[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7730-7731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4144]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-ANE-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. and Rajay Inc. Oil 
Scavenge Pumps

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. oil scavenge 
pumps, Part Numbers (P/Ns) 101633-01 and -02 and Rajay Inc. oil 
scavenge pumps, P/Ns 1025-1 and -2. This proposal would require initial 
and repetitive inspections of the oil scavenge pump for the security of 
the snap ring installation, snap ring and washer wear, and shaft groove 
wear, and replacement, if necessary, with serviceable parts. This 
proposal is prompted by reports of severe wear on the end plate of the 
oil scavenge pump. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent oil scavenge pump snap ring failure causing severe 
wear on the pump end plate, which could result in loss of engine oil 
and subsequent engine shutdown.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 21, 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-24, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent 
via the Internet using the following address: ``9-ad-
[email protected]''. Comments sent via the Internet must contain 
the docket number in the subject line. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Simonson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW, Renton, WA 98055-4056; telephone 
(206) 227-2597, fax (206) 227-1181.

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-24.'' 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-24, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received reports of 
severe wear on the pump end plate of AlliedSignal Inc. oil scavenge 
pumps, Part Numbers (P/Ns) 101633-01 and -02 and Rajay Inc. oil 
scavenge pumps, P/Ns 1025-1 and -2. The investigation revealed that the 
pump end plate failure was caused by failure of the snap ring that 
locates the pump rotor along the longitudinal axis of the pump. Further 
investigation revealed an incident where the pump end plate was worn 
completely through, resulting in loss of engine oil and subsequent 
engine shutdown. This condition, if not corrected, could result in oil 
scavenge pump snap ring failure causing severe wear on the pump end 
plate, which could result in loss of engine oil and subsequent engine 
shutdown.
    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 and repetitive inspections of the oil 
scavenge pump for security of the snap ring installation, snap ring and 
washer wear, and shaft groove wear, and replacement, if necessary, with 
serviceable parts. The FAA has determined that changes in pump design 
may warrant future rulemaking.
    The FAA estimates that 3,000 pumps installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD. The FAA estimates that 
it would take approximately 4 work hours per oil scavenge pump to 
accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Required parts, if the scavenge pump requires 
replacement, would cost approximately $1,000 per oil scavenge pump. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,720,000.
    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

[[Page 7731]]

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:

Allied Signal Inc. and Rajay Inc.: Docket No. 96-ANE-24.

    Applicability: AlliedSignal Inc. oil scavenge pumps, Part 
Numbers (P/Ns) 101633-01 and -02 and Rajay oil scavenge pumps, P/Ns 
1025-1 or -2, installed on Teledyne Continental Motors IO-470 and 
TSIO-520 series, and Textron Lycoming O-360, IO-360, and IO-540 
series reciprocating engines. These engines are installed on but not 
limited to reciprocating engine powered aircraft manufactured by 
Aerostar Aircraft Corporation, Cessna, Curtiss-Wright Corporation 
(Travel Air), Helio Enterprises, Inc., The New Piper Aircraft 
Corporation, Revo Inc. (Lake), and Twin Commander.

    Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each oil 
scavenge pump 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 oil scavenge 
pumps 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 (d) 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 oil scavenge pump snap ring failure causing severe 
wear on the pump end plate, which could result in loss of engine oil 
and subsequent engine shutdown, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 25 hours time in service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD, inspect oil scavenge pumps in accordance with the 
following instructions or Aerostar Aircraft Corporation Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. SB600-131, dated June 14, 1996.
    (1) Remove the oil scavenge pump and inspect for security of the 
snap ring installation.
    (2) Remove the snap ring and washer between the snap ring and 
bearing, and inspect the snap ring and washer for wear, consisting 
of thinning or bevelling at the inside diameter. If any wear visible 
to the naked eye is detected, replace with a serviceable snap ring 
and washer prior to further flight.
    (3) Inspect the shaft groove for round wear on the spline side 
of the groove. If any wear visible to the naked eye is detected, 
replace with a serviceable shaft prior to further flight.
    (4) If the snap ring is not in the shaft groove, disassemble the 
entire scavenge pump and inspect for internal damage prior to 
further flight. If any internal damage is found, replace the oil 
scavenge pump with a serviceable oil scavenge pump prior to further 
flight.
    (b) Thereafter, at each 100-hour and annual inspection, perform 
repetitive inspections, and, if necessary, replace with serviceable 
parts, in accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) Accomplishment of the procedures described in Aerostar 
Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. SB600-131, dated June 14, 
1996, constitutes an acceptable alternative method of compliance for 
the actions required by this AD.
    (d) 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, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office.

    (e) 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 February 4, 1997.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-4144 Filed 2-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U