[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 48 (Monday, March 12, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14346-14348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5737]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-16-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International, Inc. LTP 101 
Series Turboprop and LTS101 Series Turboshaft 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 certain Honeywell International, 
Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc. and Textron Lycoming) LTP 101 series 
turboprop and LTS101 series turboshaft engines. This proposal would 
require a new life limitation and removal of rigid tube fuel manifold 
assemblies and replacement with serviceable assemblies. This proposal 
is prompted by reports of cracking and fuel leakage of rigid tube fuel 
manifolds. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent engine fuel leakage due to low-cycle fatigue (LCF) cracking of 
the rigid

[[Page 14347]]

tube fuel manifold, which could result in an in-flight fire.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 11, 2001.

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-16-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 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Baitoo, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone 
(562) 627-5245; fax (562) 627-5210.

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 action 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 99-NE-16-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRM's

    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-16-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Events Leading to This Proposed AD

    The FAA has received reports of approximately 48 instances of fuel 
leakage from rigid tube fuel manifolds since 1990. None of the reported 
instances involved fires. The engine manufacturer has determined that 
the leaks were caused by cracking of the rigid tubes in fuel manifolds 
due to low-cycle fatigue (LCF). This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in engine fuel leakage due to LCF cracking of the rigid tube 
fuel manifold, which could result in an in-flight fire.

FAA's Determination and Explanation of Proposed Rule

    The FAA has examined all available data, including relevant service 
information, and determined that an unsafe condition exists or is 
likely to develop on other products of this same type design.
    Accordingly, this proposed AD would require the removal of certain 
rigid tube fuel manifolds with part numbers (P/N's) specified in this 
proposed rule, before exceeding the new cyclic life limits.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Honeywell International, Inc. LPT 101 series 
turboprop and LTS101 series turboshaft engines of the same type design 
with the affected fuel manifolds installed, the proposed AD would 
establish life limits for the rigid tube fuel manifolds.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 1600 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 670 engines installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 2 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 $6,000 per engine. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $4,100,400.

Regulatory Impact

    This proposed rule does not have federalism implications, as 
defined in Executive Order 13132, because it does 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 proposed rule.
    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 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 has been prepared for this action and 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.

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:

Honeywell International, Inc.: Docket No. 99-NE-16-AD.
    Applicability: This proposed airworthiness directive (AD) is 
applicable to Honeywell International, Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal 
Inc. and Textron Lycoming) LTP 101 series turboprop and LTS101 
series turboshaft engines with the following part numbers (P/N's) 
rigid tube fuel manifolds installed:

[[Page 14348]]



          Table 1.--P/N's of Affected Rigid Tube Fuel Manifolds
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4-301-042-02                         4-301-236-03
4-301-042-04                         4-301-236-04
4-301-042-05                         4-301-286-01
4-301-042-06                         4-301-286-02
4-301-236-01                         4-301-376-01
4-301-236-02
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These engines are installed on, but not limited to Aerospatiale 
AS350, Eurocopter MBB-BK117 and HH-65A, Bell 222, Page Thrush, Air 
Tractor AT-302, Piaggio P. 166-DL3, Riley International R421, and 
Pacific Aero 08-600 aircraft.

    Note 1: This 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: Compliance with this AD is required as specified 
below, unless already done. To prevent engine fuel leakage due to 
low-cycle fatigue (LCF) cracking of the rigid tube fuel manifold, 
which could result in an in-flight fire, do the following:
    (a) Replace fuel manifolds that have accumulated the following 
gas generator rotor (Ng) cycles-since-new (CSN) on the effective 
date of this AD or Ng cycles-in-service (CIS) on the effective date 
of this AD since all tubes were replaced:

                                    Table 2.--Fuel Tube Replacement Schedule
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     Ng CSN, or Ng CIS Since Total Tube Replacement                        Replacement schedule
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(1) 2,750 or less......................................  Before accumulating 3,000 total Ng cycles.
(2) More than 2,750....................................  Within 250 CIS after the effective date of this AD.
(3) Unknown............................................  (i) Within 2,000 CIS after the effective date of this
                                                          AD, or
                                                         (ii) At the next engine removal, or
                                                         (iii) At the removal of the fuel manifold for cause,
                                                          whichever is first.
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New Life Limitation

    (b) Do not install fuel manifolds with P/N's that are listed in 
Table 1 of this AD after the effective date of this AD if they meet 
ANY of the following conditions:
    (1) The manifold has accumulated 3,000 or more total Ng cycles; 
OR
    (2) The manifold has had partial tube replacements; OR
    (3) The manifold has an unknown number of Ng cycles.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (LAACO). Operators shall submit their request through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, LAACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the LAACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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 March 2, 2001.
David A. Downey,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-5737 Filed 3-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U