[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 199 (Monday, October 16, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53548-53550]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25564]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-ANE-16]


Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal, Inc. (Formerly Textron 
Lycoming) LTS101 Series Turboshaft and LTP101 Series Turboprop Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to AlliedSignal, Inc. (formerly 
Textron Lycoming) LTS101 series turboshaft and LTP101 series turboprop 
engines. This proposal would require identifying, removing, and 
replacing certain defective power turbine rotors. This proposal is 
prompted by reports of workmanship deficiencies on certain power 
turbine rotors that can reduce the published life limit of the disk. 
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent power 
turbine rotor failure, which could result in loss of engine power.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 15, 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-16, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8 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, 550 Main St., Stratford, CT 06497; 
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 

[[Page 53549]]
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-16.'' 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-16, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received reports that 
certain power turbine rotors installed on AlliedSignal, Inc. (formerly 
Textron Lycoming) LTS101 series turboshaft and LTP101 series turboprop 
engines may have workmanship deficiencies. These deficiencies may have 
resulted in tool markings and removal of material from unapproved areas 
on rotor assembly disk surfaces. These deficiencies can reduce the life 
limit of the disk to below the published life limit. This condition, if 
not corrected, could result in power turbine rotor failure, which could 
result in loss of engine power.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of Textron 
Lycoming Service Bulletin (SB) No. LT101-72-50-0144, applicable to all 
LTS101 series turboshaft engines except the LTS101-750B2 model, and all 
LTP101 series turboprop engines, dated January 15, 1993; and SB No. 
LT101-72-50-0145, applicable to Model LTS101-750B2 turboshaft engines, 
dated November 27, 1991. These SB's describe procedures for 
identifying, removing, and replacing defective power turbine rotors.
    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 identifying, removing, and replacing certain 
defective power turbine rotors. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the SB's described previously.
    There are approximately 645 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 430 engines installed on 
aircraft of .S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it 
would take approximately 25 work hours per engine to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
The manufacturer has advised the FAA that all required hardware will be 
provided at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$645,000.
    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-16.

    Applicability: AlliedSignal, Inc. (formerly Textron Lycoming) 
LTS101 series turboshaft engines installed on, but not limited to, 
the Eurocopter AS350 and SA366G1, Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm/
Kawasaki MBB-BK117 and the Bell Helicopter Textron 222 aircraft, and 
LTP101 series turboprop engines,installed on but not limited to, the 
Piaggio P166DL and Airtractor AT302 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 (c) 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 power turbine rotor failure, which could result in 
loss of engine power, accomplish the following:
    (a) For all LTS101 series turboshaft engines except the LTS101-
750B2 model, and all LTP101 series turboprop engines, remove and 
replace power turbine rotors identified in Table 1 of Textron 
Lycoming Service Bulletin (SB) No. LT101-72-50-0144, dated January 
15, 1993, in accordance with the accomplishment procedures in 
Textron Lycoming SB No. LT101-72-50-0144, dated January 15, 1993, 
and the following schedule:
    (1) For power turbine rotors with more than 1,000 hours time 
since new (TSN) on the effective date of this AD, remove and replace 
within the next 50 hours time in service (TIS), not to exceed 1,800 
cycles since new (CSN).
    (2) For power turbine rotors with 1,000 hours TSN or less, but 
more than 800 hours TSN on the effective date of this AD, remove and 
replace within the next 100 hours TIS, not to exceed 1,800 CSN.
    (3) For power turbine rotors with 800 hours TSN or less, but 
more than 400 hours TSN on the effective date of this AD, remove and 
replace within the next 150 hours TIS, not to exceed 1,800 CSN.
    (4) For power turbine rotors with 400 hours TSN or less on the 
effective date of this AD, remove and replace no later than 600 
hours TSN, not to exceed 1,800 CSN.
    (b) For all LTS101-750B2 model engines, remove and replace power 
turbine rotors, in 

[[Page 53550]]
accordance with the accomplishment procedures of Textron Lycoming SB 
No. LT101-72-50-0145 dated November 27, 1991, within the next 100 
hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, or 800 hours TSN on 
the power turbine rotor, whichever occurs first.
    (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, 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.

    (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 October 2, 1995.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-25564 Filed 10-13-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U