Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12583-12585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05318]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3753; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-26-AD; 
Amendment 39-18406; AD 2016-04-12]
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 certain 
Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2D, 2E, 2S1, and 2S2 
turboshaft engines. This AD requires inspection, and, depending on the 
results, removal of the engine accessory gearbox (AGB). This AD was 
prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-flight shutdown (IFSD) of an 
Arriel 2 engine caused by rupture of the 41-tooth gear, which forms 
part of the bevel gear in the engine AGB. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the engine AGB, which could lead to in-flight 
shutdown, damage to the engine, and damage to the aircraft.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 14, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 14, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 0 5 59 74 40 
00; fax: 33 0 5 59 74 45 15. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 781-238-7125. It is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2015-3753.

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-2015-
3753; 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: Philip Haberlen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7770; 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 November 24, 2015 (80 FR 
73148). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:


[[Page 12584]]


    An uncommanded in-flight shut-down (IFSD) of an ARRIEL 2 engine 
was reported, caused by rupture of the 41-tooth gear, which forms 
part of the bevel gear of the accessory gearbox (module M01). The 
subsequent investigation revealed that wear on the housing of the 
front bearing of this gear was a major contributor to this rupture. 
In addition, the investigation showed that this wear mechanism had 
resulted in positive Spectrometric Oil Analysis (SOA) indications 
before the event.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could potentially 
lead to further cases of IFSD, possibly resulting in an emergency 
landing.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-3753.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 73148, November 24, 
2015).

Conclusion

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

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Turbomeca S.A. has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 72 
2861, Version A, dated April 24, 2015. The service information 
describes procedures for inspecting the engine AGB. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in the ADDRESSES section of this final rule.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 250 engines installed on aircraft 
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 0.5 hours 
per engine to comply with the initial inspection requirement in this AD 
and about 2 hours per engine to remove the engine AGB. The 
spectrometric oil analysis kit costs about $79. 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 $72,875.

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):

2016-04-12 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-18406; Docket No. FAA-2015-
3753; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-26-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 14, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 
2D, 2E, 2S1, and 2S2 turboshaft engines with an engine accessory 
gearbox (AGB), part number (P/N) 0292120650, with a machined front 
casing.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-flight 
shutdown (IFSD) of an Arriel 2 engine caused by rupture of the 41-
tooth gear, which forms part of the bevel gear in the engine AGB. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the engine AGB, which 
could lead to IFSD, damage to the engine, and damage to the 
aircraft.

(e) Actions and Compliance

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

(1) Initial Spectrometric Oil Analysis (SOA)

    (i) Perform an initial SOA within the compliance times given in 
paragraph (e)(1)(i)(A) or (e)(1)(i)(B) of this AD:
    (A) If the engine AGB has less than 800 engine hours (EHs) since 
new or since last overhaul, do an initial SOA before exceeding 850 
EHs since new or since last overhaul.
    (B) If the engine AGB has 800 EHs or more since new or since 
last overhaul, or if the EHs are unknown, do an initial SOA within 
50 EHs after the effective date of this AD.
    (C) Use paragraphs 2.4.2.1 and 2.4.2.2 of Turbomeca S.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 72 2861, Version A, dated 
April 24, 2015, to perform the SOA required by paragraph (e) of this 
AD.
    (ii) Reserved.

(2) Repetitive SOA

    (i) If the aluminum concentration determined from the most 
recent SOA is less than 0.8 parts per million (PPM), repeat the SOA 
required by paragraph (e) of this AD within 100 EHs time since last 
analysis (TSLA).
    (ii) If the aluminum concentration determined from the most 
recent SOA is between 0.8 PPM and 1.4 PPM, inclusive, repeat the SOA 
required by paragraph (e) of this AD within 50 EHs TSLA. Do not 
perform draining before doing the next SOA.
    (iii) If the aluminum concentration determined from the most 
recent SOA is greater than 1.4 PPM, remove the engine AGB from 
service within 50 EHs TSLA.

(f) 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. You may email your request to: [email protected].

[[Page 12585]]

(g) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Philip Haberlen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7770; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-0162, 
dated August 6, 2015, for more information. You may examine the MCAI 
in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-3753-0001.

(h) 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 No. 292 72 2861, 
Version A, dated April 24, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (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; fax: 33 0 5 59 74 45 15.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, 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 February 18, 2016.
Ann C. Mollica,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05318 Filed 3-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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