[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7084-7086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3473]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NE-43-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 Turboshaft 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to adopt a 
new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Turbomeca S.A. 
Arriel 1 series turboshaft engines. This proposal would require initial 
and repetitive visual inspections for ingestive erosion, and cleaning 
if necessary, of M02 and M03 modules. This proposal is prompted by 
reports from the manufacturer of ingestive erosion of M02 and M03 
modules. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent an unbalance of the gas generator rotating assembly which may 
lead to deterioration of the gas generator rear bearing and uncommanded 
engine shutdown.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 14, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NE-43-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location, by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may also be sent via 
the Internet using the following address: ``[email protected]''. 
Comments sent via the Internet must contain the docket number in the 
subject line.

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:

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 in triplicate 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 action 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2002-NE-43-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRM's

    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. 2002-NE-43-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

[[Page 7085]]

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 S.A. Arriel 1 A, 1 A1, 1 A2, 1 B, 1 C, 1 C1, 1 C2, 1 D, 1 D1, 
1 E, 1 E2, 1 K, 1 K1, 1 S, and 1 S1 turboshaft engines. The DGAC 
advises that approximately 225 of the Arriel engine fleet operates in a 
dusty or erosive atmospheric environment, containing substances such as 
laterite, sand, volcanic ash, and chemical particles. This atmospheric 
environment can lead to dust accumulation and unbalance of the gas 
generator rotating assembly, which may lead to deterioration of the gas 
generator rear bearing and also to uncommanded engine shutdown.

Bilateral Agreement Information

    This engine model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec.  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 Requirements of This AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 turboshaft engines of 
the same type design that are used on helicopters registered in the 
United States, the proposed AD would require initial and repetitive 
visual inspections for ingestive erosion, and cleaning if necessary, of 
M02 and M03 modules.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 3,560 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that about 225 of the 900 engines 
installed on aircraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this 
proposed AD. The FAA also estimates that it would take approximately 
0.2 work hour per engine to perform each axial compressor erosion 
inspection, and take approximately 40 work hours per engine to perform 
the gas generator rotor assembly cleaning, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost of 
the proposed AD to perform one inspection and one cleaning to U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $542,700.

Regulatory Analysis

    This proposed 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 proposed rule.
    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 S.A.: Docket No. 2002-NE-43-AD.
    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 A, 1 A1, 1 A2, 1 B, 1 C, 1 C1, 1 C2, 1 D, 
1 D1, 1 E, 1 E2, 1 K, 1 K1, 1 S, and 1 S1 turboshaft engines. These 
engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter AS 350, AS 
350B1, AS 350B2, AS 365C, AS 365C2, AS 365N, AS 365N1, AS 365N2, BK 
117C1, BK 117C2, Augusta A109 K2, and Sikorsky S76 C 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 an unbalance of the gas generator rotating assembly 
which may lead to deterioration of the gas generator rear bearing 
and also to uncommanded engine shutdown, do the following:

Initial Inspections and Cleaning

    (a) For engines that have been operated in a dusty or erosive 
atmospheric environment containing substances such as laterite, 
sand, volcanic ash, and chemical particles, and engines for which 
the operating environment cannot be determined, do the following:
    (1) Perform an initial visual inspection for erosion of the 
axial compressor, within 50 operating hours after the effective date 
of this AD. Information on inspecting can be found in Turbomeca S.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 72 0230, dated October 16, 
1998.

Modification TU 175 Not Incorporated

    (2) For engines that do not have Modification TU 175 
incorporated, if axial compressor erosion is above 1.5 millimeters 
in area ``D'' as defined in the engine maintenance manual, and if 
the M03 module has operated more than 200 hours with this M02 
module, clean the M03 module within the next 50 operating hours. 
Information on cleaning can be found in Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 
72 0230, dated October 16, 1998.

Modification TU 175 Incorporated

    (3) For engines that have Modification TU 175 incorporated, if 
axial compressor erosion inspection requires the M02 module to be 
removed, and if the M03 module has operated more than 400 hours with 
this M02 module, clean the M03 module within the next 50 operating 
hours. Information on cleaning can be found in Turbomeca S.A. MSB 
No. 292 72 0230, dated October 16, 1998.

Reconditioning and Checks

    (b) Perform reconditioning and checks of the engines. 
Information on reconditioning and checks can be found in Turbomeca 
S.A. MSB No. 292 72 0230, dated October 16, 1998.

Repetitive Inspections

    (c) Repeat axial compressor erosion inspections within every 200 
operating

[[Page 7086]]

hours-since-last-inspection (HSLI) for engines that do not have 
Modification TU 175 incorporated, and within every 400 operating 
HSLI, for engines that have Modification TU 175 incorporated, as 
specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.

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.


    Note 3: A list of authorized repair centers qualified to carry 
out gas generator rotating assembly maintenance and cleaning may be 
obtained from Turbomeca S.A. or 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale de L'Aviation Civile airworthiness directive 1990-064(A), 
Revision 1, dated March 21, 2000.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 5, 2003.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-3473 Filed 2-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P