AD 2003-12-14

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 119 (Friday, June 20, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36900-36902]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 03-15448]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NE-43-AD; Amendment 39-13199; AD 2003-12-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 Turboshaft 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 series turboshaft engines. 
This amendment requires initial and repetitive visual inspections for 
ingestive erosion, and cleaning if necessary, of M02 and M03 modules. 
This amendment is prompted by reports from the manufacturer of an 
unbalance due to accumulation of dust in the M03 module. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent an unbalance of the gas 
generator rotating assembly which may lead to deterioration of the gas 
generator rear bearing and uncommanded engine shutdown.

DATES: Effective July 25, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Information regarding this action may be examined, by 
appointment, at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Antonio Cancelliere, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (781) 238-7751; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is 
applicable to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 series turboshaft engines was 
published in the Federal Register on February 12, 2003 (68 FR 7084). 
That action proposed to require initial and repetitive visual 
inspections for ingestive erosion, and cleaning if necessary, of M02 
and M03 modules.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    Three comments were made by the manufacturer.

Request To Change the Prompted By Statement

    In the first comment, the manufacturer requests that the FAA change 
the ``prompted by'' statement in the Summary to more accurately 
describe the module of the engine that is affected by the unbalance due 
to the accumulation of ingested dust. The manufacturer requests that 
the ``prompted by'' statement be changed in the AD to remove the words 
``* * * ingestive erosion of M02 and M03 modules'' and that they be 
replaced with ``* * *''an unbalance due to the

[[Page 36901]]

accumulation of dust in the M03 module.''
    The FAA agrees and the Summary is changed in this AD.

Request To Remove Model 1E From the Applicability

    In the second comment, the manufacturer requests that we remove the 
model 1E from the Applicability statement because this model is no 
longer in service nor included on the Direction Generale de L'Aviation 
Civile (DGAC) Type Certificate. The model 1E was also erroneously 
included in the manufacturer's service bulletin.
    The FAA does not agree. The model 1E is still included in the FAA 
Type Certificate Data Sheet for Arriel 1 engines; therefore, for 
consistency with the existing documentation, the FAA maintains the 
model 1E in the Applicability statement.

Request To Change Regulatory Paragraph (a)(2)

    In the third comment, the manufacturer requests that we change 
paragraph (a)(2) ``Modification TU 175 Not Incorporated''. The 
manufacturer asks that the FAA change ``area D as defined in the engine 
maintenance manual * * *'' to ``area III as defined in the engine 
maintenance manual, even if it has not reached 1,000 operating hours, * 
* *''.
    The FAA agrees and paragraph (a)(2) of this AD is changed.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Regulatory Analysis

    This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined 
in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication 
of this final rule.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, pursuant to 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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2003-12-14 Turbomeca S.A.: Amendment 39-13199. Docket No. 2002-NE-
43-AD.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1 A, 1 A1, 1 A2, 1 B, 1 C, 1 C1, 1 C2, 1 D, 
1 D1, 1 E, 1 E2, 1 K, 1 K1, 1 S, and 1 S1 turboshaft engines. These 
engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter AS 350, AS 
350B1, AS 350B2, AS 365C, AS 365C2, AS 365N, AS 365N1, AS 365N2, BK 
117C1, BK 117C2, Augusta A109 K2, and Sikorsky S76 C helicopters.

    Note 1: This 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 (d) of 
this AD. The request should 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 specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, 
unless already done.
    To prevent an unbalance of the gas generator rotating assembly 
which may lead to deterioration of the gas generator rear bearing 
and also to uncommanded engine shutdown, do the following:

Initial Inspections and Cleaning

    (a) For engines that have been operated in a dusty or erosive 
atmospheric environment containing substances such as laterite, 
sand, volcanic ash, and chemical particles, and engines for which 
the operating environment cannot be determined, do the following:
    (1) Perform an initial visual inspection for erosion of the 
axial compressor, within 50 operating hours after the effective date 
of this AD. Information on inspecting can be found in Turbomeca S.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 72 0230, dated October 16, 
1998.

Modification TU 175 Not Incorporated

    (2) For engines that do not have Modification TU 175 
incorporated, if axial compressor erosion is above 1.5 millimeters 
in area III as defined in the engine maintenance manual, even if it 
has not reached 1,000 operating hours, and if the module M03 has 
operated more than 200 hours with this M02 module, clean the M03 
module within the next 50 operating hours. Information on cleaning 
can be found in Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 72 0230, dated October 
16, 1998.

Modification TU 175 Incorporated

    (3) For engines that have Modification TU 175 incorporated, if 
axial compressor erosion inspection requires the M02 module to be 
removed, and if the M03 module has operated more than 400 hours with 
this M02 module, clean the M03 module within the next 50 operating 
hours. Information on cleaning can be found in Turbomeca S.A. MSB 
No. 292 72 0230, dated October 16, 1998.

Reconditioning and Checks

    (b) Perform reconditioning and checks of the engines. 
Information on reconditioning and checks can be found in Turbomeca 
S.A. MSB No. 292 72 0230, dated October 16, 1998.

Repetitive Inspections

    (c) Repeat axial compressor erosion inspections within every 200 
operating hours-since-last-inspection (HSLI) for engines that do not 
have Modification TU 175 incorporated, and within every 400 
operating HSLI, for engines that have Modification TU 175 
incorporated, as specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office (ECO). 
Operators must submit their request through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, ECO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the ECO.


    Note 3: A list of authorized repair centers qualified to carry 
out gas generator rotating assembly maintenance and cleaning may be 
obtained from Turbomeca S.A. or the ECO.


[[Page 36902]]



Special Flight Permits

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be done.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale de L'Aviation Civile airworthiness directive 1990-064(A), 
Revision 1, dated March 21, 2000.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 25, 2003.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 13, 2003.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-15448 Filed 6-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P