[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 26, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13081-13083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7135]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-ANE-09; Amendment 39-9548; AD 96-06-11]


Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. TPE331 Series 
Turboprop Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Garrett Engine 
Division) TPE331 series turboprop engines, that establishes cyclic 
retirement lives for certain compressor components. This amendment 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 this AD are intended to 
prevent fatigue failure of engine compressor components and an inflight 
engine shutdown.

DATES: Effective May 28, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 28, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from AlliedSignal Aerospace, Data Distribution, M/S 64-03/
2101-201, P.O. Box 29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003; telephone (602) 365-
2493, fax (602) 365-5577. This information may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (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.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly 
Garrett Engine Division) Models TPE331-14A, -14B, -14F, and -15AW 
turboprop engines was published in the Federal Register on June 19, 
1995 (60 FR 31932). That action proposed to establish cyclic retirement 
lives for main shouldered shafts (tieshafts) and forward coupling 
shafts (stub shafts) in accordance with the following AlliedSignal 
Engines service documents: Alert Service Bulletins (ASB'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 Service 
Bulletins (SB's) 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.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.
    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 will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 80 work hours per engine to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will 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 AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$4,020,000.
    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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a

[[Page 13082]]
``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 
FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final 
evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it 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 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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

96-06-11  AlliedSignal Inc.: Amendment 39-9548. Docket 95-ANE-09.

    Applicability: AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Garrett Engine 
Division) 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 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 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 cycles in service (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 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, identify 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, 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.
    (e) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following AlliedSignal Engines service documents:

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            Document No.                Pages                  Revision                          Date           
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASB No. TPE331-A72-7128............          1-4  Original.........................  June 10, 1994.             
    Total Pages: 4.                                                                                             
ASB No. TPE331-A72-7129............          1-4  Original.........................  June 10, 1994.             
    Total Pages: 4.                                                                                             
ASB No. TPE331-A72-7522............          1-2  Original.........................  Feb. 17, 1995.             
    Total Pages: 2.                                                                                             
SB No. TPE331-72-7130..............          1-6  Original.........................  June 17, 1994.             
    Total Pages: 6.                                                                                             
SB No. TPE331-72-7131..............          1-6  Original.........................  June 17, 1994.             
    Total Pages: 6.                                                                                             
SB No. TPE331-72-7523..............          1-6  Original.........................  Feb. 17, 1995.             
    Total pages: 6.                                                                                             
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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 Aerospace, Data Distribution, 
M/S 6403/2101-201, P.O. Box 29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003; telephone 
(602) 365-2493, fax (602) 365-5577. Copies may be

[[Page 13083]]
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 28, 1996.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 12, 1996.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-7135 Filed 3-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P