[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]
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