Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-14434 · Turbomeca Artouste III Series Turboshaft Engines
Turbomeca Artouste III Series Turboshaft Engines
This AD applies to Turbomeca Artouste III B, B1, and D series turboshaft engines with injection wheels part numbers (P/Ns) 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.
The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbomeca Artouste III series turboshaft engines. That AD currently requires smoke emission checks after every ground engine shutdown, and if necessary, additional checks and possibly removing the engine from service. That action also requires inspection of central labyrinths not previously inspected, or not replaced after the engine logged 1,500 operating hours, and, replacement if necessary. That action also requires the removal of injection wheels at a new lower life limit. This AD includes the same requirements as AD 2002-22-11, but reduces the compliance time for the initial inspection of the central labyrinth and adds repetitive inspections of the central labyrinth. This AD results from reports and analyses of in-flight engine shutdowns occurring since we issued AD 2002-22-11. We are issuing this AD to prevent injection wheel cracks and excessive central labyrinth wear, which could result in an in-flight engine shutdown and possible loss of the helicopter.
Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, unless already done.
Following every engine ground shutdown, do the following using 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.
(g) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable engine is defined as an engine that does not exhibit smoke emissions.
Perform checks and inspections of the central labyrinth and, if necessary, replace the central labyrinth, using paragraph 2 of Turbomeca Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A218 72 0100, Update 2, dated January 23, 2004, and the following Table 1:
| Initial inspection | Repetitive inspection |
|---|---|
| Prior to 1,750 hours Time-Since-New or 1,750 hours Time-Since-Last Inspection (TSLI), or 50 hours from the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later | 1,750 hours TSLI. |
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
