[Federal Register: November 8, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 217)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 68022-68024]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08no02-3]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD; Amendment 39-12937; AD 2002-22-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Artouste III Series
Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), that is applicable to Turbomeca Artouste III series turboshaft
engines with injection wheels part numbers (P/N's) 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 installed. That AD currently
requires smoke emission checks after every ground engine shutdown. If
smoke is detected, that AD requires inspecting for fuel flow. If fuel
flow is not detected, the engine may have injection wheel cracks, which
requires removing the engine from service for repair. If fuel flow is
detected, the engine may have a malfunctioning electric fuel cock,
which requires removing the electric fuel cock from service and
replacing with a serviceable part. This amendment has similar
requirements as the original AD, except that the smoke emissions are to
be checked after the last flight of the day, as opposed to after every
flight, as required by the original AD. This amendment also requires
inspection of central labyrinths not previously inspected or not
replaced after the engine logged 1,500 operating hours, and,
replacement of these labyrinths if necessary. This amendment is
prompted by reports and analyses of in-flight shutdowns (IFSD's)
occurring since the issuance of AD 2000-06-12. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent injection wheel cracks and excessive
central labyrinth wear, which could result in an IFSD.
DATES: Effective December 13, 2002. The incorporation by reference of
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the
Director of the Federal Register as of December 13, 2002.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone +33 05 59 64
40 00, fax +33 05 59 64 60 80. This information may be examined, by
appointment, at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),
[[Page 68023]]
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.
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) by superseding AD 2000-06-12,
Amendment 39-11653 (65 FR 19300, April 11, 2000), which is applicable
to Turbomeca Artouste III B, B1, and D series turboshaft engines with
injection wheels part numbers (P/N's) 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 installed, was published in the Federal Register on May
10, 2002, 67 FR 31737). That action proposed to require in accordance
with Turbomeca Artouste III alert service bulletin (ASB) No. A218 72
0099, Update 1, dated June 6, 2001, smoke emission checks after every
ground engine shutdown. If smoke is detected, that action proposed to
require inspecting for fuel flow. If fuel flow is not detected, the
engine may have injection wheel cracks, which would require removing
the engine from service for repair. If fuel flow is detected, the
engine may have a malfunctioning electric fuel cock, which would
require removing the electric fuel cock from service and replacing with
a serviceable part. That action also proposed to require the smoke
emissions to be checked after the last flight of the day as opposed to
after every flight as required by the original AD. That action also
proposed to require inspection of central labyrinths not previously
inspected or not replaced after the engine logged 1,500 operating
hours, and, replacement if necessary, in accordance with Turbomeca
Artouste III ASB No. A218 72 0100, Update 1, dated March 13, 2001. That
action also proposed to require the removal of injection wheels at a
new lower life limit.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comment received.
Injection Wheels Not Life-Limited
One commenter, the manufacturer, states that injection wheels on
Turbomeca Artouste III series turboshaft engines are not life-limited.
The commenter requests that the FAA remove paragraph (c) and (d) of the
proposal. Paragraph (c) states that injection wheels are now life-
limited to no more than 3,000 flight hours time-since-new (TSN) or
time-since-overhaul (TSO), or 6,000 cycles-since-new (CSN) or cycles-
since overhaul (CSO), whichever occurs first. Paragraph (d) requires
replacement of all injection wheels that are over the life limits,
before further flight, and to replace all other injection wheels before
reaching the new life limits.
The FAA agrees. The FAA misunderstood the intent of the Direction
Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness
authority for France, regarding their reference in AD 2001-235(A) to
the use of injection wheel limits. The 3,000 flight hours TSN or TSO,
and 6,000 CSN or CSO limits are in the manufacturer's manual and are
not mandated by the DGAC. Therefore, the FAA has removed the paragraphs
for life limits from the final rule.
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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
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
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-11653 (65 FR
19300, April 11, 2000) and by adding a new airworthiness directive,
Amendment 39-12937, to read as follows:
2002-22-11 Turbomeca: Amendment 39-12937. Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD.
Supersedes AD 2000-06-12, Amendment 39-11653.
Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable
to Turbomeca Artouste III B, B1, and D series turboshaft engines
with injection wheels part numbers (P/N's) 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.
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 injection wheel cracks and excessive central
labyrinth wear, which could result in an in-flight shutdown (IFSD),
do the following:
[[Page 68024]]
Smoke Check
(a) Do the following in accordance with Turbomeca Artouste III
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A218 72 0099, Update 1, dated June
6, 2001:
(1) After the last flight of every day, check for smoke emission
through the exhaust pipe, air intake, or turbine casing drain during
rundown.
(2) If smoke is detected, inspect for fuel flow in accordance
with paragraph 2.B.(1) and 2.B.(2) of the ASB.
(i) If fuel flow is not detected, remove the engine from service
and replace with a serviceable engine before further flight.
(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 ASB.
(iii) Before entry into service, perform an engine ground run
and check the fuel system again for smoke emission through the
exhaust pipe, air intake, or turbine casing drain during engine
rundown and after shutdown. If smoke emission still remains after
replacement of the electric fuel cock, before further flight, remove
the engine from service and replace with a serviceable engine.
Central Labyrinth Inspection
(b) If the central labyrinth has not been inspected or replaced
since engine accumulation of 1,500 flight hours (FH) or more time-
since-new (TSN) or time-since-last-overhaul (TSO), perform the
checks and inspections, and, if necessary, replace the central
labyrinth, in accordance with paragraph 2 of the Instructions of
Turbomeca Artouste III ASB No. A218 72 0100, Update 1, dated March
13, 2001 and the following Table 1:
Table 1.--Inspection Schedule
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For engine hours TSN, or TSO And cycles/FH Then inspect central
that are: ratio is: labyrinth:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) More than 1,500 but fewer (i) Above 2 Within 250 FH time-in-
than 2,000. cycles. service (TIS) after
the effective date
of this AD.
(ii) Below or Within 500 FH TIS
equal to 2 after the effective
cycles. date of this AD.
(2) 2,000 or more............. Not applicable... Within 50 FH TIS or 6
months after the
effective date of
this AD, whichever
occurs first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable engine is defined
as an engine that does not exhibit smoke emission.
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.
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.
Documents That Have Been Incorporated by Reference
(f) The checks, inspections, and replacements must be done in
accordance with the following Turbomeca Artouste III alert service
bulletins (ASB's):
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document No. Pages Revision Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASB A218 72 0099....................... All....................... 1 June 6, 2001.
Total pages: 5
ASB A218 72 0100....................... All....................... 1 March 13, 2001.
Total pages: 7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These incorporations by reference were approved by the Director of
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos,
France; telephone +33 05 59 64 40 00; fax +33 05 59 64 60 80. 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction
Generale de L'Aviation Civile airworthiness directive 2001-235(A),
dated June 13, 2001.
Effective Date
(g) This amendment becomes effective on December 13, 2002.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 28, 2002.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-28114 Filed 11-7-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P