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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10544-10545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04284]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-2859; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-04-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. Arriel 1D and 1D1 turboshaft engines with a pre-
modification (mod) TU357 gas generator module (M03), installed. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports of divergent rubbing between the 
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 proposing this AD to prevent failure of the 
labyrinth seal and engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of control of 
the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 2, 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 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 NPRM, 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.

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-2016-
2859; 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: 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 written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this NPRM. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-2859; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-04-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM 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 NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the 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 of divergent rubbing between the piston shaft small 
diameter labyrinth and the rear bearing support have been reported.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an uncommanded 
engine in-flight shutdown.

    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-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 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

[[Page 10545]]

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 NPRM 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 NPRM would require removing the pre-modification (mod) 
TU357 gas generator module (M03) and replacing with a part eligible for 
installation.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 426 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 
40 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost about $16,500 per engine. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $8,477,400.

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,
    (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-2016-2859; Directorate Identifier 
2016-NE-04-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 2, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Arriel 1D and 1D1 turboshaft engines with 
a pre-modification (mod) TU357 gas generator module (M03), 
installed.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of divergent rubbing between the 
piston shaft small diameter labyrinth and the rear bearing support. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the labyrinth seal and 
engine, in-flight shutdown, 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 4 months or 240 engine operating hours after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, remove the pre-
modification (mod) TU357 gas generator module (M03) from service and 
replace with a part eligible for installation.
    (2) Reserved.

(f) 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.

(g) 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 2016-0009, 
dated January 13, 2016, 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-2016-2859.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 18, 2016.
Ann C. Mollica,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04284 Filed 2-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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