Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 52 (Thursday, March 17, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14370-14372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06000]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25970; Directorate Identifier 99-NE-12-AD; 
Amendment 39-18426; AD 2016-05-08]
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) 2006-23-17 for 
certain Turbomeca S.A. Turmo IV A and IV C turboshaft engines. AD 2006-
23-17 required repetitive inspections of the centrifugal compressor 
intake wheel (inducer) blades for cracks and corrosion, replacement of 
parts that fail inspection, and replacement of the TU 197 standard 
centrifugal compressor. This AD requires the same inspections, but at 
revised intervals, adds the replacement of the TU 215 standard 
centrifugal compressor, and requires replacement of parts that fail 
inspection. This AD was prompted by a centrifugal compressor inducer 
blade loss. This AD was also prompted by a Turbomeca S.A. review of the 
engine service experience and their determination that more frequent 
borescope inspections (BSIs) are required on engines not modified to 
the TU 191, TU 197, or TU 224 standard. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the centrifugal compressor inducer, which could lead 
to an uncontained blade release, damage to the engine, and damage to 
the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective April 21, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 21, 
2016.

[[Page 14371]]


ADDRESSES: For 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. 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-2006-
25970.

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-
25970; 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, 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: Kenneth Steeves, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7765; 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 2006-23-17, Amendment 39-14829 (71 FR 66664, 
November 16, 2006), (``AD 2006-23-17''). AD 2006-23-17 applied to the 
specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
November 25, 2015 (80 FR 73681). The NPRM proposed to require the same 
inspections, but at revised intervals, add the replacement of the TU 
215 standard centrifugal compressor, and require replacement of parts 
that fail inspection.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 73681, November 25, 
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

    We reviewed Turbomeca S.A. Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 
No. A249 72 0100, Version H, dated May 21, 2015. The Alert MSB 
describes procedures for the inspection and replacement of the 
centrifugal compressor inducer blades. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 36 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry. We estimate that two of these engines will require 
compressor replacement. We also estimate that about 40 hours per engine 
are required to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
hour. Parts cost about $40,000 per engine. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $202,400.

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.

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) 
2006-23-17, Amendment 39-14829 (71 FR 66664, November 16, 2006) 
(``2006-23-17''), and adding the following new AD:

2016-05-08 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-18426; Docket No. FAA-2006-
25970; Directorate Identifier 99-NE-12-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 21, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2006-23-17.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Turmo IV A and IV C turboshaft 
engines.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a centrifugal compressor inducer blade 
loss. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the centrifugal 
compressor inducer, which could lead to an uncontained blade 
release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Remove the TU 197 and TU 215 standard centrifugal 
compressors and install the TU 224 standard centrifugal compressor, 
within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Perform initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections (UIs) 
or eddy current inspections

[[Page 14372]]

(ECIs) of the centrifugal compressor (inducer). Use Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 6.B.(1)(b) of Turbomeca S.A. Alert Mandatory 
Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A249 72 0100, Version H, dated May 21, 
2015 to do the inspections. Use Appendix 1 of Turbomeca S.A. Alert 
MSB No. A249 72 0100, Version H, dated May 21, 2015 for the schedule 
of inspections.
    (3) Perform initial and repetitive borescope inspections (BSIs) 
of the centrifugal compressor inducer. Use Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs 6.B.(1)(a) of Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. 
A249 72 0100, Version H, dated May 21, 2015 to do the inspections. 
Use Appendix 1 of Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. A249 72 0100, Version 
H, dated May 21, 2015 for the schedule of inspections.
    (4) If, during any inspection required by paragraphs (e)(2) or 
(e)(3) of this AD, any crack, corrosion, or other damage is detected 
on the inducer, then before next flight, replace the centrifugal 
compressor.
    (5) Accomplishment of a UI or ECI of the centrifugal compressor 
inducer, required by paragraph (e)(2) of this AD, is acceptable in 
lieu of a BSI required by paragraph (e)(3) of this AD for that 
engine.
    (6) Replacement of a centrifugal compressor required by 
paragraph (e)(4) of this AD, does not constitute terminating action 
for the repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (e)(2) and 
(e)(3) of this AD.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the inspections and corrective actions 
required by paragraphs (e)(2) and (e)(3) of this AD, if you 
performed the inspections and corrective actions before the 
effective date of this AD, using Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. A249 
72 0100, Version G, or an earlier version.

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

(h) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Kenneth Steeves, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7765; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

(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.
    (i) Turbomeca S.A. Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 
A249 72 0100, Version H, dated May 21, 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 26, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-06000 Filed 3-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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