[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 48 (Monday, March 12, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14345-14346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5738]


 ========================================================================
 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. 66, No. 48 / Monday, March 12, 2001 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 14345]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-17-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. Models 
LTS101-600A-2 and LTS101-600A-3 Turboshaft Engines; and LTP101-600A-1A 
and LTP101-700A-1A Turboprop Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Honeywell International Inc. 
(formerly AlliedSignal Inc. and Textron Lycoming) Models LTS101-600A-2 
and LTS101-600A-3 turboshaft engines; and LTP101-600A-1A and LTP101-
700A-1A turboprop engines. This proposal would require replacing 
certain fuel controls that have beryllium-copper bellows with improved 
fuel controls that incorporate Inconel 718 stainless steel welded 
bellows. This proposal is prompted by a report of an uncommanded power 
loss on a Textron Lycoming LTS101 engine due to a corrosion damaged 
fuel control bellows. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent the engine from reducing the fuel flow to minimum 
flow resulting in an uncommanded power loss.

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-17-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: 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-17-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-17-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report of an uncommanded engine power loss 
on a Textron Lycoming LTS101 turboshaft engine. The current Type 
Certificate holder has determined that the power loss was due to 
corrosion damage to the beryllium-copper bellows of the fuel control. 
The same beryllium-copper bellows was used in fuel controls on Allison 
Engine Co. 250-B and 250-C turboshaft and turboprop engines. The FAA 
issued AD 98-24-28 that was published in the Federal Register on 
December 3, 1998 (63 FR 66735) to require replacement of those 
beryllium-copper bellows with Inconel 718 stainless steel welded 
bellows. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the engine 
reducing the fuel flow to minimum flow resulting in an uncommanded 
power loss.

Evaluation of the Unsafe Condition

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other LTS101-600A-2 and LTS101-600A-3 turboshaft; 
and LTP101-600A-1A and LTP101-700A-1A turboprop engines of the same 
type design, the proposed AD would require replacement of fuel controls 
with the following part numbers with an improved design fuel control 
that incorporates an Inconel 718 stainless steel welded bellows.

4-301-098-01, 4-301-098-04, 4-301-098-10, 4-301-098-15, 4-301-288-01, 
4-301-288-04, 4-303-023-01, 4-303-023-02, 4-303-023-03, 4-303-023-04, 
4-303-033-01, 4-303-033-02, and 4-303-033-04

Economic Impact

    The FAA estimates that 40 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD and that it would take 
approximately 3 work hours per engine to accomplish the proposed 
actions. The average labor rate is $60 per work hour. There are no 
required parts costs. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,200.

Regulatory Impact

    This proposed rule does not have federalism implications, as 
defined in Executive Order 13132, because it would not have a 
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship

[[Page 14346]]

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 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:

Honeywell International, Inc.: Docket No. 99-NE-17-AD.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Honeywell International, Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal Inc. and 
Textron Lycoming) Models LTS101-600A-2 and LTS101-600A-3 turboshaft 
and LTP101-600A-1A and LTP101-700A-1A turboprop engines with fuel 
controls with the following part numbers (P/N's) installed:

                      Table 1.--Fuel Control P/N's
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Engine model No.                     Fuel Control P/N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. LTS101-600A-2..................  4-301-098-01, 4-301-098-04, 4-301-
                                     098-10, 4-301-098-15.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. LTS101-600A-3..................  4-301-288-01, 4-301-288-04.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. LTP101-600A-1A.................  4-303-023-01, 4-303-023-02, 4-303-
                                     023-03, 4-303-023-04.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. LTP101-700A-1A.................  4-303-033-01, 4-303-033-02, 4-303-
                                     033-04.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

These engines are used on, but not limited to, Aerospatiale AS350 
helicopters and Air Tractor AT-302, Page Thrush, Piaggio P.166-DL3, 
and Riley International R421 airplanes.

    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 (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: Compliance with this AD is required at the next 
replacement of the fuel control or within 12 calendar months after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    To prevent a decrease in fuel flow to minimum flow that could 
result in an uncommanded power loss, do the following:
    (a) Remove any fuel control that has one of the P/N's listed in 
Table 1 of this AD, and replace with a fuel control that does not 
have one of the part numbers listed in Table 1 of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, 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

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance 
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 1, 2001.
David A. Downey,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-5738 Filed 3-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U