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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 38 (Friday, February 26, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9744-9746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04028]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-4070; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-31-AD; 
Amendment 39-18408; AD 2016-04-14]
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

[[Page 9745]]

Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1E2 turboshaft engines. This AD requires removing 
the tachometer box on affected engines. This AD was prompted by reports 
of uncommanded in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs). We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the tachometer box, which could lead to failure of 
the engine, IFSD, and loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 1, 2016.

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-2015-
4070.

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-
4070; 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: philip.haberlen@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 November 24, 2015 (80 FR 
73147). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    There have been reports of Arriel 1E2 engines having experienced 
an uncommanded in-flight shut-down (IFSD) due to an untimely 
activation of the tachometer box shut-off system which was activated 
by the power turbine monitoring function of the tachometer box.
    This condition, if not corrected, could potentially lead to 
further cases of IFSD, possibly resulting in a forced landing.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 73147, 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

    Turbomeca S.A. has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 77 
0844, Version B, dated July 6, 2015. The service information describes 
procedures for removing pre-TU 369 tachometer boxes.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 200 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 
3 hours per engine to comply with 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 $51,000.

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):

2016-04-14 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-18408; Docket No. FAA-2015-
4070; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-31-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 1, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1E2 turboshaft 
engines with tachometer boxes with the following part number (P/N) 
and serial number (S/N) combinations:
    (i) P/N 9580116170--all S/Ns
    (ii) P/N 9580116260--all S/Ns
    (iii) P/N 9580116900--all S/Ns
    (iv) P/N 9580117110--all S/Ns
    (v) P/N 9580117550--all S/Ns 1499 and below with or without 
suffix letters and all S/Ns 1500 and above that do not contain the 
suffix letters EL.
    (2) This AD applies only to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1E2 turboshaft 
engines with

[[Page 9746]]

tachometer boxes identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD that also 
have installed electrical connectors labeled as P10106, P10098, and 
P10108; or P11F, P13F, and P15F.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded in-flight 
shutdowns (IFSDs). We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
tachometer box, which could lead to failure of the engine, IFSD, and 
loss of control of the helicopter.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Within 1,600 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, remove the affected tachometer box from the engine.
    (2) Reserved.

(f) Credit for Previous Action

    You may take credit for the action required by paragraph (e) of 
this AD if you performed the action before the effective date of 
this AD in accordance with Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin 
292 77 0844, Version A, dated March 4, 2015.

(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: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

(h) 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: 
philip.haberlen@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-0175, 
dated August 24, 2015, which includes Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 
292 77 0844, Version B, dated July 6, 2015, for related information. 
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2015-4070.
    (3) Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 77 0844, 
Version B, dated July 6, 2015, which is not incorporated by 
reference in this AD, can be obtained from Turbomeca S.A., using the 
contact information in paragraph (h)(4) of this AD.
    (4) 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.
    (5) 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.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 16, 2016.
Ann C. Mollica,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04028 Filed 2-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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