[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 109 (Monday, June 8, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31108-31109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15089]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-ANE-47-AD; Amendment 39-10565; AD 98-12-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. Model TPE331 Series 
Turboprop Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to AlliedSignal Inc. Model TPE331 series turboprop engines, 
that requires removal of suspect fuel manifold assemblies and 
replacement with serviceable assemblies. This amendment 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 
this 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: Effective August 7, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 31109]]

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: 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. 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, was published in the Federal Register on January 
21, 1998 (63 FR 3056). That action proposed to require removal of 
suspect fuel manifold assemblies and replacement with serviceable 
assemblies.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.
    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 will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 5 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 $1,800 per engine. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $105,000.
    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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

98-12-09  AlliedSignal Inc.: Amendment 39-10565. Docket 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 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 (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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 7, 1998.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1998.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15089 Filed 6-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U