Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11653 · Turbomeca Artouste III Series Turboshaft Engines
Turbomeca Artouste III Series Turboshaft Engines
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2002-22-11. Comply with the one in force.
Turbomeca Artouste III B-B1-D series turboshaft engines, installed on but not limited to Eurocopter SA 315 LAMA and SA 316 Alouette III helicopters.
Note 1: This airworthiness directive (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 (c) 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.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Turbomeca Artouste III series turboshaft engines, that requires smoke emissions checks after every ground engine shutdown. If smoke is detected, this AD would 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 it with a serviceable part. This action is prompted by reports of cracked injection wheels. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent injection wheel cracks, which could result in an in-flight engine shutdown.
(a) Following every engine ground shutdown, accomplish the following in accordance with Turbomeca Artouste III Service Bulletin (SB) No. 218 72 0099, dated September 14, 1998:
(1) After every flight, check for smoke emissions through the exhaust pipe, air intake, or turbine casing drain during rundown and after every engine shutdown. If a smoke emission has been noticed, check the fuel system before the next flight to identify the origin of the smoke emissions.
(2) If smoke is not detected, no action is required until the next engine ground shutdown.
(3) If smoke is detected, inspect for fuel flow in accordance with paragraph 2.B.(1) and 2.B.(2) of the referenced SB.
(i) If fuel flow is not detected, prior to further flight, remove the engine from service and replace with a serviceable engine.
(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 SB.
(iii) Before entry into service, perform an engine ground run and check the fuel system again for smoke emissions through the exhaust pipe, air intake, or turbine casing drain during engine rundown and after shut-down; if smoke emissions still remain after replacement of the electric fuel cock, prior to further flight, remove the engine from service and replace with a serviceable engine.
(b) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable engine is defined as an engine that does not exhibit smoke emissions.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Engines
