81 FR 6753 - Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 26 (February 9, 2016)

We are adopting 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 AD requires inspecting the torque conformation box (TCB) for correct resistance values and removing TCBs that fail inspection before further flight. This AD was prompted by TCB failures. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the TCB, loss of engine thrust control, and damage to the helicopter.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6753-6755]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02477]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3805; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-28-AD; 
Amendment 39-18389; AD 2016-03-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting 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 AD requires inspecting 
the torque conformation box (TCB) for correct resistance values and 
removing TCBs that fail inspection before further flight. This AD was 
prompted by TCB failures. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the TCB, loss of engine thrust control, and damage to the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 15, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 15, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3805.

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 Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday,

[[Page 6754]]

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 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 November 5, 2015 (80 FR 
68475). The NPRM proposed 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.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 68475, November 5, 
2015).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed.

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 final rule.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this 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 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 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):

2016-03-02 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-18389; Docket No. FAA-2015-
3805; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-28-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective March 15, 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, loss of engine 
thrust control, and damage to the helicopter.

(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 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 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, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

[[Page 6755]]

    (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 Docket No. FAA-2015-3805.

(h) 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. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 72 2860, 
Version A, dated July 15, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Turbomeca S.A. service information identified in this 
AD, contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 
74 40 00; fax: 33 (0)5 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 February 2, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-02477 Filed 2-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P