[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 8, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68644-68646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31814]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Artouste III Series 
Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Turbomeca Artouste III 
series turboshaft engines. This proposal would require smoke emissions 
checks after every ground engine shutdown. If smoke is detected, this 
AD would require inspecting for fuel flow. If fuel flow is not 
detected, the engine may have injection wheel cracks, which would 
require removing the engine from service for repair; if fuel flow is 
detected, the engine may have a malfunctioning electric fuel cock, 
which would require removing the electric fuel cock from service and 
replacing with a serviceable part. This proposal is prompted by reports 
of cracked injection wheels. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to prevent injection wheel cracks, which could result in 
an in-flight engine shutdown.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 7, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be submitted to the Rules 
Docket by using the following Internet address: ``9-ane-
[email protected]''. Comments may be inspected at this location between 
8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone +33 05 59 64 
40 00, fax +33 05 59 64 60 80. This information may be examined at the 
FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glorianne Niebuhr, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 
238-7132, fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted to the address specified above. All communications 
received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, 
will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The 
proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of the 
comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before

[[Page 68645]]

and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for 
examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public 
contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filed in 
the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 99-NE-33-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA) that an unsafe condition may exist on 
Turbomeca Artouste III B-B1-D series turboshaft engines. The DGAC 
advises that cracks have been reported on the rear face of the 
injection wheels, which can lead to fuel leakage into the turbine shaft 
tube during operation. When the engine is shut down, fuel flows into 
the combustion chamber, which could result in a slight increase of 
rundown time and/or emissions of smoke through the exhaust pipe, the 
air intake, or the turbine casing drain after the rotating assembly has 
stopped. This condition may be caused by the thermal stresses to which 
the injection wheel is subjected or a malfunctioning electric fuel 
cock. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in injection 
wheel cracks, which could result in an in-flight engine shutdown.

Service Information

    Turbomeca has issued Artouste III Service Bulletin (SB) No. 218 72 
0099, dated September 14, 1998, that specifies procedures for smoke 
emission checks, and fuel flow inspections if smoke is detected. The 
DGAC classified this SB as mandatory and issued AD 98-432(A) in order 
to assure the airworthiness of these engines in France

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    This engine model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.

Proposed Actions

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other engines of the same type design registered in 
the United States, the proposed AD would require inspecting for fuel 
flow. If fuel flow is not detected, the engine may have injection wheel 
cracks, which would require removing the engine from service for 
repair; if fuel flow is detected, the engine may have a malfunctioning 
electric fuel cock, which would require removing the electric fuel cock 
from service and replacing with a serviceable part. The actions would 
be required to be accomplished in accordance with the SB described 
previously.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 2,279 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 184 engines installed on 
rotorcraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 1 work hour per engine to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $3,500 per engine. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $655,040.

Regulatory Impact

    This proposal does not have federalism implications, as defined in 
Executive Order No. 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication 
of this proposal.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as 
follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Turbomeca: Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD.

    Applicability: Turbomeca Artouste III B-B1-D series turboshaft 
engines, installed on but not limited to Eurocopter SA 315 LAMA and 
SA 316 Alouette III helicopters.

    Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine 
identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of 
whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area 
subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been 
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the 
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with 
paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment 
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition 
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific 
proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent injection wheel cracks, which could result in an in-
flight engine shutdown, accomplish the following:

Smoke Check

    (a) Following every engine ground shutdown, accomplish the 
following in accordance with Turbomeca Artouste III Service Bulletin 
(SB) No. 218 72 0099, dated September 14, 1998:
    (1) After every flight, check for smoke emissions through the 
exhaust pipe, air

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intake, or turbine casing drain during rundown and after every 
engine shutdown. If a smoke emission has been noticed, check the 
fuel system before the next flight to identify the origin of the 
smoke emissions.
    (2) If smoke is not detected, no action is required until the 
next engine ground shutdown.
    (3) If smoke is detected, inspect for fuel flow in accordance 
with paragraph 2.B.(1) and 2.B.(2) of the SB.
    (i) If fuel flow is not detected, prior to further flight, 
remove the engine from service and replace with a serviceable 
engine.
    (ii) If fuel flow is detected, remove the electric fuel cock 
from service and replace with a serviceable part in accordance with 
section 2.B.(4) and 2.B.(5) of the referenced SB.
    (iii) Before entry into service, perform an engine ground run 
and check the fuel system again for smoke emissions through the 
exhaust pipe, air intake, or turbine casing drain during engine 
rundown and after shut-down; if smoke emissions still remain after 
replacement of the electric fuel cock, prior to further flight, 
remove the engine from service and replace with a serviceable 
engine.
    (b) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable engine is defined 
as an engine that does not exhibit smoke emissions.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office. 
Operators shall submit their request through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.

Ferry Flights

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the rotorcraft to a location where 
the inspection requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 1, 1999.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-31814 Filed 12-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U