[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 120 (Thursday, June 23, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36355-36357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12414]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 120 / Thursday, June 23, 2005 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 36355]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Artouste III Series 
Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) for Turbomeca Artouste III series turboshaft engines. 
That AD currently requires smoke emission checks after every ground 
engine shutdown, and if necessary, additional checks and possibly 
removing the engine from service. That action also requires inspection 
of central labyrinths not previously inspected, or not replaced after 
the engine logged 1,500 operating hours, and, replacement if necessary. 
That action also requires the removal of injection wheels at a new 
lower life limit. This proposed AD includes the same requirements as 
the existing AD, but reduces the compliance time for the initial 
inspection of the central labyrinth and adds repetitive inspections of 
the central labyrinth. This proposed AD results from reports and 
analyses of in-flight engine shutdowns occurring since we issued AD 
2002-22-11. We are proposing this AD to prevent injection wheel cracks 
and excessive central labyrinth wear, which could result in an in-
flight engine shutdown.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by August 22, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NE-33-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.
    Contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 
40 00, fax 33 05 59 74 45 15, for the service information identified in 
this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (781) 238-7175; 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 99-NE-33-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. 99-NE-33-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    On October 28, 2002, the FAA issued AD 2002-22-11, Amendment 39-
12937 (67 FR 68022, November 8, 2002). That AD requires smoke emission 
checks after every ground engine shutdown. When shutting down the 
engine, fuel flows into the combustion chamber, which could result in a 
slight increase of rundown time or emission of smoke through the 
exhaust pipe, the air intake, or the turbine casing drain after the 
rotating assembly has stopped. This condition might be caused by the 
thermal stresses to which the injection wheel is subjected or a 
malfunctioning electric fuel cock. If there is smoke, that action 
requires inspecting for fuel flow. If there is no fuel flow, the engine 
might have injection wheel cracks, which would require removing the 
engine from service for repair. If there is fuel flow, the engine might 
have a malfunctioning electric fuel cock, which would require removing 
the electric fuel cock from service and replacing it with a serviceable 
part. That action also requires inspection of central labyrinths not 
previously inspected, or not replaced after the engine logged 1,500 
operating hours, and, replacement if necessary. That action also 
requires the removal of injection wheels at a new lower life limit. 
These conditions, if not corrected, could result in injection wheel 
cracks, which could result in an in-flight engine shutdown.

Actions Since AD 2002-22-11 was Issued

    Since AD 2002-22-11 was issued, The Direction Generale de 
L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for 
France, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition might continue to 
exist on Turbomeca Artouste III B, B1, and D series turboshaft engines. 
The DGAC advises that operators have continued to report cracks on the 
rear face of the injection wheels, which can lead to fuel leakage into 
the turbine shaft tube during operation. Turbomeca has

[[Page 36356]]

reviewed the latest in-service data that shows that in-flight engine 
shutdowns have continued to occur. As a result, this proposed AD 
includes the same requirements as the existing AD, but would reduce the 
compliance time for the initial inspection of the central labyrinth and 
adds a requirement for repetitive inspections of the central labyrinth.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Turbomeca 
Artouste III Service Bulletin (SB) No A218 72 0099, Update 1, dated 
June 6, 2001, that specifies procedures for smoke emission checks, and 
fuel flow inspections if smoke is detected. We have also reviewed and 
approved Turbomeca Artouste III Service Bulletin (SB) No. A218 72 
00100, Update 2, dated January 23, 2004, that specifies procedures for 
inspection and replacement of central labyrinths. The DGAC classified 
these SB's as mandatory and issued AD F-2004-016, dated February 4, 
2004, in order to assure the airworthiness of these Turbomeca Artouste 
III series engines in France.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The manufacturer calls for a check for smoke emission through the 
exhaust pipe, air intake, or turbine casing drain during rundown and 
after every engine shutdown. This proposal will require the same check, 
except it will only be required after the last flight of the day. Also, 
the manufacturer calls for inspection of the central labyrinth using 
ratios based on cycles per hour starting with the published date of the 
SB. This proposal will require the same inspection ratios beginning at 
the effective date of the proposed AD.

