[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12834-12836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05465]
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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]
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 all
Turbomeca S.A. MAKILA 2A and MAKILA 2A1 turboshaft engines. This
proposed AD was prompted by two occurrences of crack initiation on a
ferrule of the diffuser. This proposed AD would require repetitive
diffuser inspections and replacement of those diffusers that fail
inspection. We are proposing this AD to prevent rupture of the ferrule
of the diffuser, which could result in engine fire and damage to the
helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 10, 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 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building
[[Page 12835]]
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) 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
01803. 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-
8257; 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: Brian Kierstead, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; email: [email protected];
phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-238-7199.
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-2015-8257;
Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-36-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 2015-0209, dated October 16, 2015 (referred to hereinafter as ``the
MCAI''), 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 proposed AD would require 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.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Turbomeca S.A. has issued Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB)
No. A298 72 2832, Version B, dated October 12, 2015. The Alert MSB
describes procedures for repetitive inspections of the affected
diffuser and depending on findings, accomplishment of the corrective
action(s).
Turbomeca S.A. has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 298 72 2833,
Version A, dated July 29, 2015. The SB identifies post-TU52 HP gas
generator modules that have been released with a new ferrule after
repair or overhaul in a Repair Center. When applying Alert Mandatory
Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A298 72 2832, it is necessary to know if an
HP gas generator module released by a Repair Center is equipped with a
new ferrule.
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
NPRM.
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 repetitive inspections of the
affected diffuser and depending on findings, accomplishment of the
corrective action(s).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 10 engines installed on
helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about
2 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. 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 $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 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,
[[Page 12836]]
(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.
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-2015-8257; Directorate Identifier
2015-NE-36-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by May 10, 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 (HP) 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 (P/N) 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 B, dated October 12, 2015, to do the borescope
inspections required by this AD.
(2) Repeat the borescope inspection required by this AD every 50
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 Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 298 72 2832, Version
A, dated September 3, 2015 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 2015-0209,
dated October 16, 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-2015-8257.
(3) Turbomeca S.A. Alert MSB No. A298 72 2832, Version B, dated
October 12, 2015, can be obtained from Turbomeca S.A., using the
contact information in paragraph (h)(5) of this proposed AD.
(4) Turbomeca S.A. Service Bulletin (SB) No. 298 72 2833,
Version A, dated July 29, 2015, can be obtained from Turbomeca S.A.,
using the contact information in paragraph (h)(5) of this proposed
AD.
(5) For service information identified in this proposed AD,
contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: (33) 05 59 74
40 00; fax: (33) 05 59 74 45 15.
(6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 781-238-7125.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 29, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05465 Filed 3-10-16; 8:45 am]
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