[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3056-3057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1325]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-ANE-47-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. Model TPE331 Series 
Turboprop 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. Model TPE331 
series turboprop engines. This proposal would require removal of 
suspect fuel manifold assemblies and replacement with serviceable 
assemblies. This proposal is prompted by an FAA investigation into 
Hoses Unlimited's repairs of TPE331 fuel manifolds, which were not 
approved by the FAA. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent fuel leakage at the fuel manifold fittings, 
resulting in fuel spraying on hot turbine components, which could 
result in an engine fire.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 23, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-ANE-47-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments also may 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, 
CA 90712-4137; Telephone (562) 627-5246, Fax (562) 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 97-ANE-47-AD.'' 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. 97-ANE-28-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    This proposed airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to 
AlliedSignal Inc. Model TPE331-8, -10, -11 and -12 series turboprop 
engines with fuel manifold, Part Number (P/N) 3102469-1 or -2, repaired 
by Hoses Unlimited, Inc. prior to November 11, 1995. Following an FAA 
investigation into Hoses Unlimited's repairs of TPE331 fuel manifolds, 
which was not approved by the agency, the FAA determined that the 
repair processes were not consistent and some manifolds were repaired 
using procedures not approved and substantiated by the FAA. The FAA 
discovered that Hoses Unlimited crimped fittings of unfamiliar 
configuration with unsubstantiated force causing excessive deformation 
of the fitting and Teflon tube. Excessive crimping of the 
tetraflourethelene hose onto the fitting's nipple causes reduced 
fatigue resistance of the internal Teflon tube. Reduced fatigue 
resistance may lead to premature and unexpected failure of the fuel 
hose. Although there have been no reported incidents of fuel leakage 
from fuel manifolds repaired by Hoses Unlimited, this condition, if not 
corrected, could result in fuel leakage of the fuel manifold, resulting 
in fuel spraying on hot turbine components, which could result in an 
engine fire.
    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 removal of suspect fuel manifold assemblies 
and replacement with serviceable assemblies.
    There are approximately 70 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 50 engines installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 5 work hours per engine to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $1,800 per engine. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $105,000.
    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 
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

[[Page 3057]]

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. 97-ANE-47-AD.

    Applicability: AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Allied-Signal 
Aerospace Company, Garrett Engine Division and Garrett Turbine 
Engine Co.) Model TPE331-8, -10, -11 and -12 series turboprop 
engines with fuel manifold, Part Number (P/N) 3102469-1 or -2, 
repaired by Hoses Unlimited, Inc. prior to November 20, 1995. These 
engines are installed on but not limited to Ayres S2R-G10; Cessna 
Model 441; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA) C-212 series; 
Dornier 228 series; Fairchild SA226 and SA227 series; Jetstream 3101 
and 3201 series; Mitsubishi MU-2B series (MU-2 series); and Twin 
Commander Aircraft Corp. Models 695 and 695A aircraft.

    Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each 
aircraft 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 (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 fuel leakage of the fuel manifold, resulting in fuel 
spraying on hot turbine components, which could result in an engine 
fire, accomplish the following:
    (a) Check all fuel manifold identification bands for P/Ns 
3102469-1 or -2 and the Hoses Unlimited, Inc. name, or review engine 
and aircraft maintenance records and purchase receipts to establish 
the origin and repairs on all fuel manifolds. If records indicate 
that fuel manifolds, P/Ns 3102469-1 or -2, are not installed in an 
engine or that Hoses Unlimited, Inc. has not been used as a repair 
facility, no further AD action is required.
    (b) Remove from service all fuel manifolds with the Hoses 
Unlimited, Inc. name and P/Ns 3102469-1 or -2 and replace with a 
serviceable fuel manifold in accordance with the applicable 
AlliedSignal engine maintenance manual, at first access to the fuel 
manifold assembly, at the next engine hot section inspection, or 3 
years after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    (c) For the purposes of this AD, first access to the fuel 
manifold is defined as any repair, modification, removal, or testing 
of the fuel manifold assembly or components of the fuel manifold 
assembly.
    (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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office. Operators shall submit their requests 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.

    (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 January 7, 1998.
James C. Jones,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-1325 Filed 1-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U