[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 6, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57342-57343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28452]


 ========================================================================
 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. 61, No. 216 / Wednesday, November 6, 1996 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 57342]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-ANE-26]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. ALF502 and LF507 
Series Turbofan 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) ALF502 and LF507 series turbofan engines. This 
proposal would require initial and repetitive on-wing eddy current or 
shop fluorescent penetrant inspections of fuel manifold assemblies for 
cracks, and replacement, if necessary, with serviceable parts. In 
addition, this AD presents an optional terminating action to the 
repetitive inspections by replacing the fuel manifold assembly with an 
assembly of a new, improved design. This proposal is prompted by 
reports of cracking of the fuel manifold assembly at the No. 5 and 6 
scallop location. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended 
to prevent cracking of the fuel manifold assembly, which could result 
in an engine fire.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 6, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-ANE-26, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be 
submitted to the Rules Docket by using the following Internet address: 
``[email protected]''. All comments must contain the 
Docket No. in the subject line of the comment. 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 Aerospace, Attn: Data Distribution, M/S 64-
3/2101-201, P.O. Box 29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003; telephone (602) 
365-2493, fax (602) 365-5577. This information may be examined at the 
FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raymond Vakili, Aerospace Engineer, 
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone 
(310) 627-5262; 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 96-ANE-26.'' 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. 96-ANE-26, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received reports of 
cracking of the fuel manifold assembly at the No. 5 and 6 scallop 
location on AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Textron Lycoming) ALF502 and 
LF507 series turbofan engines. The investigation revealed that the 
thermal growth mismatch of the fuel manifold has resulted in a high low 
cycle fatigue (LCF) stress concentration in the No. 5 and No. 6 scallop 
area. This condition, if not corrected, could result in cracking of the 
fuel manifold assembly, which could result in an engine fire.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of the 
following Service Bulletins (SBs): AlliedSignal Aerospace SB No. ALF/LF 
73-1002, dated December 22, 1995, that describes procedures for initial 
and repetitive on-wing eddy current (ECI) or shop fluorescent penetrant 
inspections (FPI) of fuel manifold assemblies for cracks, and 
replacement, if necessary, with serviceable parts; and AlliedSignal 
Aerospace SB No. ALF502R 73-14, Revision 1, dated September 25, 1992, 
and Textron Lycoming SB No. LF507-1H 73-2, dated September 10, 1992, 
that describe procedures for replacing the fuel manifold assembly with 
an assembly of a new, improved design.
    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 initial or repetitive on-wing ECI and shop 
FPI of fuel manifold assemblies for cracks, and replacement, if 
necessary, with serviceable parts. In addition, this AD presents an 
optional terminating action to the repetitive inspections by replacing 
the fuel manifold assembly with an assembly of a new, improved design, 
Part Number 2-163-620-37 or -38. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the SBs described previously.
    There are approximately 1,500 engines of the affected design in the

[[Page 57343]]

worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 270 engines installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD; that 
it would take approximately 2 work hours per engine per inspection to 
accomplish the ECI, 4 work hours per engine per inspection to 
accomplish the FPI, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the annual total cost impact of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $97,200 at the 
estimated rate of one inspection per year.
    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), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

AlliedSignal Inc.: Docket No. 96-ANE-26.

    Applicability: AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Textron Lycoming) 
ALF502 and LF507 series turbofan engines, installed on but not 
limited to British Aerospace BAe 146 and Avro International RJ-70 
series, and Canadair CL-600 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 request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with 
paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment 
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition 
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific 
proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent cracking of the fuel manifold assembly, which could 
result in an engine fire, accomplish the following:
    (a) Perform initial and repetitive on-wing eddy current 
inspection (ECI) or shop fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of 
fuel manifold assemblies for cracks, and replace, if necessary, with 
serviceable parts, in accordance with AlliedSignal Aerospace Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. ALF/LF 73-1002, dated December 22, 1995, as 
follows:
    (1) For fuel manifold assemblies with 2,000 or more cycles since 
new (CSN), or unknown CSN, on the effective date of this AD, inspect 
within 1,250 cycles in service (CIS) after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (2) For fuel manifold assemblies with less than 2,000 CSN on the 
effective date of this AD, inspect prior to accumulating 3,250 CSN.
    (3) Thereafter, inspect at intervals not to exceed 1,250 CIS 
since last inspection.
    (4) If a fuel manifold assembly is found cracked, prior to 
further flight, replace with a serviceable fuel manifold assembly, 
Part Number (P/N) 2-163-620-37 or -38.
    (b) Installation of a new, improved fuel manifold assembly, P/N 
2-163-620-37 or -38, constitutes terminating action to the 
inspection requirements of paragraph (a) of this 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 October 29, 1996.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-28452 Filed 11-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U