[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 8, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68642-68644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31815]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NE-11-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Makila 1 Series Turboshaft
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to Turbomeca Makila 1 series
turboshaft engines. This proposal would require a one-time visual
inspection of the scavenge and lubrication systems for
[[Page 68643]]
obstruction due to coke deposits, then reconditioning of the engine oil
system prior to return to service. This proposal is prompted by report
of an in-flight engine shutdown due to roller bearings contaminated by
certain types of detergent oil. The actions specified by the proposed
AD are intended to prevent in-flight engine shutdown due to roller
bearing failure following oil contamination.
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-11-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 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-11-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-11-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 Makila 1 series turboshaft engines. The DGAC advises that it
has received a report of an in-flight engine shutdown due to roller
bearings contaminated by 7.5 cSt oil followed by a more detergent 5 cSt
oil. The investigation revealed coke accumulating in the rear bearing
chamber. These coke deposits caused complete or partial obstruction of
the scavenge and lubrication systems, causing the roller bearings of
the M03 and M05 modules to be damaged. This condition, if not
corrected, can result in in-flight engine shutdown due to roller
bearing failure following oil contamination.
Service Information
Turbomeca has issued Service Bulletin Makila 1 (SB) No. A298 71
0137, dated December 22, 1997, that specifies procedures for visual
inspection of the scavenge and lubrication systems for obstruction due
to coke deposits, and reconditioning of the engine oil system. The DGAC
classified this SB as mandatory and issued airworthiness directive (AD)
98-075(A), dated February 11, 1998, 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 a one-time visual
inspection of the scavenge and lubrication systems for obstruction due
to coke deposits, then reconditioning of the engine oil system prior to
return to service. The actions would be required to be accomplished in
accordance with the SB described previously.
Economic Analysis
There are approximately 1,076 engines of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 5 engines installed on aircraft
of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would
take approximately 14 work hours per engine to accomplish the proposed
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $4,200.
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
[[Page 68644]]
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-11-AD.
Applicability: Turbomeca Makila 1A and 1A1 series turboshaft
engines, installed on but not limited to Aerospatiale AS 332 Super
Puma, AS 532 Cougar, and SA 330 Puma 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 (b) 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 in-flight engine shutdown due to roller bearing
failure following oil contamination, accomplish the following:
Inspection and Repair
(a) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective
date of this AD, accomplish the following:
(1) For engines that have been operated with 7.5 cSt oil for
more than 100 hours TIS, and for engines whose operators can not
show documentation that the engine has been operated with 7.5 cSt
oil for 100 hours or less TIS, accomplish the following:
(i) Perform a one-time visual inspection of the scavenge and
lubrication systems for obstruction due to coke deposits and repair
as required, in accordance with section 2.A. and 2.B. of the
``Instructions for incorporation'' section of Turbomeca Makila 1
Service Bulletin (SB) No. A298 71 0137, dated December 12, 1997.
(ii) Replace the oil with approved oil other than 7.5 cSt and
then recondition and check the engine oil system in accordance with
section 2.C. and 2.D.(1) of Turbomeca Makila 1 SB No. A298 71 0137,
dated December 12, 1997, prior to return to service.
(2) For engines that have been operated with 7.5 cSt oil for 100
hours or less TIS, replace the oil with approved oil other than 7.5
cSt and then recondition the engine oil system prior to return to
service, in accordance with section 1.A.(2)(b) of Turbomeca Makila 1
SB No. A298 71 0137, dated December 12, 1997.
Alternative Method of Compliance
(b) 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
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where the
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. 99-31815 Filed 12-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U