[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 202 (Thursday, October 19, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61642-61643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17328]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25730; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-31-AD; 
Amendment 39-14796; AD 2006-21-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Turmo IV A and IV C Series 
Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Turbomeca Turmo IV A and IV C series turboshaft engines. This AD 
requires identifying, inspecting and replacing flexible lubrication 
pipes manufactured after April 1, 2003. If both engines on the same 
helicopter each have an affected pipe, then this AD requires replacing 
one of the affected pipes before further flight. This AD also requires 
initial and repetitive borescope inspections of affected pipes, visual 
inspections for oil leakage, and visual inspections of the oil filter, 
on engines that are not required to have an affected pipe replaced 
before further flight by this AD. This AD results from 7 reports of oil 
leakage due to the deterioration of flexible lubrication pipes 
manufactured after April 1, 2003. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
dual-engine failure on a twin-engine helicopter.

DATES: Effective November 3, 2006.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by December 18, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40 
00, fax 33 05 59 74 45 15 for the service information identified in 
this 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; 
telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), 
which is the airworthiness authority for the European Community, 
recently notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on certain 
Turbomeca Turmo IV A and IV C series turboshaft engines. EASA advises 
that 7 reports were received of oil leakage due to the deterioration of 
flexible lubrication pipes, part number (P/N) 0 249 92 813 0, installed 
on Turbomeca Turmo III C4 (military version) turboshaft engines. 
Turbomeca is still investigating the cause of the deterioration, but 
links a manufacturing process change, applied by the pipe manufacturer, 
in 2003. The same process was used to manufacture flexible lubrication 
pipes, P/N 0 249 92 916 0. Either P/N pipe could be installed on Turmo 
IV A and IV C series turboshaft engines.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Turbomeca 
Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A249 72 0802, Update No. 1, 
dated August 3, 2006. That Alert MSB describes procedures for 
identifying affected flexible lubrication pipes by their curing batch 
number, and replacing one of the affected pipes on a twin-engine 
helicopter to prevent dual-engine failure. That Alert MSB also 
describes procedures for performing repetitive borescope inspections of 
all other affected pipes and visual inspections of the oil filter. EASA 
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD 2006-0240-E 
in order to ensure the airworthiness of these Turbomeca Turmo IV A and 
IV C series turboshaft engines in Europe.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    These Turbomeca Turmo IV A and IV C series turboshaft engines are 
manufactured in France and 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. Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, 
EASA kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. We have 
examined the findings of EASA, 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 This AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other Turbomeca Turmo IV A and IV C series turboshaft 
engines of the same type design. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
dual-engine failure on a twin-engine helicopter. This AD requires 
identifying affected flexible lubrication pipes by their curing batch 
number, and replacing the affected pipe before further flight, on one 
engine if both engines on the same helicopter each have an affected 
pipe. This AD also requires initial and repetitive borescope 
inspections of flexible lubrication pipes and visual inspections of the 
oil filter, on engines that do not have the affected pipe replaced 
before further flight.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Interim Action

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

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and

[[Page 61643]]

was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment; 
however, we invite you to send us any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2006-25730; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-NE-31-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need 
to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the DMS Web 
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person at the Docket Management 
Facility Docket Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 
647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Department of 
Transportation Nassif Building at the street address stated in 
ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
the DMS receives them.

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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Under 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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2006-21-11 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-14796. Docket No. FAA-2006-25730; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-31-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 
3, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Turmo IV A and IV C series 
turboshaft engines with flexible lubrication pipes, part number (P/
N) 0 249 92 813 0 or P/N 0 249 92 916 0, installed. These engines 
are installed on but not limited to, Aerospatiale SA 330--PUMA 
helicopters.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from 7 reports of oil leakage due to the 
deterioration of certain flexible lubrication pipes, part number (P/
N) 0 249 92 813 0. We are issuing this AD to prevent dual-engine 
failure on a twin-engine helicopter.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.
    Initial Actions
    (f) Before further flight:
    (1) Identify the curing batch of the flexible lubrication pipes.
    (2) If the two engines installed on the same helicopter have 
pipes with a curing batch of ``2T03'' (meaning 2nd quarter of 2003) 
or subsequent batch, replace one of the pipes with a pipe having a 
curing batch before batch ``2T03''.
    (3) On the other engine, or on a helicopter that has only one 
engine affected by this AD, borescope-inspect the pipe for 
deterioration, visually inspect for oil leakage, and visually 
inspect the oil filter for black particle deterioration from the 
pipe. Replace the pipe if deterioration or leakage is found, with a 
pipe having a curing batch before batch ``2T03''.

Repetitive Actions

    (g) Within every additional 25 operating hours, on engines still 
having an affected flexible lubrication pipe, borescope-inspect the 
pipe for deterioration, visually inspect pipe for oil leakage, and 
visually inspect the oil filter for black particle deterioration 
from the pipe. Replace the pipe if deterioration or leakage is 
found, with a pipe having a curing batch before batch ``2T03''.
    (h) Information on performing the initial and repetitive actions 
in this AD can be found in Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. A249 72 0802, Update No. 1, dated August 3, 2006.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) 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

    (j) European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directive No. 
2006-0240-E, dated August 11, 2006, also addresses the subject of 
this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 12, 2006.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6-17328 Filed 10-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P