[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 161 (Monday, August 21, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43413-43415]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20621]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-ANE-12]


Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal, Inc. LTS101-600 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. LTS101-600 
series turboshaft engines. This proposal would require installation of 
an improved design fuel control. This proposal is prompted by reports 
of fuel control bearings failing prior to the recommended overhaul 
period. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent a fuel control failure, which could result in an uncommanded 
increase or decrease in engine power.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 20, 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-12, 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 Customer Support, AlliedSignal Engines, 550 Main St., 
Stratford, CT 06497-7593; telephone (203) 385-1135, fax (203) 385-1272. 
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: Dave Keenan, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617) 
238-7139, fax (617) 238-7199.

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 

[[Page 43414]]
Docket Number 95-ANE-12.'' 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-12, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The AlliedSignal, Inc. Models LTS101-600A-2/A-3 turboshaft engine 
utilizes an AlliedSignal Aerospace Equipment Division (formerly 
AlliedSignal Controls and Accessories/Bendix) fuel control, Part Number 
(P/N) 4-301-098-XX or P/N 4-301-288-XX, mated to a Chandler Evans fuel 
pump, P/N 4-301-128-03. An early design of the LTS101 fuel pump shaft 
seal had a tendency to leak fuel briefly during engine starts. As the 
fuel control shaft mates with the fuel pump shaft, the leakage could 
enter the fuel control drive bearings, which are lubricated with 
Rheotemp 500, a blue grease for which fuel is a solvent. The fuel 
control bearing grease could then become washed out, and the bearings 
may not be capable of continuing to operate for the recommend overhaul 
period of 2,400 hours. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in a fuel control failure, which could result in an uncommanded 
increase or decrease in engine power.
    To reduce the impact of blue grease washout, AlliedSignal Aerospace 
Equipment Division has improved the bearing design by using the 
existing ball bearing with a Meldin impregnated bearing retainer 
(cage). Meldin 8100 is a porous polymide that retains Rheotemp 500 
grease after exposure to fuel.
    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reviewed and approved 
the technical contents of AlliedSignal Engines Service Bulletin (SB) 
No. LTS101A-73-20-0166, Revision 1, dated November 21, 1994, that 
describes procedures for installing improved fuel controls.
    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 require the installation of an improved fuel control 
in accordance with Service Bulletin LTS101A-73-20-0166. The 
installation would be required at the next replacement of an affected 
fuel control, or not exceeding 300 hours time in service (TIS) after 
the effective date of this airworthiness directive (AD), or December 1, 
1995, whichever occurs first. The compliance time is based on the fact 
that the main fuel control bearing failures are random in nature and 
are dependent upon fuel occasionally leaking past the fuel pump drive 
shaft seal. The FAA has determined that the existing LTS101 maintenance 
requirements, along with design changes made to the main fuel pump, 
will significantly minimize the potential for future events during this 
drawdown period. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the SB described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 216 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 2.5 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 $1,000 per engine. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $248,400.
    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. 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

AlliedSignal, Inc.: Docket No. 95-ANE-12.

    Applicability: AlliedSignal, Inc. Models LTS101-600A-2 and A-3 
turboshaft engines, installed on but not limited to Eurocopter AS350 
series aircraft.
    Note: This airworthiness directive (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 (b) to request approval from the 
Federal Aviation Administration (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 a fuel control failure, which could result in an 
uncommanded increase or decrease in available engine power, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) At the next replacement of an affected fuel control, prior 
to accumulating 300 hours time in service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD, or December 1, 1995, whichever occurs first, 
accomplish the following in accordance with AlliedSignal Engines 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. LTS101A-73-20-0166, Revision 1, dated 
November 21, 1994:
    (1) For AlliedSignal, Inc. Model LTS101-600A-2 engines, install 
an improved fuel control, P/N 4-301-098-04 with ``B'' or ``BF'' 
stamped on the data plate after the dash number of the AlliedSignal 
Aerospace Equipment Division (formerly AlliedSignal Controls and 
Accessories/Bendix) P/N, or P/N 4-301-098-15.
    (2) For AlliedSignal, Inc. Model LTS101-600A-3 engines, install 
an improved fuel control, P/N 4-301-288-02 with ``B'' or ``BF'' 
stamped on the data plate after the dash number of the AlliedSignal 
Aerospace Equipment Division (formerly AlliedSignal Controls and 
Accessories/Bendix) P/N, or P/N 4-301-288-04.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that 

[[Page 43415]]
provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the 
Manager, Engine 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, 
Engine Certification Office.

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

    (c) 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 August 15, 1995.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-20621 Filed 8-18-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U