[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 145 (Thursday, July 28, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49575-49577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17719]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2016-6990; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-14-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1, 1A, 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1B2, 1C, 1C1, 1C2,
1D, 1D1, 1E, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. This proposed AD
was prompted by an anomaly that occurred during the grinding operation
required by modification TU376, which increases the clearance between
the rear curvic coupling of the centrifugal impeller and the fuel
injection manifold. This proposed AD would require removing the
centrifugal impeller and replacing with a part eligible for
installation. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the
centrifugal impeller, uncontained centrifugal impeller release, damage
to the engine, and damage to the helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this NPRM by September 26, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74 40 00; fax:
33 (0)5 59 74 45 15. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
781-238-7125.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
6990; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received,
and other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-
647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Haberlen, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7770; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-6990;
Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-14-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite
[[Page 49576]]
comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by
the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those
comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD 2016-0090, dated May 10, 2016 (referred to hereinafter as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:
Turbomeca reported an anomaly that was generated during the
grinding operation associated to the application of modification
TU376, which increases the clearance between the rear curvic
coupling of the centrifugal impeller and the fuel injection
manifold.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to crack initiation
and propagation in the centrifugal impeller bore area, possibly
resulting in centrifugal impeller failure, with consequent damage
to, and reduced control of, the helicopter. To address this
potential unsafe condition, the life of the affected centrifugal
impellers was reduced and Turbomeca published Mandatory Service
Bulletin (MSB) 292 72 0848 to inform operators about the life
reduction and to provide instructions for the replacement of the
affected centrifugal impellers.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires replacement of
each affected centrifugal impeller before it exceeds the applicable
reduced life limit.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-6990.
Related Service Information
Turbomeca S.A. has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 292 72
0848, Version B, dated April 13, 2016. The MSB describes procedures for
reducing the life limit of the centrifugal impellers affected by an
anomaly that occurred during the grinding operation required by
modification TU376. This service information is reasonably available
because the interested parties have access to it through their normal
course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of France,
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with the European Community, EASA has notified us
of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information
referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design. This proposed AD would require removal of the centrifugal
impeller from service before exceeding the reduced life limit shown in
Appendix 1 of EASA AD 2016-0090, dated May 10, 2016, and replacement
with a part eligible for installation.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 3 engines installed on
helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about
22 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost about $96,518 per engine.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $295,164.
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 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 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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and
(4) 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 (AD):
Turbomeca S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2016-6990; Directorate Identifier
2016-NE-14-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by September 26, 2016.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to certain Arriel 1, 1A, 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1B2, 1C,
1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines,
with modification TU376 installed.
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by an anomaly that occurred during the
grinding operation required by modification TU376, which increases
the clearance between the rear curvic coupling of the centrifugal
impeller and the fuel injection manifold. We are issuing this AD to
prevent failure of the centrifugal impeller, uncontained centrifugal
impeller release, damage to the engine, and damage to the
helicopter.
[[Page 49577]]
(e) Actions and Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(1) Remove from service, any centrifugal impeller listed in
Table 1 to paragraph (e) of this AD, before exceeding the applicable
cycles since new (CSN) and replace with a centrifugal impeller not
listed in Table 1 to paragraph (e) of this AD.
Table 1 to Paragraph (e)--Centrifugal Impeller CSNs
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Part No. Serial No. CSN
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0292254040........................ 44.................. 5,129
0292254040........................ 1762FT.............. 11,476
0292254050........................ 1676CAR............. 6,281
0292254050........................ 5333OTT............. 5,495
0292254050........................ 5017OTT............. 5,491
0292254050........................ 1136CAR............. 8,734
0292254050........................ 3655OTT............. 4,600
0292254050........................ 1757CAR............. 7,913
0292254050........................ 1738CAR............. 10,640
0292254050........................ 1149CAR............. 12,273
0292254050........................ 2677OTT............. 11,145
0292254050........................ 3109OTT............. 10,662
0292254050........................ 3496OTT............. 5,562
0292254050........................ 2074CAR............. 7,423
729225293A........................ 290CAR.............. 6,326
729225293A........................ 1227FT.............. 8,139
729225293A........................ 504FB............... 4,600
729225293A........................ 2517OTT............. 9,732
729225293A........................ 2165OTT............. 6,163
729225293A........................ 2194FT.............. 11,461
729225293A........................ 1331OTT............. 12,513
729225293A........................ 1301FT.............. 7,262
729225293A........................ 1567FT.............. 6,305
729225293A........................ 783FB............... 8,307
729225293A........................ 98OTT............... 9,492
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(2) Reserved.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request. You may email your request to: [email protected].
(g) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Philip Haberlen,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781-238-7770; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) Refer to MCAI, European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2016-0090,
dated May 10, 2016, for more information. You may examine the MCAI
in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2016-6990.
(3) Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 292 72 0848,
Version B, dated April 13, 2016, can be obtained from Turbomeca
S.A., using the contact information in paragraph (g)(4) of this
proposed AD.
(4) For service information identified in this proposed AD,
contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74
40 00; fax: 33 (0)5 59 74 45 15.
(5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
781-238-7125.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 21, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-17719 Filed 7-27-16; 8:45 am]
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