[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]
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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.
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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).
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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]
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