[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8849-8850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4248]
[[Page 8849]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-75-AD; Amendment 39-10353; AD 98-04-42]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Grumman Model TS-2A Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all Grumman Model TS-2A series airplanes, that requires
revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to modify the limitation that
prohibits positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop
during flight, and to add a statement of the consequences of such
positioning of the power levers. This amendment is prompted by
incidents and accidents involving airplanes equipped with turboprop
engines in which the ground propeller beta range was used improperly
during flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed and consequent
loss of engine power, caused by the power levers being positioned below
the flight idle stop when the airplane is in flight.
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 30, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this rulemaking action may be
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Hoerman, Aerospace Engineer,
Flight Test Branch, ANM-160L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 527-5371; fax (562) 625-
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 all Grumman Model TS-2A series
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 9, 1997 (62
FR 64780). That action proposed to require revising the Limitations
Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to modify the limitation
that prohibits positioning of the power levers below the flight idle
stop while the airplane is in flight, and adds a statement of the
consequences of positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop
while the airplane is in flight.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Interim Action
This is considered interim action until final action is identified,
at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 1 airplane of U.S. registry will be affected
by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on the
single U.S. operator is estimated to be $60.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
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, 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-04-42 Grumman: Amendment 39-10353. Docket 97-NM-75-AD.
Applicability: All Model TS-2A series airplanes, certificated in
any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane 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 airplanes 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 loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed
and consequent loss of engine power, caused by the power levers
being positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in
flight, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) to include the following statements. This action may be
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
Positioning of power levers below the flight idle stop while the
airplane is in flight is prohibited. Such positioning may lead to
loss of airplane control or may result in an overspeed condition and
consequent loss of engine power.
(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 (ACO),
[[Page 8850]]
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Operations Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles
ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(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 airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on March 30, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 12, 1998.
Gilbert L. Thompson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4248 Filed 2-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U