DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2016-2859; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-04-AD[ RlN 2120-AA64 Ainvorthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. TurboshaftEngines AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). DOT. ACTION: Notice ofproposed rulemaking (NPRM). [4910-13-P[



### SUMMARY: Wepropose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Turbomeca S.A. ArriellD and lDl turboshaft engines with a pre-modification (mod) TU357 gas generator module (M03), installed. This proposed AD was promptedby reports ofdivergentrubbing betweenthe piston shaft small diameter labyrinth and the

rear bearing support. This proposed AD would require removing the pre-modification (mod) TU357 gas generator module (M03) and replacing with a part eligible for installation. We are proposingthis AD to prevent failure ofthe labyrinth seal and engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss ofcontrol ofthe helicopter. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposedAD by [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTERDATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any ofthe following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department ofTransportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-000I.

### • HandDelivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

• Fax: 202-493-2251. For service informationidentified inthis NPRlVI, contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tamos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74 40 00; fax: 33 (0)5 59 74 45 15. Youmayviewthis service information at the FAA, Engine & 

### PropellerDirectorate, 1200 DistrictAvenue, Burlington, MA. For information onthe availability ofthis material at the FAA, call 781- 238-7125. Examining the AD Docket You may examinethe AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating DocketNo. FAA-2016-2859; orinperson at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Mondaythrough Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed 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 inthe ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available inthe AD docket shortly after receipt. 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: Comments Invited We invite you to send any writtenrelevant data, views, or arguments about this NPRlVI. Send your commentsto an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include "DocketNo. FAA-2016-2859; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-04-AD" at the beginning ofyour comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 

### 2economic, environmental, and energy aspects ofthis NPRM. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM based onthose comments. We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this NPRM. 

### Discussion The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agentfor the Member States ofthe European Community, has issued EASA AD 2016-0009, dated January 13,2016 (referred to hereinafter as "the MCAI"), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states: Some cases ofdivergent rubbing between the piston shaft small diameter labyrinth and the rear bearing support have been reported. This condition, ifnot corrected, could lead to an uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown. You may obtain further informationby examiningthe MCAI inthe AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.govby searching for and locating DocketNo. FAA-2016-2859. 

### Related Service Information Turbomeca S.A. has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 72 1357, Version B, dated November 12,2015. The MSB describes procedures for installing a post-modification (mod) TU357 gas generator module (M03). This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal

course ofbusiness orbythe means identified in the ADDRESSES section ofthis NPRlvf.



### 3FAA's Determination and Requirements ofThis Proposed AD This producthas been approvedby the aviation authority ofFrance, and is approved for operation inthe United States. Pursuantto our bilateral agreement withthe European Community, EASAhas notified us ofthe unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this NPRM because

we evaluated all informationprovidedby EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on otherproducts ofthe same type design. This NPRM: would require removing the pre-modification (mod) TU357 gas generator module (M03) and replacing with a part eligible for installation. Costs ofCompliance We estimate that this proposedAD affects 426 engines installed on helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it wouldtake about 40 hours per engine to comply withthis proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 perhour. Required parts cost about $16,500 perengine. Based onthese figures, we estimatethe cost ofthis proposedAD on U.S. operators to be $8,477,400. Authority for This Rulemaking Title 49 ofthe United States Code specifiesthe FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority ofthe FAA Administrator. "Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs," describes in more detail the scope ofthe Agency's authority. We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in "Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section44701: General requirements." Under that section, Congress charges the FAA withpromoting safe flight ofcivil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, andprocedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope ofthat authority

4because it addresses anunsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop onproducts identified in this rulemaking action. Regulatory Findings We determinedthat this proposed AD wouldnothave federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposedAD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, onthe relationship between the national Government and the States,

or on the distribution ofpower and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Forthe reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed regulation: (1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866, (2) Is not a "significant rule" under the DOTRegulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that itjustifies making a regulatory distinction, and (4) Will nothave a significant economic impact, positive ornegative, on a substantial number ofsmall entities under the criteria ofthe Regulatory Flexibility Act. List ofSubjects in 14 CFRPart 39 Airtransportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporationby reference, Safety. The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: 

### PART 39- 

### AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continuesto read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113,44701.



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### § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends§ 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): Turbomeca S.A.: Docket No. FAAw2016w2859; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-04-AD. (a) Comments Due Date We must receive comments by [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTERDATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Arriel 1 D and 1 D 1 turboshaft engines with a premodification (mod) TU357 gas generator module (M03), installed. (d) Reason This AD was prompted 

### by reports ofdivergent rubbing between the piston shaft small diameter labyrinth and the rear bearing support. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure ofthe labyrinth seal and engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss ofcontrol ofthe helicopter. (e) Actions and Compliance Comply withthis AD within the compliance times specified, tmless already done. (I) Within 4 months or240 engine operating hours afterthe effective date ofthis AD, whichever occurs later, removethe pre-modification (mod) TU357 gas generator module (M03) from service andreplace with a part eligible for installation. (2) Reserved.

6(I) 

### AlternativeMethods ofCompliance (AMOCs) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR39.19 to make your request. You may email yourrequestto: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. 

### (g) Related Information (1) Formore information about this AD, contact Philip Haberlen, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 DistrictAvenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7770; fax: 781-238-7199; email: philip.haberlen@faa.gov. (2) Referto MCAl European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2016-0009, dated January 

### 13,2016, for more information. Youmay examine the MCAI in the AD docket

on the Internet athttp://www.regulations.govby searching for and locating 

### itinDocket No. FAA-2016-2859.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 18,2016.

Ann C. Mollica, Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.



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