DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0164; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-02-AD;
Amendment 39-18191; AD 2015-13-04]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2014-19-05 for
all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2,
1K1, 1S, 1S1, 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 turboshaft engines.
AD 2014-19-05 required an initial one-time vibration check of the
engine accessory gearbox (AGB) on certain Arriel 1 and Arriel 2 model
engines, and repetitive vibration checks for all Arriel 1 and Arriel 2
engines. This AD was prompted by our determination that we incorrectly
identified technical references in AD 2014-19-05. We are issuing this
AD to prevent failure of the engine AGB, which could lead to in-flight
shutdown and damage to the engine, which may result in damage to the
aircraft.

DATES: This AD is effective September 1, 2015.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 1,
2015.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of
November 5, 2014 (79 FR 59091, October 1, 2014).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 0 5 59 74 40 00; telex:
570 042; fax: 33 0 5 59 74 45 15. You may view this service information
at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive
Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. It is also available on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2014-0164.

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-2014-
0164; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information,
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information.
The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Riley, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7758; fax:
781-238-7199; email: mark.riley@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2014-19-05, Amendment 39-17973 (79 FR 59091,
October 1, 2014), (``AD 2014-19-05''). AD 2014-19-05 applied to the
specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
February 4, 2015 (80 FR 6017). The NPRM proposed to continue to require
an initial one-time vibration check of the engine AGB on certain higher
risk Arriel 1 and Arriel 2 model engines. That NPRM also proposed to
continue to require repetitive vibration checks of the engine AGB for
all Arriel 1 and Arriel 2 engines at every engine shop visit.
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We considered the comments received.

Request To Allow Sufficient Compliance Time

One commenter requested that sufficient time be allowed to comply
with this AD to account for the availability of the vibration test
equipment and Turbomeca technical representatives. The commenter
indicated that the initial one-time vibration check of the engine AGB
requires use of Turbomeca-specified vibration test equipment and is
performed by Turbomeca technical personnel.
We do not agree. The compliance times in the AD provide sufficient
time for the operator to perform the required maintenance. Operators
can also procure the required vibration test equipment to perform the
test. We did not change this AD.

Request To Revise Definition of Shop Visit

One commenter requested that we revise the AD to make the
definition of ``shop visit'' consistent with EASA AD 2014-0036. The
EASA AD specifies that the repetitive vibration check of the engine AGB
be performed during a ``qualifying shop visit,'' which is when the
engine is ``overhauled or repaired in a qualified Repair Center.'' The
commenter indicated that because of the modularity of the Arriel
engine, it is possible to separate a major mating flange during ``Level
2'' or ``Level 1 maintenance.''
We do not agree. We do not find specific criteria in EASA AD 2014-
0036's definition of ``engine shop visit'' for when the repetitive AGB
vibration check should be conducted. We did not change this AD.

Request To Eliminate Repetitive Vibration Check

One commenter requested that the repetitive vibration check
required by this AD be eliminated. The commenter indicated that this
vibration check is already incorporated in Turbomeca Level 4
maintenance, and in subsequent test requirements, so it will always be
done. Further, adding this requirement to the AD only adds to the cost
and paperwork requirements for operators.
We do not agree. The repetitive vibration checks of the engine AGB
are required to prevent failure of the AGB. We did not change this AD.

Revisions To Service Information References

Turbomeca S.A. updated the service bulletins (SBs) referenced in
this AD. We reviewed the updated SBs and found they adequately
addressed the unsafe condition. Therefore, we revised this AD to
reference the updated versions of the SBs. This AD now references
Turbomeca S.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 72 0839,
Version C, dated June 18, 2014, and Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 72 2849,
Version C, dated June 18, 2014. We also revised compliance paragraph
(e) of this AD to refer to the corresponding paragraphs used in these
updated MSBs to require the vibration checks.

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data, including the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these
changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or
increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 72 0839, Version C, dated
June 18, 2014; and Turbomeca S.A. MSB No. 292 72 2849, Version C, dated
June 18, 2014. The service information describes procedures for
vibration checks. 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 1,268 engines installed on
aircraft of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 4
hours per engine to comply with the inspection requirement in this AD.
The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $431,120.

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

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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2014-19-05, Amendment 39-17973 (79 FR 59091, October 1, 2014), and
adding the following new AD: