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2012-08-18: PT Blade Rupture

FAA order 2012-08-18 is an airworthiness directive in force since May 30, 2012. The FAA's subject line: PT Blade Rupture. It names the Turbomeca (Safran) ARRIEL 2B, Turbomeca (Safran) ARRIEL 2B1 engines: about 291 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: engine.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Engine
Makes
Turbomeca S.A.
Models
Arriel 2B, Arriel 2B1
Engine series
Turbomeca (Safran) ARRIEL 2B 20 aircraft
Turbomeca (Safran) ARRIEL 2B1 271 aircraft

Dates and paperwork

In force since
May 30, 2012
Published
April 25, 2012 (signed April 17, 2012)
Docket
FAA-2012-0010
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines. This AD was prompted by the discovery of non-conformities of certain power turbine (PT) blade fir-tree roots. This AD requires removing the affected PT blades from service on or before reaching a new reduced life limit for those certain PT blades. We are issuing this AD to prevent PT blade rupture, which could result in an uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown, forced autorotation landing, or accident.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (3,555 characters)
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 0 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] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): 2012-08-18 Turbomeca S.A: Amendment 39-17035; Docket No. FAA-2012- 0010; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-03-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective May 30, 2012. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines with at least one installed power turbine (PT) blade part number (P/N) 2 292 81 A01 0, serial numbers (S/Ns) 102782 through 120230 inclusive, or, S/Ns 120293 through 120390 inclusive. (d) Reason This AD was prompted by the detection of geometric non- conformities on PT blade fir-tree roots. We are issuing this AD to prevent PT blade rupture, which could result in an uncommanded in- flight engine shutdown, forced autorotation landing, or accident. (e) Actions and Compliance Unless already done, do the following actions within 5,000 flight cycles-since-new (CSN) on the PT blades, or within one month after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (1) Replace the PT blades with PT blades eligible for installation; or (2) Replace the M04 module with an M04 module having PT blades eligible for installation; or (3) Replace the PT wheel assembly with a PT wheel assembly having PT blades eligible for installation. (4) Guidance on the replacements specified in paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(3) can be found in Turbomeca S.A. Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin No. A292 72 2842, Version A, dated September 23, 2011. (f) Definition For the purposes of this AD, a PT blade eligible for installation is one not listed in paragraph (c) of this AD or, one listed in paragraph (c) of this AD with fewer than 5,000 flight CSN. (g) Installation Prohibition From the effective date of this AD: (1) Do not install a PT blade as listed in paragraph (c) of this AD, that has 5,000 or more flight CSN, into any engine. (2) Do not install any engine with a PT blade as listed in paragraph (c) of this AD, that has 5,000 or more flight CSN, onto a helicopter. (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. (i) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Rose Len, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-238-7199; email: rose.len@faa.gov. (2) Refer to MCAI EASA AirworthinessDirective 2011-0218, dated November 10, 2011, and Turbomeca S.A. Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin No. A292 72 2842, Version A, dated September 23, 2011, for related information. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: 33 05 59 74 40 00; fax: 33 05 [[Page 24587]] 59 74 45 15. You may review copies of the referenced 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. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference None.

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 5, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2012-08-18.json · aircraft systems.