[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 18, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77405-77407]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31473]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NE-30-AD; Amendment 39-12981; AD 2002-25-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Limited, Aero Division-
Bristol, S.N.E.C.M.A. Olympus 593 Mk. 610-14-28 Turbojet Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to Rolls-Royce Limited, Aero Division-Bristol, 
S.N.E.C.M.A. (RR) Olympus 593 Mk. 610-14-28 turbojet engines, installed 
in BAe/SNIAS Concorde Type 1 airplanes that have been modified in 
accordance with Airbus Concorde service bulletins No.'s SST 57-078, SST 
57-079, SST 57-080, and SST 57-082. This action requires initial and 
repetitive engine fuel filter inspections and fuel sample analysis. 
This amendment is prompted by a report of fuel tank liner materials 
found in and partially through an engine fuel filter. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to prevent contamination of any or 
all of the four airplane engine fuel control units, causing power loss 
or one or more engines to shutdown.

DATES: Effective January 2, 2003. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of January 2, 2003.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before February 18, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NE-30-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location, by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. 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.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Rolls-Royce Defence (Europe) Technical Publications Department, P.O. 
Box 3, Filton, Bristol BS34 7QE, England, telephone 011 7979 6060; fax 
011 7979 7234. This information may be examined, by appointment, at the 
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: Glorianne Niebuhr, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 
238-7132; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is 
the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom (UK), notified the 
FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on BAe/SNIAS Concorde Type 1 
airplanes with Olympus 593 Mk. 610-14-28 turbojet engines installed. 
The CAA advises that BAe/SNIAS Concorde Type 1 airplanes that have been 
modified in accordance with Airbus Concorde service bulletins No.'s SST 
57-078, SST 57-079, SST 57-080, and SST 57-082, have undergone 
mandatory modification to install Viton and Kevlar liner materials to 
the fuel tanks. This mandatory modification action resulted from an 
airplane crash.

[[Page 77406]]

The modification is necessary, and will minimize a fuel leak from the 
airframe in case of puncture of the airframe skin. After one of the 
airplanes re-entered service, a Kevlar fiber was found in one of the 
engine fuel systems during fuel filter inspection. This fiber came from 
one of the modified fuel tanks, and was positioned partially through 
the fuel filter mesh. The CAA and RR advise that additional kevlar 
fibers could wash away from tank liners into all four engine fuel 
systems on the airplane. That condition, if not corrected, could cause 
contamination of any or all of the four airplane engine fuel control 
units, causing power loss or one or more engines to shutdown.

Manufacturer's Service Information

    RR has issued Olympus 593 Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 
OL.593-73-9093-109, Revision 1, dated November 23, 2001, that specifies 
instructions for initial and repetitive engine fuel filter inspections 
and fuel sample analysis. The CAA classified this service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued AD 004-11-2001 in order to ensure the 
airworthiness of these RR engines in the UK.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    This engine model is manufactured in the UK and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the 
CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action 
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.

FAA's Determination of an Unsafe Condition and Required Actions

    Although none of these affected engines are used on any airplanes 
that are registered in the United States, the possibility exists that 
these engines could be used on airplanes that are registered in the 
United States in the future. Since an unsafe condition has been 
identified that is likely to exist or develop on other RR Olympus 593 
Mk. 610-14-28 turbojet engines of the same type design, this AD is 
being issued to prevent contamination of any or all of the four 
airplane engine fuel control units, causing power loss or one or more 
engines to shutdown. This AD requires initial and repetitive engine 
fuel filter inspections and fuel sample analysis. The actions must be 
done in accordance with the service bulletin described previously.

Immediate Adoption of This AD

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this engine 
model, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary. 
Therefore, a situation exists that allows the immediate adoption of 
this regulation.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD 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 2002-NE-30-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined 
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2002-25-06 Rolls-Royce Limited, Aero Division-Bristol, S.N.E.C.M.A.: 
Amendment 39-12981. Docket No. 2002-NE-30-AD.

Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to Rolls-Royce 
Limited, Aero Division-Bristol, S.N.E.C.M.A. (RR) Olympus 593 Mk. 
610-14-28 turbojet engines, installed in BAe/SNIAS Concorde Type 1 
airplanes that have been modified in accordance with Airbus Concorde 
service bulletins No.'s SST 57-078, SST 57-079, SST 57-080, and SST 
57-082. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, BAe/
SNIAS Concorde Type 1 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

[[Page 77407]]

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 indicated, unless already 
done.
    To prevent contamination of any or all of the four airplane 
engine fuel control units, causing power loss or one or more engines 
to shutdown, do the following after the effective date of this AD:
    (a) Perform initial and repetitive engine fuel filter 
inspections in accordance with 2.A. of Accomplishment Instructions 
of RR Olympus 593 Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) OL.593-73-9093-
109, Revision 1, dated November 23, 2001.
    (b) Perform initial and repetitive fuel sample analysis in 
accordance with 2.B. of Accomplishment Instructions of RR Olympus 
593 MSB OL.593-73-9093-109, Revision 1, dated November 23, 2001.

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, Engine Certification Office (ECO). 
Operators must submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, ECO.

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

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be done.

Documents That Have Been Incorporated By Reference

    (e) The fuel filter inspections and fuel sample analysis must be 
done in accordance with Rolls Royce Olympus 593 MSB OL.593-73-9093-
109, Revision 1, dated November 23, 2001. This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Rolls-Royce Defence (Europe) Technical Publications 
Department, P.O. Box 3, Filton, Bristol BS34 7QE, England, telephone 
011 7979 6060; fax 011 7979 7234. Copies may be inspected at the 
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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in CAA airworthiness 
directive 004-11-2001, dated November 2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 2, 2003.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 6, 2002.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-31473 Filed 12-17-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P