[Federal Register: October 19, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 202)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 61642-61643]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19oc06-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25730; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-31-AD;
Amendment 39-14796; AD 2006-21-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Turmo IV A and IV C Series
Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Turbomeca Turmo IV A and IV C series turboshaft engines. This AD
requires identifying, inspecting and replacing flexible lubrication
pipes manufactured after April 1, 2003. If both engines on the same
helicopter each have an affected pipe, then this AD requires replacing
one of the affected pipes before further flight. This AD also requires
initial and repetitive borescope inspections of affected pipes, visual
inspections for oil leakage, and visual inspections of the oil filter,
on engines that are not required to have an affected pipe replaced
before further flight by this AD. This AD results from 7 reports of oil
leakage due to the deterioration of flexible lubrication pipes
manufactured after April 1, 2003. We are issuing this AD to prevent
dual-engine failure on a twin-engine helicopter.
DATES: Effective November 3, 2006.
We must receive any comments on this AD by December 18, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40
00, fax 33 05 59 74 45 15 for the service information identified in
this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA),
which is the airworthiness authority for the European Community,
recently notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on certain
Turbomeca Turmo IV A and IV C series turboshaft engines. EASA advises
that 7 reports were received of oil leakage due to the deterioration of
flexible lubrication pipes, part number (P/N) 0 249 92 813 0, installed
on Turbomeca Turmo III C4 (military version) turboshaft engines.
Turbomeca is still investigating the cause of the deterioration, but
links a manufacturing process change, applied by the pipe manufacturer,
in 2003. The same process was used to manufacture flexible lubrication
pipes, P/N 0 249 92 916 0. Either P/N pipe could be installed on Turmo
IV A and IV C series turboshaft engines.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Turbomeca
Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A249 72 0802, Update No. 1,
dated August 3, 2006. That Alert MSB describes procedures for
identifying affected flexible lubrication pipes by their curing batch
number, and replacing one of the affected pipes on a twin-engine
helicopter to prevent dual-engine failure. That Alert MSB also
describes procedures for performing repetitive borescope inspections of
all other affected pipes and visual inspections of the oil filter. EASA
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD 2006-0240-E
in order to ensure the airworthiness of these Turbomeca Turmo IV A and
IV C series turboshaft engines in Europe.
Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement
These Turbomeca Turmo IV A and IV C series turboshaft engines are
manufactured in France and are type certificated for operation in the
United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral
airworthiness agreement. Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement,
EASA kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. We have
examined the findings of EASA, reviewed all available information, and
determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design
that are certificated for operation in the United States.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other Turbomeca Turmo IV A and IV C series turboshaft
engines of the same type design. We are issuing this AD to prevent
dual-engine failure on a twin-engine helicopter. This AD requires
identifying affected flexible lubrication pipes by their curing batch
number, and replacing the affected pipe before further flight, on one
engine if both engines on the same helicopter each have an affected
pipe. This AD also requires initial and repetitive borescope
inspections of flexible lubrication pipes and visual inspections of the
oil filter, on engines that do not have the affected pipe replaced
before further flight.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Interim Action
These actions are interim actions and we may take further
rulemaking actions in the future.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and
[[Page 61643]]
was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment;
however, we invite you to send us any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2006-25730; Directorate
Identifier 2006-NE-31-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need
to modify it.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the DMS Web
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit
http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments
received, and any final disposition in person at the Docket Management
Facility Docket Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800)
647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Department of
Transportation Nassif Building at the street address stated in
ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
the DMS receives them.
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 the 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); 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal
Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (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:
2006-21-11 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-14796. Docket No. FAA-2006-25730;
Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-31-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November
3, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Turbomeca Turmo IV A and IV C series
turboshaft engines with flexible lubrication pipes, part number (P/
N) 0 249 92 813 0 or P/N 0 249 92 916 0, installed. These engines
are installed on but not limited to, Aerospatiale SA 330--PUMA
helicopters.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from 7 reports of oil leakage due to the
deterioration of certain flexible lubrication pipes, part number (P/
N) 0 249 92 813 0. We are issuing this AD to prevent dual-engine
failure on a twin-engine helicopter.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the
actions have already been done.
Initial Actions
(f) Before further flight:
(1) Identify the curing batch of the flexible lubrication pipes.
(2) If the two engines installed on the same helicopter have
pipes with a curing batch of ``2T03'' (meaning 2nd quarter of 2003)
or subsequent batch, replace one of the pipes with a pipe having a
curing batch before batch ``2T03''.
(3) On the other engine, or on a helicopter that has only one
engine affected by this AD, borescope-inspect the pipe for
deterioration, visually inspect for oil leakage, and visually
inspect the oil filter for black particle deterioration from the
pipe. Replace the pipe if deterioration or leakage is found, with a
pipe having a curing batch before batch ``2T03''.
Repetitive Actions
(g) Within every additional 25 operating hours, on engines still
having an affected flexible lubrication pipe, borescope-inspect the
pipe for deterioration, visually inspect pipe for oil leakage, and
visually inspect the oil filter for black particle deterioration
from the pipe. Replace the pipe if deterioration or leakage is
found, with a pipe having a curing batch before batch ``2T03''.
(h) Information on performing the initial and repetitive actions
in this AD can be found in Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. A249 72 0802, Update No. 1, dated August 3, 2006.
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.
Related Information
(j) European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directive No.
2006-0240-E, dated August 11, 2006, also addresses the subject of
this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 12, 2006.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6-17328 Filed 10-18-06; 8:45 am]
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