[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 80 (Friday, April 25, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20100-20102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10766]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-ANE-25; Amendment 39-9979; AD 97-07-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. T5311, T5313, T5317, 
and T53 (Military) Series Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Textron Lycoming) T5311, 
T5313, T5317, and T53 series military engines approved for installation 
on aircraft certified in accordance with Section 21.25 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (FAR), that requires removal and replacement of 
the N2 spur gear nut retainer (lock cup). This amendment is prompted by 
reports of N2 spur gear nut retainer (lock cup) separation. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent N2 accessory drive 
assembly disengagement due to N2 spur gear nut retainer (lock cup) 
separation, which could result in an uncommanded engine acceleration.

DATES: Effective June 24, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 24, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 
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: 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: 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 
Textron Lycoming) T5311, T5313, T5317, and T53 series military engines 
approved for installation on aircraft certified in accordance with 
Section 21.25 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) was published 
in the Federal Register on November 13, 1996 (61 FR 58148). That action 
proposed to require removal and replacement of the N2 spur gear nut 
retainer (lock cup) with a more durable machined lock cup.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received.
    The commenter (the manufacturer) states that the total time for 
access and replacement of the affected part should be changed from 3 
hours to 16 hours to reflect access, removal, replacement, and closing. 
The FAA concurs and has revised the economic analysis of this final 
rule accordingly.
    Since issuance of the NPRM, the manufacturer has issued Revision 1, 
dated October 25, 1996, of AlliedSignal Engines Service Bulletin (SB) 
No. T53-L-13B-0082, and SB No. T53-L-703-0084. This final rule AD 
references these later revisions.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will not increase 
the scope of the AD.
    There are approximately 450 (excluding military) engines of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 125 
(excluding military) engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD,

[[Page 20101]]

that it will take approximately 16 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 $75 per engine. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $129,375.
    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 ``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:

97-07-05 AlliedSignal Inc.: Amendment 39-9979. Docket 96-ANE-25.

    Applicability: AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Textron Lycoming) 
T5311, T5313, T5317, and T53 (military) series turboshaft engines, 
installed on but not limited to Bell Helicopter Textron 209, 205, 
and 204 series, and Kaman K-1200 series aircraft, and the following 
military aircraft: Bell Helicopter Textron AH-1 and UH-1, and 
Grumman OV-1 (turboprop installation), certified in accordance with 
Section 21.25 or 21.27 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR).

    Note 1: 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 (b) 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 N2 accessory drive assembly disengagement due to N2 
spur gear nut retainer (lock cup) separation, which could result in 
an uncommanded engine acceleration, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 300 hours time in service, or 2 years after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, remove from 
service N2 spur gear nut retainers (lock cups), Part Number (P/N) 1-
070-066-01, and replace with N2 spur gear nut retainers P/Ns 1-070-
066-02 or 1-070-066-03, in accordance with the following applicable 
AlliedSignal Aerospace Service Bulletins (SBs):
    (1) For retainers installed on T5311 and T53-L-11 (military) 
series engines, in accordance with SB No. T5311/T53-L-11-0080, dated 
May 28, 1996.
    (2) For retainers installed on T5313B and T5317 series engines, 
in accordance with SB No. T5313B/T5317-0081, Revision 1, dated May 
28, 1996.
    (3) For retainers installed on T53-L-13B/SSA/SSB (military) 
series engines, in accordance with SB No. T53-L-13B-0082, Revision 
1, dated October 25, 1996.
    (4) For retainers installed on T53-L-13B/SSD (military) series 
engines, in accordance with SB No. T53-L-13B/D-0083, dated May 28, 
1996.
    (5) For retainers installed on T53-L-703 (military) series 
engines, in accordance with SB No. T53-L-703-0084, Revision 1, dated 
October 25, 1996.
    (b) 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 2: 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.

    (c) 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.
    (d) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following AlliedSignal Engines SBs:

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              Document No.                 Pages             Revision                         Date              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T5311/T53-L-11-0080....................       1-4  Original...................  May 28, 1996.                   
    Total Pages: 4.                                                                                             
T5313B/T5317-0081......................       1-4  1..........................  May 28, 1996.                   
    Total Pages: 4.                                                                                             
T53-L-13B-0082.........................       1-4  1..........................  October 25, 1996.               
    Total Pages: 4.                                                                                             
T53-L-13B/D-0083.......................       1-4  Original...................  May 28, 1996.                   
    Total Pages: 4.                                                                                             
T53-L-703-0084.........................       1-4  1..........................  October 25, 1996.               
    Total Pages: 4.                                                                                             
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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, 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. Copies may 
be 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 24, 1997.


[[Page 20102]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 8, 1997.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-10766 Filed 4-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U