[4910-13-P] 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0901; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-19-AD; Amendment 

39-17314; AD 2012-27-02] 

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 all Turbomeca 

S.A. Arriel lAl , 1A2, 18, IC, lCl , 1C2, ID, 101, 1E2, lKl , IS, and lSI turboshaft 

engines. This AD requires performing a high gas generator speed (NG) rating vibration 

check. This AD was prompted by several reports ofuncommanded in-flight shutdown on 

Arriel 1 engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded in-flight shutdown 

of the engine, which could result in an emergency landing. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective [Insert date 35 days after date of publication in the 

FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

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. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, 

Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 0 1803; e-mail: frederick.zink@faa.gov; phone: 781-

238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 

include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in 

the Federal Register on September 13, 2012 (77 FR 56585). That NPRM proposed to 

correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states: 

Comments 

Several cases ofuncommanded in-flight shut-down (IFSD) have 

been reported on ARRIEL 1 engines. Results of subsequent 

investigations showed that some Gas Generator (GG) rear bearing 

failures have occurred following "Level 3" maintenance actions on 

the GG rotating assembly. Some of these maintenance actions may 

have created an unbalanced condition of the GG rotating assembly 

and, ultimately, failure of the GG rear bearing. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to an 

uncommanded engine in-flight shut down and may ultimately lead 

to an emergency landing. 

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We 

received no comments on the NPRM. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public 

interest require adopting the AD as proposed. 

Costs of Compliance 

Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD affects about 1,445 

engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 

2 
hour per product to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based 

on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $122,825. 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

Title 49 ofthe 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); and 

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3. 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. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://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 regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and other 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. 

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 

I. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends§ 39.13 by adding the following new AD: 

2012-27-02 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-17314; Docket No. FAA-2012-0901 ; 

Directorate Identifier 20 12-NE-19-AD. 

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(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective [Insert date 35 days after 

date of publication in the FEDERAL REGISTER). 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Turbomeca S.A. ARRIEL 1 A 1, 1 A2, 1 B, 1 C, 1 C 1, 1 C2, 

1 D, 1 D 1, 1 E2, 1 K 1, 1 S, and 1 S 1 turbo shaft engines. 

(d) Reason 

This AD was prompted by several reports ofuncommanded in-flight shutdown on 

Arriel 1 engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded in-flight shutdown 

of the engine, which could result in an emergency landing. 

(e) Actions and Compliance 

Unless already done, from the effective date of this AD, do the following. After 

any Level 3 maintenance action on the gas generator (GG) rotating assembly and before 

returning the engine to service, accomplish a high GG speed (NG) rating vibration check. 

(f) Definition 

Level 3 maintenance on the GG rotating assembly is when the Module 03 is 

removed from the helicopter for implementation of deep maintenance operation to be 

performed in accordance with the applicable maintenance instructions. 

(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. 

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(h) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Frederick Zink, Aerospace 

Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803 ; e-mail: frederick.zink@faa.gov; phone: 

781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199. 

(2) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information AD 2012-0117, 

dated July 3, 2012, for related information. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 31 , 2012. 

Kevin Dickert, 

Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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