[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 89 (Friday, May 7, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25501-25503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10385]


 ========================================================================
 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. 69, No. 89 / Friday, May 7, 2004 / Proposed 
Rules  

[[Page 25501]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2004-NE-10-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation (Formerly 
Allison Engine Company, Allison Gas Turbine Division, and Detroit 
Diesel Allison) (RRC) 250-B and 250-C Series Turboshaft and Turboprop 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain RRC 250-B and 250-C series turboshaft and turboprop 
engines. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the 
fuel nozzle screen for contamination, and if contamination is found, 
inspection and cleaning of the entire aircraft fuel system before 
further flight. This proposed AD would also require replacement of the 
fuel nozzle with a new design fuel nozzle, at the next fuel nozzle 
overhaul or by June 30, 2006, whichever occurs first. This proposed AD 
results from 10 reports of engine power loss with accompanying collapse 
of the fuel nozzle screen, due to fuel contamination. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent sudden loss of engine power and uncommanded shutdown 
of the engine due to fuel contamination and collapse of the screen in 
the fuel nozzle.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by July 6, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
     By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2004-NE-10-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
     By fax: (781) 238-7055.
     By e-mail: [email protected].
    You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Rolls-Royce Corporation, P.O. Box 420, Indianapolis, IN 46206-
0420; telephone (317) 230-6400; fax (317) 230-4243.
    You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Tallarovic, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des 
Plaines, IL 60018-4696; telephone (847) 294-8180; fax (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2004-NE-10-AD'' in the 
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of 
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with 
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and 
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a 
substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and 
place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received 
by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those 
comments.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service 
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the 
location.

Discussion

    The FAA has received 10 reports of 250-B and 250-C series 
turboshaft and turboprop engines experiencing loss of engine power due 
to fuel contamination and collapse of the fuel nozzle screen. The 
existing screen of the fuel nozzle, part number (P/N) 6890917, 6899001, 
or 6852020, may collapse when clogging occurs. Following a 1997 
accident resulting from a complete engine power loss due to fuel 
contamination, the National Transportation Safety Board issued Safety 
Recommendations A-98-84 and A-98-85. In response, we issued Special 
Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) No. CE-01-10 to remind 
operators of the importance of maintaining a clean aircraft fuel 
system. We also issued an NPRM, Docket No. 99-NE-47-AD, on April 25, 
2000 that would require a one-time inspection of the fuel nozzle screen 
for model 250-C18 and -C20 engines. That NPRM was withdrawn because it 
appeared that the problem would be solved by the increased awareness of 
the importance of a clean fuel system following the issuance of SAIB 
CE-01-10. Shortly after the NPRM was withdrawn another accident 
resulted from a complete engine power loss due to fuel contamination. 
After that initial NPRM was issued, the manufacturer conducted 
extensive research into fuel contamination and introduced a new design 
fuel nozzle. This fuel nozzle design incorporates a new screen design 
that is resistant to collapse when contaminated. This NPRM is being 
issued because collapsed fuel nozzle screens, and the resulting engine 
power loss, due to fuel contamination, remains a problem. The scope of 
this NPRM is expanded from the original NPRM to include all Rolls-Royce 
Corporation model 250 engines because the improvement is equally 
applicable to all of these engines. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in sudden loss of engine power and uncommanded shutdown of 
the engine.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products 
of this same

[[Page 25502]]

type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require:
     A one-time inspection of the fuel nozzle screen for 
contamination, within 150 operating hours after the effective date of 
the proposed AD; and
     Inspection and cleaning of the entire aircraft fuel system 
before further flight, if contamination is found; and
     Replacement of the fuel nozzle with a serviceable (new 
design) fuel nozzle, at the next fuel nozzle overhaul or by June 30, 
2006, whichever occurs first.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the Proposed AD

