[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 97 (Tuesday, May 20, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27492-27493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-12541]



[[Page 27492]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NE-05-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 2 B1, 2 B1A, 2 
B1A 1, and 2 K1 Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 2 B1, 2 B1A, 2 B1A 1, and 2 K1 turboshaft 
engines. This proposed AD would require replacement of the gas 
generator high pressure (HP) turbine disk before further flight after 
the engine has accumulated 5 minutes of operating time at the 2\1/2\ 
minute one engine inoperative (OEI) power rating. This proposed AD is 
prompted by a failure of an HP turbine blade during accelerated aging 
simulation tests performed by the manufacturer on an Arrius 2 B1A 
engine. The actions specified in this proposed AD are intended to 
prevent engine failure of the only operating engine while experiencing 
an OEI condition.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by July 21, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
    [sbull] By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 
2003-NE-05-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
    [sbull] By fax: (781) 238-7055.
    [sbull] By e-mail: [email protected].
    You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Turbomeca S.A., 64511 Bordes Cedex, France; telephone 33 05 59 64 
40 00, fax 33 05 59 64 60 80.
    You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA.

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

    We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-05-AD'' in the 
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of 
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with 
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and 
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. If a person contacts us through a nonwritten communication, and 
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will 
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You may get more information about 
plain language at http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service 
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the 
location.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 2 B1, 2 B1A, 2 B1A 
1, and 2 K1 turboshaft engines. The DGAC advises that the manufacturer 
has performed accelerated aging simulation tests on an Arrius 2 B1A 
engine. The simulation tests were interrupted due to a failure of an HP 
turbine blade while the engine was running at the ``one engine 
inoperative'' power rating. The manufacturer has concluded that 
prolonged exposure of the HP turbine disk and blades at the 2\1/2\ 
minute OEI power rating may cause high exhaust gas temperature to 
initiate a creeping phenomenon of the blade material, leading to blade 
and disk failure. To date, no such failure event in the worldwide fleet 
has been reported.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    These Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 2 B1, 2 B1A, 2 B1A 1, and 2 K1 
turboshaft engines, manufactured in France, are 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 us informed of the situation 
described above. We have examined the DGAC's findings, 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. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
replacement of the gas generator HP turbine disk before further flight 
after an engine's accumulated operating time at the 2\1/2\ minute OEI 
power rating exceeds 5 minutes.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the Proposed AD

    On July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 
FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This 
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, 
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This 
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this 
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in 
future AD actions.

Costs of Compliance

    There are approximately 396 Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 2 B1, 2 B1A, and 
2 B1A 1, turboshaft engines, and 57 Arrius 2 K1 turboshaft engines of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 57 engines 
installed on helicopters of U.S. registry would be affected by this 
proposed AD. To date, no failure events in the worldwide fleet have 
been reported. Since the engine operating time usage at the 2\1/2\ 
minute OEI power rating is very limited, no cost to U.S. operators is 
foreseen.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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

[[Page 27493]]

responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposal and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-05-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Turbomeca S.A.: Docket No. 2003-NE-05-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by July 21, 
2003.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD is applicable to Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 2 B1, 2 B1A, 
2 B1A 1, and 2 K1 turboshaft engines. These engines are installed 
on, but not limited to, Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH model EC135 T1 
and Agusta S.p.A. model A109 helicopters.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a failure of an HP turbine blade 
during accelerated aging simulation tests performed by the 
manufacturer on an Arrius 2 B1A engine. The actions specified in 
this AD are intended to prevent engine failure of the only operating 
engine while at one engine inoperative (OEI) condition.

Compliance

    (e) Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, unless 
already done.
    (f) After the effective date of this AD, replace the gas 
generator HP turbine disk before further flight after the engine has 
accumulated 5 minutes operating time at the 2\1/2\ minute OEI power 
rating.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) Alternative methods of compliance must be requested in 
accordance with 14 CFR part 39.19, and must be approved by the 
Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) None.

Related Information

    (i) The subject of this AD is addressed in DGAC airworthiness 
directive 2003-098(A), dated March 5, 2003, and Turbomeca S.A. Alert 
Service Letters No. 2174/02/ARRIUS2B1/19 and No. 2175/02/ARRIUS2K1/
3, both dated July 30, 2002.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 14, 2003.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-12541 Filed 5-19-03; 8:45 am]
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