65 FR 191 pgs. 58640-58641 - Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arriel 1 SeriesTurboshaft Engines
Type: RULEVolume: 65Number: 191Pages: 58640 - 58641
Docket number: [Docket No. 2000-NE-11-AD; Amendment 39-11912; AD 2000-20-01]
FR document: [FR Doc. 00-24900 Filed 8-29-00; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-NE-11-AD; Amendment 39-11912; AD 2000-20-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arriel 1 SeriesTurboshaft Engines
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule; request for comments.
SUMMARY:
This amendment adopts a new airworthinessdirective (AD) that is applicable to certain TurbomecaArriel 1 series turboshaft engines. This action requiresthe installation of a chip detector with electronic warningon the rear bearing oil return system. This amendment isprompted by reports of gas generator rear bearing failures.The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent gasgenerator rear bearing failure, which could lead to an uncommanded engine shutdown.
DATES:
Effective October 17, 2000. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the rule isapproved by the Director of the Federal Register as ofOctober 17, 2000.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must bereceived on or before December 1, 2000.
ADDRESSES:
Submit comments in triplicate to the FederalAviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NE-11-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: "9-ane-adcomment@faa.gov." Comments sentvia the Internet must contain the docket number in the subject line.
The service information referenced in this AD may beobtained from Turbomeca, 64511 Bordes Cedex, France;telephone: 33 59 12 50 00; fax: 33 59 53 15 12. Thisinformation may be examined at the FAA, New England Region,Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England ExecutivePark, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the FederalRegister, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 700,Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James Rosa, AerospaceEngineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine andPropeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park,Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone: (781) 238-7152; fax: (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the airworthiness authority for France, recently notified theFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) that an unsafecondition may exist on certain Turbomeca Arriel 1 seriesturboshaft engines. The DGAC advises that it has receivedreports of gas generator rear bearing failure. There were38 incidents of uncommanded in-flight engine shutdownsbefore August 1999; no fatalities were reported. Thiscondition, if not corrected, could result in an uncommandedengine shutdown.
Manufacturer's Service Information
Turbomeca has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 292 720163, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1996, that specifiesprocedures for the installation of a chip detector withelectronic warning on the rear bearing oil return system.The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD 98-394(A) in order to ensure the airworthiness of these engines in France.
Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement
This engine model is manufactured in France and is typecertificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 21.29 of Title 14 of the Code of FederalRegulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateralairworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateralairworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informedof the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC, reviewed all available information,and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in theUnited States.
Requirements of this AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that islikely to exist or develop on engines of the same typedesign in the United States, this AD requires the installation of a chip detector with electronic warning on the rear bearing oil return system. The actions arerequired to be accomplished in accordance with the servicebulletin described previously.
Immediate Adoption
Since a situation exists that requires the immediateadoption of this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior public comment hereon areimpracticable, and that good cause exists for making thisamendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rulethat involves requirements affecting flight safety and,thus, was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on this rule.Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as theymay desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docketnumber and be submitted in triplicate to the addressspecified under the caption ADDRESSES . All communicationsreceived on or before the closing date for comments will beconsidered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would beneeded.
Comments are specifically invited on the overallregulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. Allcomments submitted will be available, both before and afterthe closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizeseach FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of thisAD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice mustsubmit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: "Comments to Docket Number 2000-NE-11-AD." The postcard will be date-stamped and returnedto the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication of this proposed rule.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft and is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administrationamends part 39 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39-AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority:
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the followingnew airworthiness directive:
2000-20-01 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-11912. Docket 2000-NE-11-AD.
Applicability: This AD is applicable to Turbomeca Arriel 1 A, -1 A1, -1 A2, -1 B, -1 C, -1 C1, -1 C2, -1 D, -1 D1, -1 K, -1 K1, -1 S, and -1 S1 turboshaft engines.These engines are installed on, but not limited to, the following helicopters:
| Eurocopter AS 356 C | Eurocopter AS 365 C1 | Eurocopter AS 350 BA |
| Eurocopter AS 356 N2 | Eurocopter AS 350 B | Eurocopter AS 350 B2N |
| Eurocopter AS 350 D | Eurocopter As 550 U2 | Augusta A109K2 |
| Sikorsky S76A | Sikorsky 76A+ | Sikorsky 76A++ |
| Sikorsky S76C |
Note 1:
This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been modified, altered,or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The requestshould include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specificproposed actions to address it.
Compliance
Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent gas generator rear bearing failure, whichcould result in an uncommanded engine shutdown, do the following:
Required Action
(a) Within 30 days from the effective date of this AD,install a chip detector with electronic warning on the rearbearing oil return system in accordance with TurbomecaService Bulletin (SB) No. 292 72 0163, Revision 1, datedApril 3, 1996, paragraph 2, Instructions for incorporation.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustmentof the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, EngineCertification Office (ECO). Operators shall submit theirrequests through an appropriate FAA Principal MaintenanceInspector, who may add comments and then send it to theManager, ECO.
Note 2:
Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, if any, may be obtained from the Manager, ECO.
Special Flight Permits
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with §§ 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where the requirements of this AD can beaccomplished.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The actions required by this AD shall be performed in accordance with Turbomeca Service Bulletin No. 292 72 0163, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1996. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the FederalRegister in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Turbomeca, 64511 Bordes Cedex, France; telephone 33 59 12 50 00; fax 33 59 53 15 12. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region,Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC.
Effective Date
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 17, 2000.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 21,2000.
Mark C. Fulmer,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-24900 Filed 8-29-00; 8:45 am]
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