[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 150 (Friday, August 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19126]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 5, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-ANE-10]

 

Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal, Inc. TPE331 Series 
Turboprop and TSE331 Series Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to AlliedSignal, Inc. (formerly 
Allied-Signal, Inc., Garrett Engine Division, Garrett Turbine Engine 
Company, and AiResearch Manufacturing Co. of Arizona) TPE331 series 
turboprop and TSE331 series turboshaft engines. This proposal would 
require a record check of engine records to determine if any repair, 
assembly, modification, or installation work was performed by Fliteline 
Maintenance, or Mr. Eugene E. Shanks, or Mr. Carl Ramirez. In addition, 
for engines determined to have repair, assembly, modification, or 
installation work performed by Fliteline Maintenance, or Mr. Eugene E. 
Shanks, or Mr. Carl Ramirez, this action would require verification of 
all life-limited components, inspection of affected components, and 
verification of compliance with all applicable AD's. This proposal is 
prompted by the results of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
investigation involving engines repaired, assembled, modified, or 
installed by Fliteline Maintenance. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent uncontained failure of turbine 
rotors, fire, or loss of aircraft control.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 6, 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. 94-ANE-10, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal 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 94-ANE-10.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-ANE-10, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received a report of an 
aircraft accident involving an Ayres S2R-600 aircraft, with a modified 
AlliedSignal, Inc. (formerly Allied-Signal, Inc., Garrett Engine 
Division, Garrett Turbine Engine Company, and AiResearch Manufacturing 
Co. of Arizona) Model TPE331-1-151A turboprop engine installed. The FAA 
has determined that the engine installed on the accident aircraft was a 
model not approved for that aircraft and was improperly configured. 
Maintenance on that engine was performed by Mr. Eugene E. Shanks, 
mechanic certificate number 1914482, the owner of Fliteline 
Maintenance, domestic repair station certificate number GR2R856K. Since 
this accident, the FAA conducted further investigation of other 
AlliedSignal, Inc. TPE331 series engines repaired or maintained by Mr. 
Eugene E. Shanks under the name of Fliteline Maintenance. On these 
engines, the FAA found that the requirements of some applicable 
airworthiness directives (AD's) had not been performed when the engine 
records indicated that the work had been performed, the records for 
life-limited turbine components indicated more useful life than the 
components actually had remaining, parts were installed that are not 
approved for aircraft use, and modifications that had been performed 
without approved data. In addition, the FAA has determined that the 
records maintained by Fliteline Maintenance on the engines it repaired, 
assembled, modified, or installed do not identify all of the suspect 
engine models and serial numbers. These conditions, if not corrected, 
could result in uncontained failure of turbine rotors, fire, or loss of 
aircraft control.
    Since unsafe conditions have been identified that are likely to 
exist or develop on other AlliedSignal, Inc. TPE331 series turboprop 
and TSE331 series turboshaft engines of the same type design, the 
proposed AD would require a check of engine records to determine if any 
repair, assembly, modification, or installation work was performed by 
Fliteline Maintenance, or Mr. Eugene E. Shanks, or his associate, Mr. 
Carl Ramirez, mechanic certificate number 466432551. In addition, this 
proposed AD would require operators to accomplish a verification 
procedure for life-limited turbine components and to verify that the 
requirements of all applicable AD's have actually been accomplished.
    The FAA estimates that 500 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 80 work hours per engine to accomplish the proposed 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $2,200,200.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under 
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ``ADDRESSES.''

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) 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:

AlliedSignal, Inc.: Docket No. 94-ANE-10.

    Applicability: AlliedSignal, Inc. (formerly Allied-Signal, Inc., 
Garrett Engine Division, Garrett Turbine Engine Company, and 
AiResearch Manufacturing Co. of Arizona), TPE331-25, -43, -1, -2, -
3, -5, -6, -8, -10, -11, and -12 series, and -55B and -61A Model 
turboprop engines; and TSE331-3U Model turboshaft engines. These 
engines are installed on but not limited to Mitsubishi MU-2B series 
(MU-2 series) Solitaire/Marquise; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. 
(CASA) C-212 series; British Aerospace (BAe) Jetstream 3101 and 3201 
(31 and 32) series; Fairchild SA226 and SA227 series (Swearingen 
Merlin and Metro series); Prop-Jets, Inc. Model 400; Cessna Model 
441 (Conquest); Twin Commander 680, 690, 695 (Jetprop Commander); 
Rockwell Commander or Ayres Corp. 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); DeHavilland DH 104 Dove series; Grumman Model 
TS-2A; Grumman American Model G-164C; and Schweitzer Model G-164 
series aircraft.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent uncontained failure of turbine rotors, fire, or loss 
of aircraft control, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 20 hours time in service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this airworthiness directive (AD), review engine 
records and other pertinent information to identify any repair, 
assembly, modification, or installation work that was performed by 
Fliteline Maintenance, domestic repair station certificate number 
GR2R856K; or Mr. Eugene E. Shanks, mechanic certificate number 
1914482; or Mr. Carl Ramirez, mechanic certificate number 466432551.
    (b) For engines with repair, assembly, modification, or 
installation work identified in accordance with paragraph (a) of 
this AD, within the next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of 
this AD, accomplish the following:
    (1) If records or other pertinent information indicate that the 
engine was disassembled beyond shaft nut removal from the tie bolt, 
by Fliteline Maintenance, or Mr. Eugene E. Shanks, or Mr. Carl 
Ramirez, verify life-limited turbine components and take appropriate 
action by the following methods:
    (i) Remove, disassemble the engine, compare, and match each 
component's part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) against that 
engine's issued life-limit log cards.
    (ii) Validate all life-limit log card entries by utilizing the 
component's hourly and cyclic life as determined by records of the 
engine manufacturer or FAA-certified repair stations other than 
Fliteline Maintenance, or Mr. Eugene E. Shanks, or Mr. Carl Ramirez. 
Photocopied life-limit log cards may be used provided component 
history can be established.
    (iii) If the P/N, S/N, hourly and cyclic lives or the life-limit 
log card of each life-limited turbine component do not match or can 
not be validated, remove the component from service prior to further 
flight and replace with a serviceable component.
    (2) Verify that any requirements of AD's signed off by Fliteline 
Maintenance, or Mr. Eugene E. Shanks, or Mr. Carl Ramirez were 
actually accomplished by visual examination or reinspection of the 
affected components in accordance with the applicable AD.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
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 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 29, 1994.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-19126 Filed 8-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P