Bilateral Agreement Information

    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. Under this bilateral 
airworthiness agreement, the DGAC kept us informed of the situation 
described above. We have 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    Since we have identified an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Turbomeca engines of the same type design 
that are used on helicopters registered in the United States, the 
proposed AD would require:
     Smoke emission checks after each last flight of the day.
     If there is smoke, then inspect for fuel flow.
     If there is no fuel flow, remove the engine from service 
for repair.
     If there is fuel flow, remove the electric fuel cock from 
service and replace with a serviceable part.
     Initial inspection of central labyrinths within 1,750 
hours Time-Since-New or 50 hours from the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later.
     Repetitive inspection of central labyrinths within 1,750 
hours time-since-last inspection.
    The proposed AD would require that you do these actions using the 
service information described previously.

Interim Action

    These actions are interim actions and we may take further 
rulemaking actions in the future.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 1,062 Turbomeca Artouste III engines of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 59 engines 
installed on helicopters of U.S. registry would be affected by this 
proposed AD. We also estimate that it would take about 31 work hours 
per engine to perform the proposed actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost about $8,100 per 
engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the proposed AD would cost 
U.S. operators $596,785.

Special Flight Permits Paragraph Removed

    Paragraph (e) of the current AD, AD 2002-22-11, contains a 
paragraph pertaining to special flight permits. Even though this final 
rule does not contain a similar paragraph, we have made no changes with 
regard to the use of special flight permits to operate the airplane to 
a repair facility to do the work required by this AD. In July 2002, we 
published a new 14 CFR part 39 that contains a general authority 
regarding special flight permits and airworthiness directives; see 
Docket No. FAA-2004-8460, Amendment 39-9474 (69 FR 47998, July 22, 
2002). Thus, when we now supersede ADs we will not include a specific 
paragraph on special flight permits unless we want to limit the use of 
that general authority granted in section 39.23.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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 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 at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES.

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:

[[Page 36357]]

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 removing Amendment 39-12937 (67 FR 
68022, November 8, 2002) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
to read as follows:

Turbomeca: Docket No. 99-NE-32-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by August 22, 
2005.

Applicability

    (b) This AD applies to Turbomeca Artouste III B, B1, and D 
series turboshaft engines with injection wheels part numbers (P/Ns) 
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.

Compliance

    (c) 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 engine 
shutdowns, do the following:

Smoke Check

    (d) Following every engine ground shutdown, do the following 
using Turbomeca Artouste III Service Bulletin (SB) No. 218 72 0099, 
dated September 14, 1998:
    (1) After every flight, check for smoke emissions through the 
exhaust pipe, air intake, or turbine casing drain during rundown and 
after every engine shutdown. If a smoke emission has been noticed, 
check the fuel system before the next flight to identify the origin 
of the smoke emissions.
    (2) If smoke is not detected, no action is required until the 
next engine ground shutdown.
    (3) If smoke is detected, inspect for fuel flow in accordance 
with paragraph 2.B.(1) and 2.B.(2) of the referenced SB.
    (i) If fuel flow is not detected, prior to further flight, 
remove the engine from service and replace with a serviceable 
engine.
    (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 SB.
    (iii) Before entry into service, perform an engine ground run 
and check the fuel system again for smoke emissions through the 
exhaust pipe, air intake, or turbine casing drain during engine 
rundown and after shut-down; if smoke emissions still remain after 
replacement of the electric fuel cock, prior to further flight, 
remove the engine from service and replace with a serviceable 
engine.
    (e) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable engine is defined 
as an engine that does not exhibit smoke emissions.

Central Labyrinth Inspection

    (f) Perform checks and inspections of the central labyrinth and, 
if necessary, replace the central labyrinth, using paragraph 2. of 
Turbomeca ASB No. A218 72 0100, Update 2, dated January 23, 2004, 
and the following Table 1:

                      Table 1.--Inspection Schedule
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Initial inspection                  Repetitive inspection
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prior to 1,750 hours Time-Since-New   1,750 hours TSLI.
 or 1,750 hours Time-Since-Last
 Inspection (TSLI), or 50 hours from
 the effective date of this AD,
 whichever occurs later.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) DGAC airworthiness directive F-2004-016, dated February 4, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 15, 2005.
Robert E. Guyotte,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12414 Filed 6-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P