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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 30, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31167-31169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-15277]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0544; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-17-AD; 
Amendment 39-15952; AD 2009-12-51]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 
1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting emergency airworthiness directive (AD) 2009-12-51 that was 
sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Turbomeca 
S.A. Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 
turboshaft engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive visual 
inspections of certain reduction gearboxes (module M05) for oil 
leakage, repair if leaking, and repair of all affected modules as 
terminating action to the repetitive inspections. This AD results from 
reports of oil leaks from certain reduction gearbox (module M05) front 
casings. The engine manufacturer reported that the lubrication duct 
plug was not properly bonded/glued in place. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown, possible engine fire, 
and an emergency autorotation landing.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 15, 2009 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by emergency AD 
2009-12-51, issued on June 4, 2009, which contained the requirements of 
this amendment. The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the 
regulations as of July 15, 2009.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by August 31, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     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.
    Contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone (33) 05 59 74 40 
00, fax (33) 05 59 74 45 15 for the service information identified in 
this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 4, 2009, the FAA issued emergency AD 
2009-12-51, that applies to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 
1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. That AD 
requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of certain reduction 
gearboxes (module M05) for oil leakage, repair if leaking, and repair 
of all affected modules as terminating action to the repetitive 
inspections. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown, possible engine fire, and an 
emergency autorotation landing.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Turbomeca 
S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A292 72 0825, Version A, 
dated May 27, 2009, that describes procedures for visual inspections of 
affected reduction gearboxes (module M05) for oil leakage, repair if 
leaking, and repair of all affected modules as terminating action to 
the repetitive inspections.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop 
on other engines of the same type design, we issued emergency AD 2009-
12-51 to prevent uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown, possible engine 
fire, and an emergency autorotation landing. This AD requires initial 
and repetitive visual inspections of certain reduction gearboxes 
(module M05) for oil leakage, repair if leaking, and repair of all 
affected modules as terminating action to the repetitive inspections. 
You must use the service information described previously to perform 
the actions required by this AD.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this

[[Page 31168]]

AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for public comment before 
issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good cause existed to make 
the AD effective immediately on June 4, 2009, to all known U.S. owners 
and operators of Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 
1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. These conditions still 
exist, and we are publishing the AD in the Federal Register as an 
amendment to Section 39.13 of part 39 of the Code Federal Regulations 
(14 CFR part 39) to make it effective to all persons.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send us any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2009-0544; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-17-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    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 AD. Using the search function of the 
Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including, if provided, the name of the individual who sent the comment 
(or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor 
union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement 
in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).

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 (telephone (800) 647-5527) is the same as 
the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 have 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 that 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
    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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal 
Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (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:

2009-12-51 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-15952. Docket No. FAA-2009-
0544; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-17-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 15, 
2009, to all persons except those persons to whom it was made 
immediately effective by emergency AD 2009-12-51, issued June 4, 
2009, which contained the requirements of this amendment.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 
1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines if 
modified by Turbomeca Modification TU332 and fitted with modules M05 
as listed by serial number in Figure 1 of Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A292 72 0825, Version A, dated May 27, 
2009. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter 
France AS350B, AS350BA, AS365N, AS350B1, AS350B2, Eurocopter 
Deutschland GmbH MBB-BK117-C1, Agusta A109K2, and Sikorsky S-76A+, 
S-76A++ and S-76C helicopters.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of oil leaks from certain 
reduction gearbox (module M05) front casings. The engine 
manufacturer reported that the lubrication duct plug was not 
properly bonded/glued in place. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in loss of the lubrication duct plug, followed by a 
rapid draining of the oil tank, without indication to the cockpit 
through low oil pressure warning. This condition can lead to 
uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown, possible engine fire, and an 
emergency autorotation landing.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

Initial Visual Inspection Before Further Flight

    (f) Before further flight:
    (1) Visually inspect the module M05 lubrication duct for oil 
leakage. Use paragraph 1.C.(1)(a), paragraph 2.A., and Figure 2 of 
Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. A292 72 0825, Version A, dated May 27, 2009, 
to do the inspection.
    (2) If oil leakage is found, repair the module M05 lubrication 
duct. Use paragraph

[[Page 31169]]

2.B.1, Figure 3, and Figure 4 in Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. A292 72 
0825, Version A, dated May 27, 2009, to do the repair.

Repetitive Visual Inspections

    (g) If no oil leakage is found, repeat the visual inspection 
every four flight hours, or after the last flight of each day, 
whichever comes first.
    (h) The actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD may be 
performed by the owner/operator holding at least a private pilot 
certificate, and must be entered into the aircraft records showing 
compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9 and 14 CFR 
91.417(a)(2)(v).

Optional Terminating Action

    (i) As optional terminating action to the repetitive visual 
inspections in paragraph (g) of this AD, repair the affected modules 
M05 as specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (j) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (k) European Aviation Safety Agency emergency airworthiness 
directive 2009-0117-E, dated June 2, 2009, also addresses the 
subject of this AD.

Contact Information

    (l) For further information, contact: James Lawrence, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-
mail: [email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 
238-7199, for more information about this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (m) You must use Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. A292 72 0825, Version A, 
dated May 27, 2009, to identify the serial numbers of modules M05 
affected by this AD, and to perform the inspections and repairs 
required by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get a 
copy from Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone (33) 05 59 74 
40 00, fax (33) 05 59 74 45 15. You may review copies at the FAA, 
New England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; 
or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 22, 2009.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-15277 Filed 6-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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