[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 217 (Friday, November 8, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68022-68024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28114]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD; Amendment 39-12937; AD 2002-22-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Artouste III Series 
Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), that is applicable to Turbomeca Artouste III series turboshaft 
engines with injection wheels part numbers (P/N's) 218.25.700.0, 
218.25.704.0, 243.25.709.0, 243.25.713.0, 0.218.27.705.0, 
0.218.27.709.0, and 0.218.27.713.0 installed. That AD currently 
requires smoke emission checks after every ground engine shutdown. If 
smoke is detected, that AD requires inspecting for fuel flow. If fuel 
flow is not detected, the engine may have injection wheel cracks, which 
requires removing the engine from service for repair. If fuel flow is 
detected, the engine may have a malfunctioning electric fuel cock, 
which requires removing the electric fuel cock from service and 
replacing with a serviceable part. This amendment has similar 
requirements as the original AD, except that the smoke emissions are to 
be checked after the last flight of the day, as opposed to after every 
flight, as required by the original AD. This amendment also requires 
inspection of central labyrinths not previously inspected or not 
replaced after the engine logged 1,500 operating hours, and, 
replacement of these labyrinths if necessary. This amendment is 
prompted by reports and analyses of in-flight shutdowns (IFSD's) 
occurring since the issuance of AD 2000-06-12. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent injection wheel cracks and excessive 
central labyrinth wear, which could result in an IFSD.

DATES: Effective December 13, 2002. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of December 13, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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, by 
appointment, at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),

[[Page 68023]]

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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Antonio Cancelliere, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (781) 238-7751; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 2000-06-12, 
Amendment 39-11653 (65 FR 19300, April 11, 2000), which is applicable 
to Turbomeca Artouste III B, B1, and D series turboshaft engines with 
injection wheels part numbers (P/N's) 218.25.700.0, 218.25.704.0, 
243.25.709.0, 243.25.713.0, 0.218.27.705.0, 0.218.27.709.0, and 
0.218.27.713.0 installed, was published in the Federal Register on May 
10, 2002, 67 FR 31737). That action proposed to require in accordance 
with Turbomeca Artouste III alert service bulletin (ASB) No. A218 72 
0099, Update 1, dated June 6, 2001, smoke emission checks after every 
ground engine shutdown. If smoke is detected, that action proposed to 
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. That action also proposed to require the smoke 
emissions to be checked after the last flight of the day as opposed to 
after every flight as required by the original AD. That action also 
proposed to require inspection of central labyrinths not previously 
inspected or not replaced after the engine logged 1,500 operating 
hours, and, replacement if necessary, in accordance with Turbomeca 
Artouste III ASB No. A218 72 0100, Update 1, dated March 13, 2001. That 
action also proposed to require the removal of injection wheels at a 
new lower life limit.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received.

Injection Wheels Not Life-Limited

    One commenter, the manufacturer, states that injection wheels on 
Turbomeca Artouste III series turboshaft engines are not life-limited. 
The commenter requests that the FAA remove paragraph (c) and (d) of the 
proposal. Paragraph (c) states that injection wheels are now life-
limited to no more than 3,000 flight hours time-since-new (TSN) or 
time-since-overhaul (TSO), or 6,000 cycles-since-new (CSN) or cycles-
since overhaul (CSO), whichever occurs first. Paragraph (d) requires 
replacement of all injection wheels that are over the life limits, 
before further flight, and to replace all other injection wheels before 
reaching the new life limits.
    The FAA agrees. The FAA misunderstood the intent of the Direction 
Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness 
authority for France, regarding their reference in AD 2001-235(A) to 
the use of injection wheel limits. The 3,000 flight hours TSN or TSO, 
and 6,000 CSN or CSO limits are in the manufacturer's manual and are 
not mandated by the DGAC. Therefore, the FAA has removed the paragraphs 
for life limits from the final rule.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Regulatory Analysis

    This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined 
in Executive Order 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 final 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 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it 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, 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 removing Amendment 39-11653 (65 FR 
19300, April 11, 2000) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
Amendment 39-12937, to read as follows:

2002-22-11 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-12937. Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD. 
Supersedes AD 2000-06-12, Amendment 39-11653.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Turbomeca Artouste III B, B1, and D series turboshaft engines 
with injection wheels part numbers (P/N's) 218.25.700.0, 
218.25.704.0, 243.25.709.0, 243.25.713.0, 0.218.27.705.0, 
0.218.27.709.0, and 0.218.27.713.0. These engines are installed on, 
but not limited to Eurocopter SA 315 LAMA and SA 316 Alouette III 
helicopters.

    Note 1: This 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 (d) 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: Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, 
unless already done.
    To prevent injection wheel cracks and excessive central 
labyrinth wear, which could result in an in-flight shutdown (IFSD), 
do the following:

[[Page 68024]]

Smoke Check

    (a) Do the following in accordance with Turbomeca Artouste III 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A218 72 0099, Update 1, dated June 
6, 2001:
    (1) After the last flight of every day, check for smoke emission 
through the exhaust pipe, air intake, or turbine casing drain during 
rundown.
    (2) If smoke is detected, inspect for fuel flow in accordance 
with paragraph 2.B.(1) and 2.B.(2) of the ASB.
    (i) If fuel flow is not detected, remove the engine from service 
and replace with a serviceable engine before further flight.
    (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 ASB.
    (iii) Before entry into service, perform an engine ground run 
and check the fuel system again for smoke emission through the 
exhaust pipe, air intake, or turbine casing drain during engine 
rundown and after shutdown. If smoke emission still remains after 
replacement of the electric fuel cock, before further flight, remove 
the engine from service and replace with a serviceable engine.

Central Labyrinth Inspection

    (b) If the central labyrinth has not been inspected or replaced 
since engine accumulation of 1,500 flight hours (FH) or more time-
since-new (TSN) or time-since-last-overhaul (TSO), perform the 
checks and inspections, and, if necessary, replace the central 
labyrinth, in accordance with paragraph 2 of the Instructions of 
Turbomeca Artouste III ASB No. A218 72 0100, Update 1, dated March 
13, 2001 and the following Table 1:

                      Table 1.--Inspection Schedule
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 For engine hours TSN, or TSO     And cycles/FH     Then inspect central
           that are:                ratio is:            labyrinth:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) More than 1,500 but fewer   (i) Above 2        Within 250 FH time-in-
 than 2,000.                     cycles.            service (TIS) after
                                                    the effective date
                                                    of this AD.
                                (ii) Below or      Within 500 FH TIS
                                 equal to 2         after the effective
                                 cycles.            date of this AD.
(2) 2,000 or more.............  Not applicable...  Within 50 FH TIS or 6
                                                    months after the
                                                    effective date of
                                                    this AD, whichever
                                                    occurs first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable engine is defined 
as an engine that does not exhibit smoke emission.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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 (ECO). 
Operators must submit their request through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, ECO.

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

Special Flight Permits

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  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 done.

Documents That Have Been Incorporated by Reference

    (f) The checks, inspections, and replacements must be done in 
accordance with the following Turbomeca Artouste III alert service 
bulletins (ASB's):

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              Document No.                          Pages              Revision                Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASB A218 72 0099.......................  All.......................            1  June 6, 2001.
    Total pages: 5
ASB A218 72 0100.......................  All.......................            1  March 13, 2001.
    Total pages: 7
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These incorporations by reference were 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. Copies 
may be inspected 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale de L'Aviation Civile airworthiness directive 2001-235(A), 
dated June 13, 2001.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on December 13, 2002.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 28, 2002.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-28114 Filed 11-7-02; 8:45 am]
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