[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 25, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24135-24136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10291]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 80 / Tuesday, April 25, 2000 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 24135]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-47-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Allison Engine Company 250-C18 and -C20 
Series Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to Allison Engine Company 250-C18 and -C20 series 
turboshaft engines. This proposal would require a one-time visual 
inspection of the fuel nozzle screen for contamination. If 
contamination is found, this proposal would require, prior to further 
flight, replacement of the fuel nozzle screen with a serviceable 
screen, visual inspection of the entire fuel system for contamination, 
and repair, if necessary. In addition, this proposal would require 
reporting the results of the one-time inspection to the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA) to determine if repetitive inspections 
should be required by future rulemaking. This proposal is prompted by a 
report of fuel system contamination that caused blockage of the fuel 
nozzle screen. This blockage of the fuel nozzle screen caused an in-
flight engine shutdown, autorotation, and forced landing. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent an in-flight 
engine shutdown due to blockage of the fuel nozzle screen, which can 
result in autorotation and forced landing.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 26, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 99-NE-47-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent via the Internet 
using the following address: ``[email protected]''. Comments sent 
via the Internet must contain the docket number in the subject line. 
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: John Tallarovic, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
2300 E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (847) 294-8180, 
fax (847) 294-7834.

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 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-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 Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NE-47-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received a report of 
a McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems 369D helicopter with an Allison 
Engine Company Model 250-C20B turboshaft engine that lost power at 
approximately 150 feet and autorotated to a forced landing. The 
subsequent investigation revealed contamination at the fuel pump 
filter, fuel control unit screen, and the fuel nozzle screen. Three 
additional loss of power events dating back to 1994 have been 
associated with some level of fuel system contamination. In each case, 
the fuel nozzle screen was contaminated. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in an in-flight engine shutdown due to blockage 
of the fuel nozzle screen, which can result in autorotation and forced 
landing.

Proposed Actions

    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 a one-time visual inspection of the fuel 
nozzle screen for contamination at the next scheduled 300-hour 
inspection or after 300 hours time-in-service from the effective date 
of the AD, whichever occurs first. If contamination is found, this 
proposal would require, prior to further flight, replacement of the 
fuel nozzle screen with a serviceable screen, visual inspection of the 
entire fuel system for contamination, and repair, if necessary. These 
proposed actions have been coordinated with the Rotorcraft Directorate 
of the FAA. In addition, this proposal would require reporting the 
results of the one-time inspection to the FAA to determine if 
repetitive inspections may be required by future rulemaking. The 
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
service information described previously.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 14,000 engines of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 6,000 engines installed on 
rotorcraft of US registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 1 work hour per engine

[[Page 24136]]

to accomplish the visual inspection of the fuel nozzle screen, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $150 per engine. If the fuel nozzle screen is 
contaminated, it must be replaced and the entire fuel system must be 
inspected. The FAA estimates these actions to take 8 work hours, with a 
parts cost of $2,600 per engine. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on US operators is estimated to be 
$1,814,400.

Regulatory Impact

    This proposal does not have federalism implications, as defined in 
Executive Order No. 13132, because it would not have a substantial 
direct effect 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication 
of this proposal.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order No. 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:

Allison Engine Company: Docket No. 99-NE-47-AD.

    Applicability: Allison Engine Company 250-C18 series and 250-C20 
series turboshaft engines, installed on, but not limited to the 
following rotorcraft: AGUSTA Models A109, A109A, A109AII, A109C; 
Bell Helicopter Textron Models 47, 206, 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 
206L-4; Enstrom Helicopter Models TH-28, 480; Eurocopter Canada 
Limited Model BO 105 LS A-3; Eurocopter France Models AS355E, 
AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2; Eurocopter Deutschland Models BO-105A, BO-
105C, BO-105S, BO-105LS A-1; Hiller Aviation Model FH-1100; 
McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company Models 369D, 369E, 369F, 369H, 
369HM, 369HS, 369HE, 369FF, 500N; Rogerson Hiller Corp. Model UH-
12E; Schweizer Aircraft Corporation Model 269D.

    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 (f) 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 in-flight engine shutdown due to blockage of the fuel 
nozzle screen, which can result in autorotation and forced landing, 
accomplish the following:

One-Time Inspection

    (a) At the next scheduled 300-hour inspection, or 300 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first, visually inspect the fuel nozzle screen for 
contamination.

Fuel Nozzle Screen Replacement

    (b) If the fuel nozzle screen is contaminated, prior to further 
flight replace the fuel nozzle screen with a serviceable screen.

Fuel System Inspection and Repair

    (c) If the fuel nozzle screen is contaminated, prior to further 
flight visually inspect and clean the following engine components:
    (1) Fuel pump filter.
    (2) Gas Producer fuel control inlet filter.
    (3) Fuel control unit.
    (4) Governor Filter.
    (5) High pressure fuel filter, if applicable.
    (d) If the fuel nozzle screen is contaminated, prior to further 
flight visually inspect and clean the aircraft fuel system.

Reporting Requirement

    (e) Within 5 calendar days of the inspection performed in 
accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD, report the results of the 
inspection to John Tallarovic, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago Aircraft 
Certification Office, at 2300 E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; 
telephone 847-294-8180, fax 847-294-7834, Internet 
[email protected]. Reporting requirements have been approved 
by the Office of Management and Budget and assigned OMB Control 
Number 2120-0056.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (f) 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, Chicago Aircraft 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, Chicago 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 Chicago Aircraft Certification 
Office.

Ferry Flights

    (g) 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 rotorcraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 18, 2000.
Ronald L. Vavruska,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-10291 Filed 4-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P