[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 23, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33435-33437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15904]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-26-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Tay 620-15, Tay 650-15, 
and Tay 651-54 Series Turbofan 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 Tay 620-15, Tay 
650-15, and Tay 651-54 series turbofan engines. This proposal would 
require initial and repetitive visual inspections of the emergency fuel 
shutoff cable for broken strands or failed cables, and, if necessary, 
replacement with serviceable parts. This proposal is prompted by 
reports of broken strands and failed emergency fuel shutoff cables. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent emergency 
fuel shutoff cable failure, which could result in the non-operation of 
the emergency fuel shut-off system in the event of a low pressure shaft 
failure.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 23, 1999.


[[Page 33436]]


ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NE-26-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, PO 
Box 31, Derby DE24 8BJ England; telephone 1332 242424, fax 1332 37645. 
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 99-NE-26-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. 99-NE-26-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) Tay 620-15, Tay 650-15, and Tay 651-54 series 
turbofan engines. The CAA advises that they have received reports of 
broken strands and failed emergency fuel shutoff cables. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in the non-operation of the 
emergency fuel shutoff system in the event of a low pressure shaft 
failure.
    R-R has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. Tay 76-1434, Revision 1, 
dated August 28, 1998, that specifies procedures for visual inspections 
of emergency fuel shutoff cables for broken strands or failed cables. 
The CAA classified this SB as mandatory and issued Airworthiness 
Directive (AD) 003-03-98 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 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 initial and repetitive 
visual inspections of the emergency fuel shutoff cable for broken 
strands or failed cables, and, if necessary, replacement with 
serviceable parts. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the SB described previously.
    There are approximately 900 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 451 engines installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 0.25 work hours to accomplish the 
inspections, 3 to 28 work hours per engine to remove and replace an 
unacceptable emergency fuel shutoff cable, depending on engine aircraft 
installation and position, and that the average labor rate is $60 per 
work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $86 per engine. The 
total cost for inspections is estimated to be $6,750. The total cost 
for replacing parts on the Fokker F70 and Fokker F100 aircraft is 
estimated to be $75,125. The total cost for replacing parts on the No.1 
position engine on Boeing 727 aircraft is estimated to be $14,918. The 
total cost for replacing parts on the No. 2 and No. 3 position engines 
on Boeing 727 aircraft, since engine removal is required for these two 
engine positions, is $197,837. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$294,630.
    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

[[Page 33437]]

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. 99-NE-26-AD.

    Applicability: Rolls-Royce plc (R-R) Tay 620-15, Tay 650-15, and 
Tay 651-54 series turbofan engines, installed on but not limited to 
Fokker F.28 Mark 0070 series, Fokker F.28 Mark 0100 series, and 
Boeing 727 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 (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 emergency fuel shutoff cable failure, which could 
result in the non-operation of the emergency fuel shut-off system in 
the event of a low pressure shaft failure, accomplish the following:
    (a) Perform initial and repetitive visual inspections of the 
emergency fuel shutoff cable for broken strands or failed cables as 
follows:
    (1) Initially inspect the emergency fuel shutoff cable within 
1,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this 
AD.
    (i) If the emergency fuel shutoff cable has no strands broken, 
re-inspect within 1000 hours TIS after the inspection.
    (ii) If the emergency fuel shutoff cable has 1, 2, or 3 strands 
broken, re-inspect within 800 hours TIS after the inspection.
    (iii) If the emergency fuel shutoff cable has 4, 5, or 6 strands 
broken, replace the cable within 100 hours TIS after the inspection.
    (iv) If the emergency fuel shutoff cable has 7 or more strands 
broken, or the cable has failed, replace the cable within 25 hours 
TIS after the inspection.
    (2) Thereafter, perform inspections of the emergency fuel 
shutoff cable and replace the emergency fuel shutoff cable as 
provided in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD.

    Note 2: Information on inspection of the emergency fuel shutoff 
cable and replacement of cables may be found in R-R Service Bulletin 
(SB) No. Tay 76-1434, Revision 1, dated August 28, 1998, and 
Maintenance Manual 76-23-00.

    (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, 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. 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 June 15, 1999.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-15904 Filed 6-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U