Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines, 77569-77571 [2013-30459]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 24, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77569-77571]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30459]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0557; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-22-AD; 
Amendment 39-17679; AD 2013-24-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 
1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. This AD requires a one-time inspection 
of the free turbine (FT) module (M04) for the affected Turbomeca S.A. 
Arriel 1 engines and, if a discrepancy is found, repair of the affected 
module. This AD was prompted by a ``chip illumination event'' in flight 
on a Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 engine. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
a loss of FT bearing lubrication, resulting in FT module failure, 
damage to the engine, and damage to the aircraft.

DATES: This AD becomes effective January 28, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of January 28, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
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

[[Page 77570]]

information. The street address for the Docket Operations office 
(phone: 800-647-5527) is provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Morlath, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7154; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: robert.c.morlath@faa.gov.

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 August 12, 2013 (78 FR 
48824). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    A ``chip light illumination'' event in flight on an ARRIEL 1C2 
engine was reported to Turbomeca. Following the event, which 
resulted from Free Turbine front bearing deterioration, the 
investigation revealed that the loss of the Free Turbine (FT) 
bearing module has led to a major disruption in the lubrication of 
the FT module (M04) bearings. The root cause of the event has been 
attributed to incorrect bonding of the Free Turbine Bearing Plug, 
accomplished during the repair process in an identified Repair 
Center. Consequently, it was possible to identify a batch of Modules 
M04 which are potentially affected.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at  
https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0557-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 48824, August 12, 
2013).

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 will affect about 5 engines of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 hour per product 
to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. 
Required parts will cost about $13 per engine. Based on these figures, 
we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $1,765.

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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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):

2013-24-05 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-17679; Docket No. FAA-2013-
0557; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-22-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective January 28, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 
1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines equipped with 
free turbine (FT) module (M04) identified by the part and serial 
numbers listed in Figure 2 of Turbomeca S.A. Alert Mandatory Service 
Bulletin (MSB) No. A292 72 0838, Version A, dated May 24, 2013.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a ``chip illumination event'' in flight 
on a Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 engine. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent a loss of FT bearing lubrication, resulting in FT module 
failure, 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) For Arriel 1B, 1D, and 1D1 engines with an FT module (M04) 
with a part and serial number listed in Figure 2 of Turbomeca S.A. 
Alert MSB No. A292 72 0838, Version A, dated May 24, 2013, within 50 
flight hours (FHs) from the effective date of this AD, inspect the 
FT module (M04). Use the instructions in paragraph 6 of Turbomeca 
S.A. Alert MSB No. A292 72 0838, Version A, dated May 24, 2013 to do 
the inspection.
    (2) For Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 
engines with an FT module (M04) with a part and serial number listed 
in Figure 2 of Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. A292 72 0838, Version A, 
dated May 24, 2013, within 300 FHs from the effective date of this 
AD, inspect the FT module (M04). Use the instructions in paragraph 6 
of Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. A292 72 0838, Version A, dated May 
24, 2013, to do the inspection.
    (3) If you find that the FT module (M04) is not eligible for 
return to service, remove the FT module (M04) before further flight.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any affected 
FT module (M04) with a part and serial number listed in Figure 2 of 
Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. A292 72 0838, Version A, dated May 24, 
2013, onto

[[Page 77571]]

any engine, or an engine with an affected FT module (M04) onto any 
helicopter, unless the module has passed the inspections required by 
paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Morlath, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7154; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
robert.c.morlath@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2013-0120, 
dated June 4, 2013, for more information. You may examine the MCAI 
in the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0557-0002.

(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 No. A292 72 
0838, Version A, dated May 24, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Turbomeca 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: 
https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 14, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-30459 Filed 12-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P