    On July 10, 2002, we issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 
47998, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This 
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, 
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This 
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this 
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in 
future AD actions.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 15,000 RRC 250-B and 250-C series turboshaft and 
turboprop engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. We 
estimate that 10,000 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD. We also estimate that it would 
take about one work hour per engine to perform the proposed actions, 
and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. In addition, 
operators can either replace the fuel nozzle with a new one at a cost 
of about $2,595 or have the existing nozzle overhauled at a cost of 
about $850. We estimate that about 80% of the fuel nozzles will be 
overhauled and 20% will be replaced with a new nozzle. Therefore, we 
estimate that the required parts would cost, on average, about $1,200 
per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the 
proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $12,650,000.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposal and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2004-NE-10-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Rolls-Royce Corporation (formerly Allison Engine Company, Allison 
Gas Turbine Division, and Detroit Diesel Allison) (RRC): Docket No. 
2004-NE-10-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by July 6, 
2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to RRC 250-B and 250-C series turboshaft and 
turboprop engines in the following Table 1:

Table 1--250-B and 250-C Series Turboshaft and Turboprop Engines 
Affected

-B15A
-B15E
-B15G
-B17
-B17B
-B17C
-B17D
-B17E
-B17F
-B17F/1
-B17F/2
-C18
-C18A
-C18B
-C18C
-C20
-C20B
-C20C
-C20F
-C20J
-C20R
-C20R/1
-C20R/2
-C20R/4
-C20S
-C20W
-C28
-C28B
-C28C
-C30
-C30G
-C30G/2
-C30M
-C30P
-C30R
-C30R/1
-C30R/3
-C30R/3M
-C30S
-C30U
-C40B
-C47B
-C47M
    These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Agusta 
Models A109, A109A, A109AII, and A109C; Bell Helicopter Textron 
Models 47, 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 407, and 430; 
B-N Group Models BN-2T and BN-2T-4R; Enstrom Models TH28, 480; and 
480B; Eurocopter Canada Limited Model BO 105 LS A-3; Eurocopter 
France Models AS355E, AS355F, AS355I, and AS355F2; Eurocopter 
Deutschland Models BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105S, and BO-105LS A-1; 
Hiller Aviation Model FH-1100; McDonnell Douglas 369D, 369E, 369F, 
369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 369FF, and 500N; Schweizer TH269D; and 
SIAI Marchetti s.r.l. Models SF600 and SF600A helicopters and 
airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from 10 reports of engine power loss with 
accompanying collapse of the screen in the fuel nozzle, due to fuel 
contamination. We are issuing this AD to prevent sudden loss of 
engine power and uncommanded shutdown of the engine due to fuel 
contamination and collapse of the screen in the fuel nozzle.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.
    (f) Perform a one-time inspection of the fuel nozzle screen for 
contamination, within 150 operating hours after the effective date 
of this AD.
    (g) Inspect and clean the entire aircraft fuel system before 
further flight if there is any contamination on the screen.
    (h) Remove from service fuel nozzles, part numbers (P/Ns) 
6890917, 6899001, and 6852020, and replace with a serviceable fuel 
nozzle, at the next fuel nozzle overhaul after the effective date of 
this AD, or by June 30, 2006, whichever occurs first.

[[Page 25503]]

Definition

    (i) For the purposes of this AD, a serviceable fuel nozzle is 
defined as a nozzle that has a P/N not specified in, or addressed 
by, this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (j) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, has the 
authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD 
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) None.

Related Information

    (l) Information related to the subject of this AD can be found 
in Rolls-Royce Corporation Alert Commercial Engine Bulletin, with 
the identification numbers of CEB-A-313, CEB-A-1394, CEB-A-73-2075, 
CEB-A-73-3118, CEB-A-73-4056, CEB-A-73-5029, CEB-A-73-6041, TP CEB-
A-183, TP CEB-A-1336, and TP CEB-A-73-2032, dated September 4, 2003.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 29, 2004.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10385 Filed 5-6-04; 8:45 am]
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