[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 11, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19299-19300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7761]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-11-AD; Amendment 39-11652; AD 2000-06-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Makila 1 Series Turboshaft 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Turbomeca Makila 1 series turboshaft engines, that 
requires 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. This amendment is 
prompted by a 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: Effective June 12, 2000. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications in this rule is approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register as of June 12, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in the 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Turbomeca Makila 1 series 
turboshaft engines was published in the Federal Register on December 8, 
1999 (64 FR 68642). That action proposed to 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. That action was prompted by report of an in-flight 
engine shutdown due to roller bearings contaminated by certain types of 
detergent oil. That condition, if not corrected, could result in an in-
flight engine shutdown due to roller bearing failure following oil 
contamination.

Comments Received

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received.

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 AD, that it would take 
approximately 14 work hours per engine to accomplish the actions, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $4,200.

Regulatory Impact

    This rule does not have federalism implications, as defined in 
Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication 
of this rule.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) Is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy

[[Page 19300]]

of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided 
under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to 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

    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:


2000-06-11 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-11652. Docket 99-NE-11-AD.

    Applicability: Turbomeca Makila 1A and 1A1 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 centistoke 
(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 22, 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 22, 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 22, 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 
sections 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with Turbomeca Makila 1 SB No. A298 71 0137, dated December 22, 
1997. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director 
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 12, 2000.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 21, 2000.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 00-7761 Filed 4-10-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U