Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Formerly Turbomeca S.A.) Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 251 (Friday, December 30, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 96362-96364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31695]


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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 39-18739; AD 2016-25-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. 
(Formerly 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) 2016-04-12, 
that applies to certain Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (formerly 
Turbomeca S.A.) Arriel 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2D, 2E, 2S1, and 2S2 
turboshaft engines. AD 2016-04-12 required spectrometric oil analysis 
(SOA) inspection of the engine accessory gearbox (AGB), and, depending 
on the results, removal of the engine AGB. This AD requires initial and 
repetitive wear inspections of the engine AGB cover. This AD was 
prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-flight shutdown (IFSD) of an 
Arriel 2S2 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 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 3, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 3, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Safran Helicopter Engines, 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

[[Page 96363]]

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), 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 to supersede AD 2016-04-12, Amendment 39-18406 (81 FR 12583, 
March 10, 2016), (``AD 2016-04-12''). AD 2016-04-12 applied to the 
specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 
17, 2016 (81 FR 39601). The NPRM proposed to require initial and 
repetitive spectrometric oil analysis (SOA) of the AGB, and wear 
inspections of the engine AGB cover. However, this AD only mandates 
wear inspections of the engine AGB cover and does not add requirements 
beyond the scope of the NPRM.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (81 FR 39601, June 17, 
2016).
    Since we issued AD 2016-04-12, the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) has issued MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2016-0055R1, 
dated October 11, 2016, to only specify that periodic wear inspections 
of the engine AGB cover are necessary. This AD removes the proposed 
requirements for initial and repetitive SOA of the AGB, which reduces 
the costs of compliance in this AD.
    Also since we issued AD 2016-04-12, Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. 
has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 72 2861, Version D, 
dated September 23, 2016. The MSB only requires performing periodic 
wear inspections of the engine AGB cover.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described 
previously. We determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. has issued MSB No. 292 72 2861, 
Version D, dated September 23, 2016. The MSB describes procedures for 
performing periodic wear inspections of the engine AGB cover. 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 250 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take 1 hour 
to perform the engine AGB cover wear inspection. The average labor rate 
is $85 per hour. Required parts for the wear inspection cost about 
$3,100 per engine. We estimate that 5 engines will require AGB 
replacement at a cost of $44,397 per engine. We also estimate that it 
will take about 2 hours to replace the engine AGB. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be 
$1,019,085.

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) 
AD 2016-04-12, Amendment 39-18406 (81 FR 12583, March 10, 2016), and 
adding the following new AD:

2016-25-13 Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate 
previously held by Turbomeca S.A.): Amendment 39-18739; Docket No. 
FAA-2015-3753; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-26-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective February 3, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2016-04-12, Amendment 39-18406 (81 FR 
12583, March 10, 2016).

[[Page 96364]]

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-flight 
shutdown (IFSD) of an Arriel 2S2 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, 
uncommanded IFSD, damage to the engine, and damage to the 
helicopter.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Initial Wear Inspection
    (i) For all affected engines, perform a wear inspection of the 
engine AGB cover before the engine AGB, module M01, exceeds 850 
engine hours (EH) since new or since last overhaul (SLO), or within 
50 EHs after April 14, 2016, or before the next flight after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs latest.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (2) Repetitive Wear Inspection Intervals
    (i) For Arriel 2E engines, repeat the engine AGB cover wear 
inspection within every 800 EH since last inspection (SLI).
    (ii) For all affected engines, except for Arriel 2E engines, 
repeat the engine AGB cover wear inspection within every 600 EH SLI.
    (3) Inspection Criteria
    (i) Use paragraph 2.4.2 of Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 72 2861, Version D, dated 
September 23, 2016, to do the inspections required by paragraphs 
(e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) Corrective Actions Based on the Results of the Most Recent 
Wear Inspection
    (i) If the wear measured from the most recent wear inspection is 
0.15 mm or less, no further action is required. However, you must 
still comply with the repetitive inspection requirements of 
paragraph (e)(2) of this AD.
    (ii) If the most recent wear inspection was performed while the 
engine was in service, and the wear is greater than 0.15 mm, do the 
following:
    (A) If the wear measured from the most recent wear inspection is 
greater than 0.15 mm, but 0.30 mm or less, remove the engine AGB 
from service within 200 EH SLI and replace with a part eligible for 
installation.
    (B) If the wear measured from the most recent wear inspection is 
greater than 0.30 mm, but 0.40 mm or less, remove the engine AGB 
from service within 25 EH SLI and replace with a part eligible for 
installation.
    (C) If the wear measured from the most recent wear inspection is 
greater than 0.40 mm, remove the engine AGB from service before 
further flight and replace with a part eligible for installation.
    (iii) If the most recent wear inspection was performed on the 
engine during an engine shop visit, and the wear is greater than 
0.15 mm, remove the engine AGB before further flight and replace 
with a part eligible for installation.

(f) Credit for Previous Action

    If you have previously performed a wear inspection of the engine 
AGB cover prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with 
the instructions given in Turbomeca MSB No. 292 72 2861, Version C, 
dated March 9, 2016, or Turbomeca MSB No. 292 72 2861, Version B, 
dated February 2, 2016, then you may take credit for that wear 
inspection as the ``most recent'' wear inspection for the purposes 
of paragraph (e)(4) of this AD.

(g) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an engine shop visit is defined as 
the induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving 
the separation of any major mating engine flanges, except that the 
separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes 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 
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request. You may email your request to: [email protected].

(i) 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 2016-
0055R1, dated October 11, 2016, for more information. You may 
examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2015-3753-0006.

(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) Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin 
No. 292 72 2861, Version D, dated September 23, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. service information 
identified in this AD, contact Safran Helicopter Engines, 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 November 29, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-31695 Filed 12-29-16; 8:45 am]
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