80 FR 73148 - Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 226 (November 24, 2015)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2D, 2E, 2S1, and 2S2 turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of an Arriel 2 engine caused by rupture of the 41-tooth gear, which forms part of the bevel gear in the engine accessory gearbox (AGB). This proposed AD would require inspection, and, depending on the results, removal of the engine AGB. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the engine AGB, which could lead to in-flight shutdown, damage to the engine, and damage to the aircraft.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 226 (Tuesday, November 24, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 73148-73150]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29747]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3753; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-26-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 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2D, 2E, 2S1, and 
2S2 turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an 
uncommanded in-flight shutdown of an Arriel 2 engine caused by rupture 
of the 41-tooth gear, which forms part of the bevel gear in the engine 
accessory gearbox (AGB). This proposed AD would require inspection, 
and, depending on the results, removal of the engine AGB. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent failure of the engine AGB, which could 
lead to in-flight shutdown, damage to the engine, and damage to the 
aircraft.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 25, 
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

[[Page 73149]]

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-
3753; 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, 12 
New England Executive Park, 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-2015-3753; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-26-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 2015-0162, dated August 6, 2015 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    An uncommanded in-flight shut-down (IFSD) of an ARRIEL 2 engine 
was reported, caused by rupture of the 41-tooth gear, which forms 
part of the bevel gear of the accessory gearbox (module M01). The 
subsequent investigation revealed that wear on the housing of the 
front bearing of this gear was a major contributor to this rupture. 
In addition, the investigation showed that this wear mechanism had 
resulted in positive Spectrometric Oil Analysis (SOA) indications 
before the event.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could potentially 
lead to further cases of IFSD, possibly resulting in an emergency 
landing.

    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-2015-3753.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Turbomeca S.A. has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 72 
2861, Version A, dated April 24, 2015. The service information 
describes procedures for inspecting the engine AGB. 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 document.

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 inspection, and, depending on 
the results, removal of the engine AGB.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 250 engines installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 
0.5 hours per engine to comply with the initial inspection requirement 
in this proposed AD and about 2 hours per engine to remove the engine 
AGB. The spectrometric oil analysis kit costs about $79. 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 $72,875.

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.

[[Page 73150]]

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-2015-3753; Directorate Identifier 
2015-NE-26-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 25, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 
2D, 2E, 2S1, and 2S2 turboshaft engines with an engine accessory 
gearbox (AGB), part number 0292120650, with a machined front casing.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-flight 
shutdown of an Arriel 2 engine caused by rupture of the 41-tooth 
gear, which forms part of the bevel gear in the engine AGB. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the engine AGB, which could 
lead to in-flight shutdown, damage to the engine, and damage to the 
aircraft.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(1) Initial Spectrometric Oil Analysis (SOA)

    (i) Perform an initial SOA within the compliance times given in 
paragraph (e)(1)(i)(A) or (e)(1)(i)(B) of this AD:
    (A) If the engine AGB has less than 800 engine hours (EHs) since 
new or since last overhaul, do an initial SOA before exceeding 850 
EHs since new or since last overhaul.
    (B) If the engine AGB has 800 EHs or more since new or since 
last overhaul, or if the EHs are unknown, do an initial SOA within 
50 EHs after the effective date of this AD.
    (C) Use paragraphs 2.4.2.1 and 2.4.2.2 of Turbomeca S.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 72 2861, Version A, dated 
April 24, 2015, to perform the SOA required by paragraph (e) of this 
AD.
    (ii) Reserved.

(2) Repetitive SOA

    (i) If the aluminum concentration determined from the most 
recent SOA is less than 0.8 parts per million (PPM), repeat the SOA 
required by paragraph (e) of this AD within 100 EHs time since last 
analysis (TSLA).
    (ii) If the aluminum concentration determined from the most 
recent SOA is between 0.8 PPM and 1.4 PPM, inclusive, repeat the SOA 
required by paragraph (e) of this AD within 50 EHs TSLA. Do not 
perform draining before doing the next SOA.
    (iii) If the aluminum concentration determined from the most 
recent SOA is greater than 1.4 PPM, remove the engine AGB from 
service within 50 EHs TSLA.

(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, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7770; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-0162, 
dated August 6, 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-2015-3753.
    (3) Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 72 2861, Version A, dated April 
24, 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 November 12, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-29747 Filed 11-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P