80 FR 68475 - Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 214 (November 5, 2015)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Turbomeca S.A. ARRIEL 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 turboshaft engines with modification TU34 or TU34A installed. This proposed AD was prompted by torque conformation box (TCB) failures. This proposed AD would require inspecting the TCB for correct resistance values and removing TCBs that fail inspection before further flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the TCB which could lead to loss of engine thrust control and damage to the aircraft.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 214 (Thursday, November 5, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68475-68477]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28011]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3805; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-28-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 all 
Turbomeca S.A. ARRIEL 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 turboshaft engines 
with modification TU34 or TU34A installed. This proposed AD was 
prompted by torque conformation box (TCB) failures. This proposed AD 
would require inspecting the TCB for correct resistance values and 
removing TCBs that fail inspection before further flight. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent failure of the TCB which could lead to 
loss of engine thrust control and damage to the aircraft.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 4, 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, 12 New England Executive Park, 
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-2015-
3805; 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: Brian Kierstead, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7772; 
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.

[[Page 68476]]

FAA-2015-3805; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-28-AD'' at the beginning 
of your comments. We specifically invite 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 2015-0177, dated August 25, 2015 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    Several cases of torque conformation box (TCB) failures have 
been reported on engines incorporating mod TU34 or mod TU34A. 
Investigation concluded that these failures were caused by cracks on 
soldered joints of TCB resistors.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to limited power 
availability in a One Engine Inoperative (OEI) case, possibly 
resulting in reduced control of the helicopter.

    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-2015-3805.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Turbomeca S.A. has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 
72 2860, Version A, dated July 15, 2015. The MSB describes procedures 
for checking TCB resistance values. 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 of this NPRM.

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 inspecting the TCB for correct 
resistance values and removing TCBs that fail inspection.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 300 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry. We estimate that it would take about 1 
hour to perform an inspection. We also estimate that 20% of these 
engines would fail the inspection and require TCB removal, which would 
take about 1 hour. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. 
operators to be $30,600.

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-2015-3805; Directorate Identifier 
2015-NE-28-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 4, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. ARRIEL 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 
2S2 turboshaft engines with modification TU34 or TU34A installed.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by torque conformation box (TCB) failures. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the TCB, which could 
lead to loss of engine thrust control and damage to the aircraft.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Within 600 engine flight hours (EFHs) or 6 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, check the 
resistance values on the TCB. Use Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 2.3.2 of Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 
292 72 2860, Version A, dated July 15, 2015, to do the inspection. 
Repeat this inspection every 600 EFHs since last inspection.
    (2) Remove before further flight any TCB that fails the 
inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Use

[[Page 68477]]

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 Brian Kierstead, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-0177, 
dated August 25, 2015, 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-2015-3805.
    (3) Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 72 2860, 
Version A, dated July 15, 2015, 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, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 28, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-28011 Filed 11-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P