DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-2859; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-04-AD;
Amendment 39-18536; AD 2016-11-09]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1D and 1D1 turboshaft engines with a pre-
modification (mod) TU357 gas generator module (M03), installed. This AD
requires removing the pre-modification (mod) TU357 gas generator module
(M03) and replacing with a part eligible for installation. This AD was
prompted by reports of divergent rubbing between the piston shaft small
diameter labyrinth and the rear bearing support. We are issuing this AD
to prevent failure of the labyrinth seal and engine, in-flight
shutdown, and loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 5, 2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 (0)5 59 74 40
00; fax: 33 (0)5 59 74 45 15. You may view this service information at
the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA. 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-2016-
2859; 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
(MCAI), the 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: Philip Haberlen, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7770; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: philip.haberlen@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 1, 2016 (81 FR
10544). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD 2016-0009, dated January 13, 2016 (referred to hereinafter as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:

Some cases of divergent rubbing between the piston shaft small
diameter labyrinth and the rear bearing support have been reported.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an uncommanded
engine in-flight shutdown.

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-2016-2859.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (81 FR 10544, March 1,
2016).

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed.

Related Service Information

Turbomeca S.A. has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292
72 1357, Version B, dated November 12, 2015. The MSB describes
procedures for installing a post-modification (mod) TU357 gas generator
module (M03). 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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 426 engines installed on
helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about
40 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost about $16,500 per engine.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $8,477,400.

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 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 this AD:
(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),
(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 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):