Document ID: FAA-2016-2859-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines
Posted Date: 2016-05-31T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 104 (Tuesday, May 31, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34265-34267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12549]

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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; 
Amendment 39-18536; AD 2016-11-09]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1D and 1D1 turboshaft engines with a pre-
modification (mod) TU357 gas generator module (M03), installed. This AD 
requires removing the pre-modification (mod) TU357 gas generator module 
(M03) and replacing with a part eligible for installation. 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 5, 2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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 Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this 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 
Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

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: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 1, 2016 (81 FR 
10544). The NPRM proposed to correct

[[Page 34266]]

an unsafe condition for the specified products.
    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.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (81 FR 10544, March 1, 
2016).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed.

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.

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 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),
    (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.

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

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):

2016-11-09 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-18536; Docket No. FAA-2016-
2859; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-04-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective July 5, 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.
    (3) Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 72 
1357, Version B, dated November 12, 2015, which is not incorporated 
by reference in this AD, can be obtained from Turbomeca S.A., using 
the contact information in paragraph (g)(4) of this AD.
    (4) Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74 
40 00; fax: 33 (0)5 59 74 45 15.
    (5) 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.

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

[[Page 34267]]

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 23, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-12549 Filed 5-27-16; 8:45 am]
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