23-tooth bevel gear 
located in the engine accessory gearbox (AGB). We are issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the engine AGB, which could lead to in-
flight shutdown and damage to the engine, which may result in damage 
to the aircraft.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following.
    (1) For all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1B, 1D, 1D1, 2B, and 2B1 
turboshaft engines, perform a one-time vibration check of the AGB 
41/23-tooth bevel gear meshing within 32 months of the effective 
date of this AD, as follows:
    (i) For all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1B, 1D, and 1D1 engines, 
except those engines with an AGB installed with a serial number (S/
N) listed in Figure 1 of Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin 
(MSB) No. 292 72 0839, Version B, dated November 25, 2013, use 
paragraphs 6.A. through 6.C. of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 72 0839, 
Version B, dated November 25, 2013, to perform the vibration check. 
Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 72 0839 refers to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 
Technical Instruction (TI) No. 292 72 0839, Version E, dated 
February 20, 2014, and Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 TI No. 292 72 8, 
Version A, dated November 29, 2013, which you must also use to do 
the vibration check.
    (ii) The reporting requirements in paragraphs 6.A.(1)(c), 
6.A.(2)(b), and 6.B.(1)(c) and the requirement to return module M01 
in paragraph 6.B.(2)(b)2 of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 72 0839, 
Version B, dated November 25, 2013, are not required by this AD.
    (iii) For all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B and 2B1 engines, except 
those engines with an AGB installed with an S/N listed in Figure 1 
of Turbomeca MSB No. 292 72 2849, Version B, dated November 25, 
2013, use paragraphs 6.A. through 6.C. of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 
72 2849, Version B, dated November 25, 2013, to perform the 
vibration check. Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 72 2849 refers to 
Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2 TI No. 292 72 2849, Version E, dated 
February 20, 2014, and Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2 TI No. 292 72 2850, 
Version A, dated November 29, 2013, which you must also use to do 
the vibration check.
    (iv) The reporting requirements in paragraphs 6.A.(1)(c), 
6.A.(2)(b), and

[[Page 59093]]

6.B.(1)(c), and the requirement to return module M01 in paragraph 
6.B.(2)(b)2 of Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 72 2849, Version B, dated 
November 25, 2013, are not required by this AD.
    (2) For all affected Turbomeca S.A. engines, during each engine 
shop visit after the effective date of this AD, perform a vibration 
check of the AGB 41/23-tooth bevel gear meshing. Guidance on 
performing the vibration check during an engine shop visit can be 
found in the service information listed in paragraph (i)(3) in the 
Related Information section.
    (3) If the AGB does not pass the vibration check required by 
paragraphs (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD, replace the AGB with a part 
eligible for installation.

(f) Credit for Previous Action

    If you performed a vibration check of the AGB before the 
effective date of this AD using Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 72 0839, 
Version A, dated September 9, 2013; or MSB No. 292 72 2849, Version 
A, dated September 9, 2013, or during an engine shop visit per 
paragraph (e)(2) of this AD, you met the initial inspection 
requirement of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.

(g) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the 
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges. The separation 
of engine flanges solely for the purpose of transportation without 
subsequent engine maintenance does not constitute an engine shop 
visit.

(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 Mark Riley, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7758; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0036, 
dated February 11, 2014, for related information. You may examine 
the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-0164.
    (3) Turbomeca Engine Test Bed Acceptance Test Specifications CCT 
No. 0292009400, Version T; CCT No. 0292019400, Version R; CCT No. 
0292019690, Version I; CCT No. 029201530, Version K; CCT No. 
0292019610, Version K; CCT No. 0292029450, Version J; CCT No. 
0292029490, Version I; CCT No. 0292029440, Version I; CCT No. 
0292029480, Version K; CCT No. 0292029520, Version H; CCT No. 
0292029410, Version L; CCT No. 0292029530, Version H; or Turbomeca 
ID No. 383952; or Turbomeca RTD No. X 292 65 327 2, which are not 
incorporated by reference in this AD, can be obtained from Turbomeca 
S.A., using the contact information in paragraph (j)(3) of this AD. 
This service information provides guidance on performing the 
vibration check during an engine shop visit.

(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 72 
0839, Version B, dated November 25, 2013.
    (ii) Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 72 2849, Version B, dated 
November 25, 2013.
    (iii) Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 Technical Instruction (TI) No. 292 
72 0839, Version E, dated February 20, 2014.
    (iv) Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 TI No. 292 72 0840, Version A, 
dated November 29, 2013.
    (v) Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2 TI No. 292 72 2849, Version E, dated 
February 20, 2014.
    (vi) Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2 TI No. 292 72 2850, Version A, 
dated November 29, 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 September 15, 2014.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-23353 Filed 9-30-14; 8:45 am]
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