[Federal Register: December 30, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 250)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 77310-77312]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30de05-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD; Amendment 39-14434; AD 2005-26-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Artouste III Series
Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive
(AD) for Turbomeca Artouste III series turboshaft engines. That AD
currently requires smoke emission checks after every ground engine
shutdown, and if necessary, additional checks and possibly removing the
engine from service. That action also requires inspection of central
labyrinths not previously inspected, or not replaced after the engine
logged 1,500 operating hours, and, replacement if necessary. That
action also requires the removal of injection wheels at a new lower
life limit. This AD includes the same requirements as AD 2002-22-11,
but reduces the compliance time for the initial inspection of the
central labyrinth and adds repetitive inspections of the central
labyrinth. This AD results from reports and analyses of in-flight
engine shutdowns occurring since we issued AD 2002-22-11. We are
issuing this AD to prevent injection wheel cracks and excessive central
labyrinth wear, which could result in an in-flight engine shutdown and
possible loss of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD becomes effective February 3, 2006. The Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain
publications listed in the regulations as of February 3, 2006. The
Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation
by reference of a certain other publication as listed in the
regulations as of December 13, 2002 (67 FR 68022, November 8, 2002).
ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD
from Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40 00,
fax 33 05 59 74 45 15.
You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA. You may examine the service information, at the FAA,
New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299;
telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with a
proposed airworthiness directive (AD). The proposed AD applies to
Turbomeca Artouste III series turboshaft engines. We published the
proposed AD in the Federal Register on June 23, 2005 (70 FR 36355).
That action proposed to require smoke emission checks after every
ground engine shutdown, and if necessary, additional checks and
possibly removing the engine from service. That action also proposed to
require initial inspection of central labyrinths not previously
inspected at reduced compliance times, or not replaced after the engine
logged 1,500 operating hours, and, replacement if necessary. That
action also proposed to add repetitive inspections of the central
labyrinth. Additionally, that action proposed to require the removal of
the injection wheels at a new lower life limit.
[[Page 77311]]
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the
location.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on
the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
About 1,062 Turbomeca Artouste III engines of the affected design
are in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 59 engines installed on
helicopters of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD. We also
estimate that it will take about 31 work hours per engine to perform
the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work
hour. Required parts will cost about $8,100 per engine. Based on these
figures, we estimate the AD will cost U.S. operators $596,785.
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 have 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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
(3) 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD'' in your request.
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 Federal Aviation Administration 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 removing Amendment 39-12937 (67 FR
68022, November 8, 2002) and by adding a new airworthiness directive,
to read as follows:
2005-26-13 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-14434. Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective February 3, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-22-11, Amendment 39-12937.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Artouste III B, B1, and D
series turboshaft engines with injection wheels part numbers (P/Ns)
218.25.700.0, 218.25.704.0, 243.25.709.0, 243.25.713.0,
0.218.27.705.0, 0.218.27.709.0, and 0.218.27.713.0. These engines
are installed on, but not limited to Eurocopter SA 315 LAMA and SA
316 Alouette III helicopters.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports and analyses of in-flight
engine shutdowns occurring since we issued AD 2002-22-11. The
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent injection wheel
cracks and excessive central labyrinth wear, which could result in
an in-flight engine shutdown and possible loss of the helicopter.
Compliance
(e) Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, unless
already done.
Smoke Check
(f) Following every engine ground shutdown, do the following
using Turbomeca Artouste III Service Bulletin (SB) No. 218 72 0099,
dated September 14, 1998:
(1) After every flight, check for smoke emissions through the
exhaust pipe, air intake, or turbine casing drain during rundown and
after every engine shutdown. If a smoke emission has been noticed,
check the fuel system before the next flight to identify the origin
of the smoke emissions.
(2) If smoke is not detected, no action is required until the
next engine ground shutdown.
(3) If smoke is detected, inspect for fuel flow in accordance
with paragraph 2.B.(1) and 2.B.(2) of the referenced SB.
(i) If fuel flow is not detected, prior to further flight,
remove the engine from service and replace with a serviceable
engine.
(ii) If fuel flow is detected, remove the electric fuel cock
from service and replace with a serviceable part in accordance with
section 2.B.(4) and 2.B.(5) of the referenced SB.
(iii) Before entry into service, perform an engine ground run
and check the fuel system again for smoke emissions through the
exhaust pipe, air intake, or turbine casing drain during engine
rundown and after shut-down; if smoke emissions still remain after
replacement of the electric fuel cock, prior to further flight,
remove the engine from service and replace with a serviceable
engine.
(g) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable engine is defined
as an engine that does not exhibit smoke emissions.
Central Labyrinth Inspection
(h) Perform checks and inspections of the central labyrinth and,
if necessary, replace the central labyrinth, using paragraph 2 of
Turbomeca Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A218 72 0100, Update 2,
dated January 23, 2004, and the following Table 1:
Table 1.--Inspection Schedule
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Initial inspection Repetitive inspection
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Prior to 1,750 hours Time-Since-New or 1,750 hours TSLI.
1,750 hours Time-Since-Last Inspection
(TSLI), or 50 hours from the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance
(i) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
[[Page 77312]]
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) The checks, inspections, and replacements must be done in
accordance with the following Turbomeca Artouste III alert service
bulletins (ASBs):
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Document No. Pages Revision Date
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ASB A218 72 0099......................... All..................... 1 June 6, 2001.
Total pages: 5
ASB A218 72 0100......................... All..................... 2 Jan. 23, 2004.
Total pages: 17
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The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation
by reference of Alert Service Bulletin No. A218 72 0100, Update 2,
dated January 23, 2004, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of Turbomeca Alert Service Bulletin No.
A218 72 0099, Update 1, dated June 6, 2001, as of December 13, 2002
(67 FR 68022, November 8, 2002). You can get a copy from Turbomeca
S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40 00, fax 33 05
59 74 45 15. You can review copies at the FAA, New England Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA; or 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
.
Related Information
(k) DGAC airworthiness directive F-2004-016, dated February 4,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 15, 2005.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-24515 Filed 12-29-05; 8:45 am]
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