[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 117 (Monday, June 19, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31932-31933]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14871]



 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 117 / Monday, June 19, 1995 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 31932]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-ANE-09]


Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. TPE331 Series 
Turboprop 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 certain AlliedSignal Inc. TPE331 
series turboprop engines. This proposal would establish cyclic 
retirement lives for certain compressor components. This proposal is 
prompted by manufacturer's engine testing and analysis that indicate 
that if these compressor components continue in service without an 
established retirement life, accumulative cyclic effects may result in 
a fatigue failure. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent fatigue failure of engine compressor components and 
an inflight engine shutdown.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 18, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-09, 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.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from AlliedSignal Engines Data Distribution, Dept. 6403/2102-
1M, P.O. Box 29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003; telephone (602) 365-2493, 
FAX (602) 365-2210. This information may be examined at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone 
(310) 627-5246; fax (310) 627-5210.

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 95-ANE-09.'' 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. 95-ANE-09, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    Following an analysis of the AlliedSignal Inc. Model TPE331-14GR 
and TPE331-14HR turboprop engines tieshaft aft thread form, the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA) has determined that main shouldered 
shafts (tieshafts) and forward coupling shafts (stub shafts), installed 
on AlliedSignal Inc. Models TPE331-14A, -14B, -14F, and -15AW turboprop 
engines, are subject to a fatigue limit. Engine testing and analysis 
indicate that if these compressor components, which were previously 
certified as having unlimited service lives, continue in service 
without established retirement lives, fatigue failure may result. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in fatigue failure of engine 
compressor components and an inflight engine shutdown.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of 
AlliedSignal Inc. Service Bulletins (SB's): No. TPE331-A72-7128, dated 
June 10, 1994, No. TPE331-A72-7129, dated June 10, 1994, and No. 
TPE331-A72-7522, dated February 17, 1995, that describe main shouldered 
shaft (tieshaft) cyclic life limits; and No. TPE331-72-7130, dated June 
17, 1994, No. TPE331-72-7131, dated June 17, 1994, and No. TPE331-72-
7523, dated February 17, 1995, that describe forward coupling shaft 
(stub shaft) cyclic life limits.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would establish cyclic retirement lives for main shouldered 
shafts (tieshafts) and forward coupling shafts (stub shafts). The 
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
SB's described previously.
    There are approximately 200 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 150 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 $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $22,000 per engine for engines 
where tieshafts and stub shafts are not serviceable. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $4,020,000.
    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship [[Page 31933]] 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. 95-ANE-09.

    Applicability: AlliedSignal Inc. Models TPE331-14A, -14B, -14F, 
and -15AW turboprop engines, installed on but not limited to the 
following aircraft: Piper Model PA-42-1000 and Grumman Model TS-2A 
(modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate 
SA4837NM).

    Note: This 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 use the authority provided in paragraph (c) to 
request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no 
action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe 
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an 
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe 
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any 
modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the 
applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent fatigue failure of engine compressor components and 
an inflight engine shutdown, accomplish the following:
    (a) For main shouldered shafts (tieshafts), Part Number (P/N) 
3105102-1, initiate a life limited part log card and remove from 
service in accordance with the following schedule and the following 
AlliedSignal Inc. Alert Service Bulletins (ASB's):
    (1) Determine CIS for the main shouldered shafts (tieshafts) as 
follows:
    (i) For main shouldered shafts (tieshafts) installed in TPE331-
14A and -14B engines, in accordance with ASB No. TPE331-A72-7128, 
dated June 10, 1994.
    (ii) For main shouldered shafts (tieshafts) installed in TPE331-
14F engines, in accordance with ASB No. TPE331-A72- 7129, dated June 
10, 1994.
    (iii) For main shouldered shafts (tieshafts) installed in 
TPE331-15AW engines, in accordance with ASB No. TPE331- A72-7522, 
dated February 17, 1995.
    (2) For main shouldered shafts (tieshafts) with greater than 
5,600 cycles in service (CIS) on the effective date of this 
airworthiness directive (AD), or if operating hours or cycles are 
unknown, remove from service within 400 CIS after the effective date 
of this AD.
    (3) For main shouldered shafts (tieshafts) with 5,600 or less 
CIS on the effective date of this AD, remove from service prior to 
accumulating 6,000 CIS.
    (b) For forward coupling shafts (stub shafts), P/N 3104281-2, 
initiate a life limited part log card, reidentify the P/N, serialize 
the forward coupling shaft (stub shaft), at the next major periodic 
inspection or complete disassembly of the compressor module after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, and remove 
from service in accordance with the following AlliedSignal Inc. 
Service Bulletins (SB's):
    (1) For forward coupling shafts (stub shafts) installed in 
TPE331-14A and -14B engines, in accordance with SB No. TPE331-72-
7130, dated June 17, 1994.
    (2) For forward coupling shafts (stub shafts) installed in 
TPE331-14F engines, in accordance with SB No. TPE331-72-7131, dated 
June 17, 1994.
    (3) For forward coupling shafts (stub shafts) installed in 
TPE331-15AW engines, in accordance with SB No. TPE331-72-7523, dated 
February 17, 1995.
    (4) Remove from service forward coupling shafts (stub shafts) 
prior to accumulating 20,000 CIS.

    Note: For guidance on the destruction or marking of parts no 
longer serviceable for aviation use, see Advisory Circular 21-38, 
dated July 5, 1994.

    (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 June 12, 1995.
Ronald L. Vavruska,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-14871 Filed 6-16-95; 8:45 am]
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