[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 24, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48365-48366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-18482]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NE-01-AD; Amendment 39-12830; AD 2002-15-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems 
(Formerly Sundstrand Power Systems, Turbomach, and Solar) T-62T Series 
Auxiliary Power Units

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), that 
is applicable to Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems (formerly Sundstrand 
Power Systems, Turbomach, and Solar) T-62T series auxiliary power units 
(APU's) with compressor wheel part number (P/N) 100636-1 installed. 
This amendment requires the replacement of compressor wheels P/N 
100636-1. This amendment is prompted by a manufacturer's stress 
analysis that indicates stress levels high enough to initiate and drive 
crack growth in these compressor wheels. The actions specified by this 
AD are intended to mandate the replacement of the affected compressor 
wheels, which if not replaced, could result in uncontained compressor 
wheel failure and damage to the airplane.

DATES: Effective August 28, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems, Technical Publications 
Department, P.O. Box 7002, Rockford, IL 61125-7002; telephone (815) 
623-5983; fax (815) 966-8525. This information 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Pesuit, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone 
(562) 627-5251, 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 Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems (formerly Sundstrand 
Power Systems, Turbomach, and Solar) T-62T series APU's with compressor 
wheel P/N 100636-1 was published in the Federal Register on March 28, 
2002 (67 FR 14889). That action proposed to mandate the replacement of 
the affected compressor wheels, which if not replaced, could result in 
uncontained compressor wheel failure and damage to the airplane.

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 492 Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems 
(formerly Sundstrand Power systems, Turbomach, and Solar) models T-62T-
2C, T-62T-25, T-62T-29, and T-62T-39 APU's of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 337 APU's installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 40 work hours per APU to perform the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $16,799 per engine. Based on these 
figures, the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$ 6,470,063.

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) 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:

2002-15-02  Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems (formerly Sundstrand 
Power Systems, Turbomach, and Solar): Amendment 39-12830. Docket No. 
2002-NE-01-AD.

Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to Hamilton 
Sundstrand Power Systems (formerly Sundstrand Power Systems, 
Turbomach, and Solar) models T-62T-2C, T-62T-25, T-62T-29, and T-
62T-39 auxiliary power units (APU's) that have compressor wheel part 
number (P/N) 100636-1 installed. These APU's are installed on, but 
not limited to, Fairchild

[[Page 48366]]

FH-227, Dassault Falcon 20, Lockheed 1329 series (Jetstar), British 
Aerospace Jetstream 3101, Raytheon Aircraft HS125-600, -700, -800, 
and Sabreliner Corporation 60 and 80 airplanes, and Boeing Defense & 
Space Group 234 Series helicopters.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each APU 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 APU's 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 (e) 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, unless already 
done.
    To replace affected compressor wheels
    P/N 100636-1, which if not replaced, could result in uncontained 
compressor wheel failure and damage to the airplane, do the 
following:

Cast Steel Compressor Wheel Replacement

    (a) For compressor wheels, P/N 100636-1, made of cast steel, 
identifiable by a four-digit casting lot vendor identification 
number used as a prefix to the serial number, replace compressor 
wheels with compressor wheel P/N 4503164, 4504174, or M4504174 as 
follows:
    (1) Replace cast steel compressor wheels with 2,350 or greater 
cycles-since-new (CSN) on the effective date of this AD within 250 
cycles-in-service (CIS) after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Replace cast steel compressor wheels with less than 2,350 
CSN on the effective date of this AD before accumulating 2,600 CSN.

Wrought Steel Compressor Wheel Replacement

    (b) For compressor wheels, P/N 100636-1 made of wrought steel, 
identifiable by a serial number beginning with the letter W, replace 
compressor wheels with compressor wheel P/N 4503164, 4504174, or 
M4504174 as follows:
    (1) Replace wrought steel compressor wheels with 3,600 or 
greater CSN on the effective date of this AD within 500 CIS after 
the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Replace wrought steel compressor wheels with less than 3,600 
CSN on the effective date of this AD before accumulating 4,100 CSN.
    (c) Information on procedures for replacing compressor wheel P/N 
100636-1 may be found in Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems service 
bulletin No. SB-T-62T-49-148, Revision 1, dated December 20, 2001.

Reduced Life Limits

    (d) This AD establishes new cyclic life limits for compressor 
wheels P/N 100636-1, of 2,600 CSN for cast steel compressor wheels 
and 4,100 CSN for wrought steel compressor wheels. Except as 
provided in paragraph (e) of this AD, no alternate life limits for 
these parts may be approved.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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 must submit their request 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

    (f) 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 done.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on August 28, 2002.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 15, 2002.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-18482 Filed 7-23-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P