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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12834-12836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05465]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-8257; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-36-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Turbomeca S.A. MAKILA 2A and MAKILA 2A1 turboshaft engines. This 
proposed AD was prompted by two occurrences of crack initiation on a 
ferrule of the diffuser. This proposed AD would require repetitive 
diffuser inspections and replacement of those diffusers that fail 
inspection. We are proposing this AD to prevent rupture of the ferrule 
of the diffuser, which could result in engine fire and damage to the 
helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 10, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building

[[Page 12835]]

Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: 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 information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: (33) 05 59 74 40 00; fax: 
(33) 05 59 74 45 15. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 
01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 781-238-7125.

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-
8257; 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 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in 
the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Kierstead, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; email: brian.kierstead@faa.gov; 
phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-8257; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-36-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2015-0209, dated October 16, 2015 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

Two occurrences of crack initiation were reported on a ferrule of 
diffuser part number (P/N) 0298210100, which propagated and led to 
the ferrule rupture. The investigation shows in both cases that the 
ruptured ferrule contacted and punctured the main fuel supply line, 
resulting in a fuel leak. This condition, if not detected and 
corrected, could lead to an engine fire, consequently triggering an 
uncommanded engine in flight shut down, possibly resulting in an 
emergency landing. Prompted by these occurrences, Turbomeca 
published Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 298 72 2832 to 
provide repetitive inspection instructions.

    This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the 
affected diffuser and removal of those diffusers that fail the required 
inspection. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in 
the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-8257.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Turbomeca S.A. has issued Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 
No. A298 72 2832, Version B, dated October 12, 2015. The Alert MSB 
describes procedures for repetitive inspections of the affected 
diffuser and depending on findings, accomplishment of the corrective 
action(s).
    Turbomeca S.A. has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 298 72 2833, 
Version A, dated July 29, 2015. The SB identifies post-TU52 HP gas 
generator modules that have been released with a new ferrule after 
repair or overhaul in a Repair Center. When applying Alert Mandatory 
Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A298 72 2832, it is necessary to know if an 
HP gas generator module released by a Repair Center is equipped with a 
new ferrule.
    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 of this 
NPRM.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of France, 
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our 
bilateral agreement with the European Community, EASA has notified us 
of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information 
referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all 
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the 
affected diffuser and depending on findings, accomplishment of the 
corrective action(s).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 10 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 
2 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $1,700.

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,

[[Page 12836]]

    (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.

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

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):

Turbomeca S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2015-8257; Directorate Identifier 
2015-NE-36-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 10, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. MAKILA 2A and MAKILA 2A1 
turboshaft engine models with a high-pressure (HP) gas generator 
module (M03) that has modification (mod) TU 52 installed.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by two occurrences of crack initiation on a 
ferrule of the diffuser, which propagated and led to the ferrule 
rupture. We are issuing this AD to prevent rupture of the ferrule of 
the diffuser, which could result in engine fire and damage to the 
helicopter.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Borescope inspect the centrifugal diffuser ferrule, part 
number (P/N) 0298210100, prior to the ferrule accumulating 700 
hours, time since new or time since replacement or within 30 hours 
from the effective date of this AD, whichever is later. Use 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.4.1 through 2.4.2.2.1, of 
Turbomeca S.A. Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 298 72 
2832, Version B, dated October 12, 2015, to do the borescope 
inspections required by this AD.
    (2) Repeat the borescope inspection required by this AD every 50 
hours since last inspection.
    (3) If any crack, loss of contact between the ferrule and 
diffuser axial vane, or any contact between the injection manifold 
supply pipe and the diffuser ferrule is found, remove the diffuser 
case and replace the ferrule with a part eligible for installation.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (e) of 
this AD if you performed Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 298 72 2832, Version 
A, dated September 3, 2015 before the effective date of this AD.

(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 Brian Kierstead, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
brian.kierstead@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-0209, 
dated October 16, 2015, for more information. You may examine the 
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2015-8257.
    (3) Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. A298 72 2832, Version B, dated 
October 12, 2015, can be obtained from Turbomeca S.A., using the 
contact information in paragraph (h)(5) of this proposed AD.
    (4) Turbomeca S.A. Service Bulletin (SB) No. 298 72 2833, 
Version A, dated July 29, 2015, can be obtained from Turbomeca S.A., 
using the contact information in paragraph (h)(5) of this proposed 
AD.
    (5) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: (33) 05 59 74 
40 00; fax: (33) 05 59 74 45 15.
    (6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 29, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05465 Filed 3-10-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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