[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 208 (Friday, October 26, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54119-54120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-26967]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-16-AD; Amendment 39-12486; AD 2001-22-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International, Inc. LTP 101 
Series Turboprop and LTS101 Series Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts 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 amendment requires a new life 
limitation and removal of rigid tube fuel manifold assemblies and 
replacement with serviceable assemblies. This amendment is prompted by 
reports of cracking and fuel leakage of rigid tube fuel manifolds. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended 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.

DATES: Effective date November 30, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The information in this AD may be examined, by appointment, 
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is 
applicable to certain Honeywell International, Inc. (formerly 
AlliedSignal, Inc. and Textron Lycoming) LTP 101 series turboprop and 
LTS101 series turboshaft engines was published in the Federal Register 
on March 12, 2001 (66 FR 14346). That action proposed to require a new 
life limitation and removal of rigid tube fuel manifold assemblies and 
replacement with serviceable assemblies.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 1,600 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 
required 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 Analysis

    This final 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 final rule.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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 final evaluation has been prepared for 
this action and it 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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 a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

2001-22-07  Honeywell International, Inc.: Amendment 39-12486. 
Docket 99-NE-16-AD.

    Applicability: This 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 54120]]



                              Table 1.--P/N's of Affected Rigid Tube Fuel Manifolds
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4-301-042-02                                                    4-301-042-06      4-301-236-03      4-301-286-02
4-301-042-04                                                    4-301-236-01      4-301-236-04      4-301-376-01
4-301-042-05                                                    4-301-236-02      4-301-286-01
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 must 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 
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.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 30, 2001.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 19, 2001.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-26967 Filed 10-25-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U