[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17972-17973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9581]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-ANE-01-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce, plc Viper Models Mk.521, 
and Mk.522 Turbojet 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 Rolls-Royce, plc (R-R) Viper 
Models Mk.521, and Mk.522 series turbojet engines. This proposal would 
require replacement of certain high pressure (HP) fuel pumps with an 
improved design which is more tolerant of water contaminated, low 
lubricity fuels. This proposal is prompted by reports of HP fuel pump 
drive shaft failures resulting in inflight engine shutdowns and at 
least two reported near dual engine events. These failures have been 
attributed to the low lubricity properties of water contaminated fuel. 
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent HP 
fuel pump failures, which can result in inflight engine shutdowns and 
the possibility of dual engine events.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 12, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-ANE-01-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be 
submitted to the Rules Docket by using the following Internet address: 
``[email protected]''.
    Comments may be inspected at this location between 8:00 a.m. and 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Rolls-Royce, plc, Technical Publications Department CLS-
4, P.O. Box 3, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7QE England; telephone 117-979-
1234, fax 117-979-7575. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 
238-7176, fax (781) 238-7199.

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 98-ANE-01-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 Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-ANE-01-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom (UK), recently notified the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA) that an unsafe condition may exist on 
Rolls-Royce, plc (R-R) Viper Models Mk.521, and Mk.522 series turbojet 
engines. The CAA advises that they have received reports of 12 
incidents of high pressure (HP) fuel pump failures, including two near 
dual engine events, due to fuel pump drive shaft failure. Failures were 
attributed to the low lubricity properties of water contaminated fuel. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in HP fuel pump 
failures, which can result in inflight engine shutdowns and the 
possibility of dual engine events.
    Rolls-Royce, plc has issued Service Bulletins (SBs) No. 73-A115 and 
73-A118, both Revision 1, dated February 1996, that specify replacing 
affected HP fuel pumps with improved pumps. The CAA classified these 
SBs mandatory and issued ADs 003-02-96 and 004-02-96 in order to assure 
the airworthiness of these engines in the UK.
    This engine model is manufactured in the UK and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the 
CAA, reviewed all available information, and

[[Page 17973]]

determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design 
that are certificated for operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other engines of the same type design registered in 
the United States, the proposed AD would require replacement of certain 
HP fuel pumps with improved pumps at the earliest of the following: 160 
hours time in service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, the 
next shop visit after the effective date of this AD, or the next HP 
fuel pump removal after the effective date of this AD. Compliance times 
were determined in accordance with CAA recommendations and R-R risk 
analysis. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the SBs described previously.
    There are approximately 280 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 104 engines installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 4 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 $18,000 per engine. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $1,896,960.
    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 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:

Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. 98-ANE-01-AD.

    Applicability: Rolls-Royce, plc (R-R) Viper Models Mk.521, and 
Mk.522 turbojet engines, with high pressure (HP) fuel pumps, part 
numbers (P/Ns) MGBB.167, MGBB.137, or MGBB.168, installed. These 
engines are installed on but not limited to Raytheon (formerly 
British Aerospace, Hawker Siddeley) Model DH.125 series aircraft.

    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 (c) 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 HP fuel pump failures, which can result in inflight 
engine shutdowns and the possibility of dual engine events, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove from service affected HP fuel pumps, and replace with 
serviceable, improved HP fuel pumps, at the earliest of the 
following: 160 hours time in service (TIS) after the effective date 
of this AD, the next shop visit after the effective date of this AD, 
or the next HP fuel pump removal after the effective date of this 
AD, as follows:
    (1) For HP fuel pumps installed on R-R Viper Mk.521 engines, 
replace HP fuel pumps, P/N MGBB.167, with improved, serviceable fuel 
pumps, P/N MGBB.182, in accordance with R-R SB No. 73-A118, Revision 
1, dated February 1996.
    (2) For HP fuel pumps installed on R-R Viper Mk.522 engines, 
replace HP fuel pumps, P/Ns MGBB.137 or MGBB.168, with improved, 
serviceable fuel pumps, P/N MGBB.183, in accordance with R-R SB No. 
73-A115, Revision 1, dated February 1996.
    (b) For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is defined as the 
induction of an engine into the shop for any reason.
    (c) 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, Engine Certification Office. 
Operators shall submit their request through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Engine 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 Engine Certification Office.

    (d) 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 April 2, 1998.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9581 Filed 4-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P