[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 86 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10365]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 5, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-ANE-80; Amendment 39-8897; AD 94-09-08]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Allied-Signal Inc., Garrett Engine 
Division, TPE331 Series Turboprop and Model TSE331-3U Turboshaft 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule, request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Allied-Signal Inc., Garrett Engine Division, 
TPE331 series turboprop and Model TSE331-3U turboshaft engines. This 
action requires inspection of certain third stage turbine stator 
assemblies, and replacement, if necessary, with serviceable assemblies. 
This amendment is prompted by reports of six third stage turbine stator 
assemblies assembled with inner seal supports made of incorrect 
material that results in a significantly reduced cyclic life. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent an uncontained 
failure of the third stage turbine wheel.

DATES: May 20, 1994.

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 20, 1994.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before July 5, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-ANE-80, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
AlliedSignal, Inc., Aviation Services Division, Data Distribution Dept. 
64-3/2102-IM, P.O. Box 29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003. This information 
may be examined at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, CA 90806-2425; 
telephone (310) 988-5246, fax (310) 988-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
has received reports of six third stage turbine stator assemblies 
assembled with inner seal supports made of incorrect material that 
significantly reduces the cyclic life of the assembly. The manufacturer 
has identified part serial numbers of 150 third stage turbine stator 
assemblies that may contain the inner seal supports made of Hastelloy S 
material. These assemblies were repaired at the Garrett General 
Aviation Service Division (GGASD) facility in Phoenix, Arizona between 
November 1988 and May 1991. Fatigue failure of the inner seal support 
has resulted in the seal support moving aft and contacting the third 
stage turbine wheel. This condition, if not corrected, can result in an 
uncontained failure of the third stage turbine wheel.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of 
AlliedSignal Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. TPE331-A72-
0906, dated October 15, 1993, that describes procedures for inspecting 
the third stage turbine stator assemblies, and replacing, if necessary, 
with serviceable assemblies.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other engines of this same type design, this AD is 
being issued to prevent an uncontained failure of the third stage 
turbine wheel. This AD requires inspection of third stage turbine 
stator assemblies to determine the acceptability of the inner seal 
supports, and replacement, if necessary, with serviceable assemblies. 
The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
service bulletin described previously.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 93-ANE-80.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866.
    It has been determined further that this action involves an 
emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 
FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this emergency 
regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and 
placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

94-09-08 Allied-Signal Inc., Garrett Engine Division: Amendment 39-
8897. Docket 93-ANE-80.

    Applicability: Allied-Signal Inc., Garrett Engine Division, 
Model TPE331-1, -2, -2UA, -3U, -3UW, -5, -5A, -6, and -6A turboprop 
and Model TSE331-3U turboshaft engines incorporating third stage 
stator turbine assemblies, Part Number (P/N) 868379-3, repaired at 
the Garrett General Aviation Service Division (GGASD) facility in 
Phoenix, Arizona, between November 1988 and May 1991, and identified 
by serial numbers listed in AlliedSignal Aerospace Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) No. TPE331-A72-0906, dated October 15, 1993. These 
engines are installed on but not limited to Mitsubishi MU-2B series 
(MU-2 series); Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA) C-212 
series; Fairchild SA226 series (Swearingen Merlin and Metro series); 
Prop-Jets, Inc. Model 400; Twin Commander 680 and 690 (Jetprop 
Commander), Rockwell Commander S-2R, Shorts Brothers and Harland, 
Ltd. SC7 (Skyvan), Dornier 228 series, Beech 18 and 45 series and 
Models JRB-6, 3N, 3NM, 3TM, and B100, Pilatus PC-6 series (Fairchild 
Porter, Peacemaker), De Havilland Model DH 104 series 7AXC (Dove), 
and Ayres S-2R series airplanes; and Sikorsky S-55 series 
helicopters.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent an uncontained failure of the third stage turbine 
wheel, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect suspect third stage turbine stator assemblies, P/N 
868379-3, and replace, if necessary, with serviceable assemblies, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of AlliedSignal 
Aerospace ASB No. TPE331-A72-0906, dated October 15, 1993, and the 
following schedule: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Third stage turbine                                                    
  stator cycles in                                                      
service since repair                  Inspection schedule               
      by GGASD                                                          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
900 or more cycles..  Within 50 cycles in service after the effective   
                       date of this AD.                                 
450 to 899 cycles...  Within 150 cycles in service after the effective  
                       date of this AD, but not to exceed 950 cycles in 
                       service since repair by GGASD.                   
Less than 450 cycles  Prior to accumulating 600 cycles in service since 
                       repair by GGASD.                                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: The FAA has determined that cracking of third stage 
turbine stator assemblies is related to operating cycles, rather 
than operating hours.

    (b) If cycles cannot be determined, calculate cycles by 
multiplying third stage turbine stator assembly hours time in 
service by 1.5.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
initial compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety 
may be used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office. The request should be forwarded through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) The inspection, and replacement, if necessary, of the third 
stage turbine stator assembly, shall be accomplished in accordance 
with the following ASB, which also identifies third stage turbine 
stator assemblies, P/N 868379-3, repaired at GGASD between November 
1988 and May 1991, by serial number: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Document No.                   Pages         Date       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AlliedSignal Aerospace ASB No. TPE331-A72-      1-10  Oct. 15, 1993.    
 0906.                                                                  
Total pages: 10.                                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Copies may be obtained from AlliedSignal, Inc., Aviation Services 
Division, Data Distribution Dept. 64-3/2102-IM, P.O. Box 29003, 
Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England 
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on May 20, 1994.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 19, 1994.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-10365 Filed 5-4-94; 8:45 am]
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