[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 116 (Friday, June 15, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32591-32593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-15091]


 ========================================================================
 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. 116 / Friday, June 15, 2001 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 32591]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NE-34-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International, Inc., 
(Formerly AlliedSignal, Inc., and Textron Lycoming) T5311A, T5311B, 
T5313B, T5317A, T5317B, T53-L-11, T53-L-11A, T53-L-11B, T53-L-11C, T53-
L-11D, T53-L-11A S/SA, T53-L-13B, T53-L-13B S/SA, T53-L-13B S/SB, and 
T53-L-703 Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to adopt a 
new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Honeywell 
International, Inc., (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc., and Textron 
Lycoming) T5311A, T5311B, T5313B, T5317A, T5317B, and former military 
T53-L-11, T53-L-11A, T53-L-11B, T53-L-11C, T53-L-11D, T53-L-11A S/SA, 
T53-L-13B, T53-L-13B S/SA, T53-L-13B S/SB, and T53-L-703 series 
turboshaft engines. This proposal would require initial and repetitive 
special vibration tests of the engine, and if necessary replacement 
with a serviceable reduction gearbox assembly, or a serviceable engine 
before further flight. This proposal is prompted by reports of 
tachometer drive spur gear failure, resulting in potential engine 
overspeed, loss of power turbine speed (N2) instrument panel 
indication, and hard landings. The actions specified in this AD are 
intended to prevent excessive vibrations produced by the reduction 
gearbox assembly that could cause failure of the tachometer drive spur 
gear.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 14, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NE-34-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. The service information referenced in the proposed 
rule may be obtained from Honeywell International, Inc. (formerly 
AlliedSignal, Inc. and Textron Lycoming), Attn: Data Distribution, M/S 
64-3/2101-201, P.O. Box 29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003; telephone: (602) 
365-2493; fax: (602) 365-5577. 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: 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 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 2000-NE-34-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. 2000-NE-34-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of tachometer drive spur gear failure, 
resulting in potential engine overspeed, loss of N2 instrument panel 
indication, and hard landings. There have been about 22 events on 
military aircraft, and two events reported to date on civilian 
aircraft. This condition, if not corrected, could result in tachometer 
drive spur gear failure, resulting in potential engine overspeed, loss 
of N2 instrument panel indication, and hard landings.

Manufacturer's Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved AlliedSignal, Inc. Service 
Bulletin (SB) No.''s T5311A/B-0100, dated January 20, 2000; T5313B/17-
0100, dated November 19, 1999; T53-L-11-0100, dated January 20, 2000; 
T53-L-13B-0100, Revision 2, dated May 11, 1999; and T53-L-703-0100, 
Revision 2, dated May 11, 1999. These SB's describe procedures for 
performing engine special vibration tests.

FAA's Determination of an Unsafe Condition and Proposed Actions

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Honeywell International, Inc., (formerly 
AlliedSignal, Inc., and Textron Lycoming) T5311A, T5311B, T5313B, 
T5317A, T5317B, and former military T53-L-11, T53-L-11A, T53-L-11B, 
T53-L-11C, T53-L-11D, T53-L-11A S/SA, T53-L-13B, T53-L-13B S/SA, T53-L-
13B S/SB, and T53-L-703 turboshaft engines of this same type design, 
the proposed AD would require initial and

[[Page 32592]]

repetitive special vibration tests of the engine, and if necessary, 
replacement with a serviceable reduction gearbox assembly, or a 
serviceable engine before further flight. The actions would be required 
to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described 
previously.

Economic Impact

    There are about 4,500 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 300 engines installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, and 
that it would take about four work hours per engine to accomplish each 
special vibration test, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, for each special vibration test, the 
total labor cost impact on U.S. operators is estimated to be $240 per 
engine. The FAA estimates that operators, on average, will perform ten 
special vibration tests per year, resulting in a total annual cost on 
U.S. operators of $720,000.

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 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. 2000-NE-34-AD.

Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to Honeywell 
International, Inc., (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc., and Textron 
Lycoming) T5311A, T5311B, T5313B, T5317A, T5317B, and former 
military T53-L-11, T53-L-11A, T53-L-11B, T53-L-11C, T53-L-11D, T53-
L-11A S/SA, T53-L-13B, T53-L-13B S/SA, T53-L-13B S/SB, and T53-L-703 
turboshaft engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited 
to Bell Helicopter Textron 204, 205, and 209 series, and Kaman K-
1200 series helicopters, and the following surplus military 
helicopters that have been certified in accordance with sections 
21.25 or 21.27 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.25 or 
21.27): Bell Helicopter Textron manufactured AH-1, HH-43, TH-1, UH-1 
and SW-204/205 (UH-1) series.

    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 (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

    Compliance with this AD is required as indicated below, unless 
already done.
    To prevent excessive vibrations produced by the reduction 
gearbox assembly that could cause failure of the tachometer drive 
spur gear, do the following:
    Initial and Repetitive Special Vibration Tests.
    (a) Perform an initial special vibration test of the engine in 
accordance with the applicable service bulletin (SB) listed in the 
following table, within 100 flight hours after the effective date of 
this AD.

              AlliedSignal SB's for Special Vibration Tests
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Engine                                SB's
------------------------------------------------------------------------
T5311A and T5311B.........................  T5311A/B-0100, dated January
                                             20, 2000.
T5313B, T5317A, and T5317B................  T5313B/17-0100, dated
                                             November 19, 1999.
T53-L-11, -11A, -11B, -11C, -11D, and -11A  T53-L-11-0100, dated January
 S/SA.                                       20, 2000.
T53-L-13B, -13B S/SA, and -13B S/SB.......  T53-L-13B-0100, Revision 2,
                                             dated May 11,1999.
T53-L-703.................................  T53-L-703-0100, Revision 2,
                                             dated May 11, 1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Perform repetitive special vibration tests of the engine in 
accordance with the applicable SB listed in the table of this AD, as 
follows:
    (1) For engines that have tachometer drive spur gear part number 
(P/N) 1-070-062-04 installed, perform repetitive special vibration 
tests within 500 flight hours since the last special vibration test.
    (2) For engines that have tachometer drive spur gear P/N 1-070-
062-06 installed, perform repetitive special vibration tests within 
1,000 flight hours since the last special vibration test.

Engines That Fail Special Vibration Tests

    (c) For engines that fail a special vibration test performed in 
accordance with paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, do EITHER of the 
following:
    (1) Replace the gearbox assembly with a serviceable reduction 
gearbox assembly, and before further flight perform an initial 
special vibration test as specified in paragraph (a) of this AD. OR
    (2) Replace the engine with a serviceable engine, and before 
further flight perform an initial special vibration test as 
specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 (ACO). 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 ACO.

    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 ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (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 special vibration tests and engine replacement requirements of 
this AD can be accomplished.


[[Page 32593]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 1, 2001.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-15091 Filed 6-14-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P