81 FR 39545 - Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 117 (June 17, 2016)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Turbomeca S.A. MAKILA 2A and MAKILA 2A1 turboshaft engines. This AD requires repetitive diffuser inspections and replacement of those diffusers that fail inspection. This AD was prompted by two occurrences of crack initiation on a ferrule of the diffuser. We are issuing this AD to prevent rupture of the ferrule of the diffuser, which could result in engine fire and damage to the helicopter.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 117 (Friday, June 17, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39545-39547]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-14234]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-8257; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-36-AD; 
Amendment 39-18555; AD 2016-12-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Turbomeca S.A. MAKILA 2A and MAKILA 2A1 turboshaft engines. This AD 
requires repetitive diffuser inspections and replacement of those 
diffusers that fail inspection. This AD was prompted by two occurrences 
of crack initiation on a ferrule of the diffuser. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent rupture of the ferrule of the diffuser, which could 
result in engine fire and damage to the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 22, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 22, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: (33) 05 59 74 40 
00; fax: (33) 05 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. It is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2015-8257.

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-
8257; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this 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 
Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket

[[Page 39546]]

Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Kierstead, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 11, 2016 (81 FR 
12834) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition 
for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Two occurrences of crack initiation were reported on a ferrule 
of diffuser part number (P/N) 0298210100, which propagated and led 
to the ferrule rupture. The investigation shows in both cases that 
the ruptured ferrule contacted and punctured the main fuel supply 
line, resulting in a fuel leak. This condition, if not detected and 
corrected, could lead to an engine fire, consequently triggering an 
uncommanded engine in flight shut down, possibly resulting in an 
emergency landing. Prompted by these occurrences, Turbomeca 
published Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 298 72 2832 to 
provide repetitive inspection instructions.

    This AD requires repetitive inspections of the affected diffuser 
and removal of those diffusers that fail the required inspection. 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-2015-8257.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM.
    We increased the compliance time for repetitive inspection from 50 
hours since last inspection to 300 hours since last inspection. We 
updated the revision number and date of Turbomeca S.A. Alert Mandatory 
Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A298 72 2832 throughout this AD and changed 
the Credit for Previous Actions paragraph as a result of the MSB 
change.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described 
previously. We determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Turbomeca S.A. has issued Alert MSB No. A298 72 2832, Version C, 
dated April 15, 2016. The Alert MSB describes procedures for repetitive 
inspections of the affected diffuser and depending on findings, 
accomplishment of the corrective action(s).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 10 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 
2 hours per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is 
$85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD 
on U.S. operators to be $1,700.

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 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 this AD:
    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2016-12-06 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-18555; Docket No. FAA-2015-
8257; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-36-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective July 22, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. MAKILA 2A and MAKILA 2A1 
turboshaft engine models with a high-pressure gas generator module 
(M03) that has modification (mod) TU 52 installed.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by two occurrences of crack initiation on a 
ferrule of the diffuser, which propagated and led to the ferrule 
rupture. We are issuing this AD to prevent rupture of the ferrule of 
the diffuser, which could result in engine fire and damage to the 
helicopter.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Borescope inspect the centrifugal diffuser ferrule, part 
number 0298210100, prior to the ferrule accumulating 700 hours, time 
since new or time since replacement or within 30 hours from the 
effective date of this AD, whichever is later. Use Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs 2.4.1 through 2.4.2.2.1, of Turbomeca S.A. 
Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 298 72 2832, Version C, 
dated April 15, 2016, to do the borescope inspections required by 
this AD.

[[Page 39547]]

    (2) Repeat the borescope inspection required by this AD every 
300 hours since last inspection.
    (3) If any crack, loss of contact between the ferrule and 
diffuser axial vane, or any contact between the injection manifold 
supply pipe and the diffuser ferrule is found, remove the diffuser 
case and replace the ferrule with a part eligible for installation.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (e) of 
this AD if you performed those actions using Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 
298 72 2832, Version B, dated October 12, 2015 or earlier versions, 
before the effective date of this AD.

(g) 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].

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Brian Kierstead, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-
0209R1, dated April 20, 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-2015-8257.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. A298 72 2832, Version C, dated 
April 15, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Turbomeca S.A. service information identified in this 
AD, contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: (33) 05 59 
74 40 00; fax: (33) 05 59 74 45 15.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.
    (5) You may view this service information at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 10, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-14234 Filed 6-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P