AD 2009-08-08 Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Arriel 1B, 1D, 1D1, 2B, and 2B1 Turboshaft Engines

This AD applies to: (1) Turbomeca Arriel 1B, 1D, and 1D1 turboshaft engines with the power turbine modules M04 installed, as listed by serial number (SN) in Figure 1 of Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. A292 72 0827, Version A, dated March 20, 2009; and (2) Turbomeca Arriel 2B, and 2B1 turboshaft engines with the power turbine modules M04 installed, as listed by SN in Figure 1 of Turbomeca Alert MSB No. A292 72 2833, Version A, dated March 20, 2009. (3) These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter AS 350 B, AS 350 BA, AS 350 B1, AS 350 B2, AS 350 B3, and EC 130 B4 helicopters. Reason (d) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2009-0068-E, dated March 25, 2009, states: During production of Arriel 1 and Arriel 2 power turbine (PT) wheels, geometric non-conformances on blade fir tree roots have been detected by Turbomeca. Potentially non-conforming PT blades have been traced as having been installed on Module M04 (PT) listed in Alert MSB A292 72 0827 for Arriel 1 engines and A292 72 2833 for Arriel 2 engines. The geometric non-conformities of the blades may potentially lead to a reduction in the fatigue resistance of PT blades to a lower level than their authorized in service use limit. This reduction of fatigue resistance can potentially result in blade release, which could cause an uncommanded in-flight shutdown. Uncommanded in-flight shutdown could result in an emergency autorotation landing. We are issuing this AD to prevent release of PT blades, which could result in uncommanded in-flight shutdown and emergency autorotation landing.

Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) For engines with an affected Module M04 (PT module) which has accumulated 1,000 total PT cycles or more on the effective date of this AD, remove the PT blades from service before further flight. (2) For engines with an affected Module M04 (PT module) which has accumulated fewer than 1,000 total PT cycles on the effective date of this AD, remove the PT blades from service before accumulating 1,000 total PT cycles. (3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any PT blades removed as specified in paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD, into any engine. FAA AD Differences (f) Although the compliance section of EASA AD No. 2009-0068-E, dated March 25, 2009, states to replace the Module M04, or PT wheel assembly, or PT blades, this AD states to remove the PT blades from service. (g) Although EASA AD No. 2009-0068-E, dated March 25, 2009, applies to the Arriel 2B1A engine, this AD does not apply to that model because it has no U.S. type certificate. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (h) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (i) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2009-0068-E, dated March 25, 2009, for related information. (j) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: james.lawrence@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7176, fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use the service information specified in Table 1 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40 00, fax 33 05 59 74 45 15. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Table 1—Material Incorporated by Reference Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin No. Page Version Date A292 72 0827 All A March 20, 2009. Total pages: 17 A292 72 2833 All A March 20, 2009. Total Pages: 17 Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 6, 2009. Peter A. White, Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E9-8329 Filed 4-13-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) For engines with an affected Module M04 (PT module) which has accumulated 1,000 total PT cycles or more on the effective date of this AD, remove the PT blades from service before further flight. (2) For engines with an affected Module M04 (PT module) which has accumulated fewer than 1,000 total PT cycles on the effective date of this AD, remove the PT blades from service before accumulating 1,000 total PT cycles. (3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any PT blades removed as specified in paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD, into any engine. FAA AD Differences (f) Although the compliance section of EASA AD No. 2009-0068-E, dated March 25, 2009, states to replace the Module M04, or PT wheel assembly, or PT blades, this AD states to remove the PT blades from service. (g) Although EASA AD No. 2009-0068-E, dated March 25, 2009, applies to the Arriel 2B1A engine, this AD does not apply to that model because it has no U.S. type certificate. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (h) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (i) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2009-0068-E, dated March 25, 2009, for related information. (j) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: james.lawrence@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7176, fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use the service information specified in Table 1 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; telephone 33 05 59 74 40 00, fax 33 05 59 74 45 15. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Table 1—Material Incorporated by Reference Turbomeca Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin No. Page Version Date A292 72 0827 All A March 20, 2009. Total pages: 17 A292 72 2833 All A March 20, 2009. Total Pages: 17 Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 6, 2009. Peter A. White, Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E9-8329 Filed 4-13-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P