[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 48 (Monday, March 14, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12421-12423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4404]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-18038; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-01-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc., (Formerly 
AlliedSignal, Inc., Formerly Textron Lycoming) T5309, T5311, T5313B, 
T5317A, T5317A-1, and T5317B Series, and T53-L-9, T53-L-11, T53-L-13B, 
T53-L-13BA, T53-L-13B S/SA, T53-L-13B S/SB, T53-L-13B/D, and T53-L-703 
Series Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of the comment 
period.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is reopening the comment period of a proposed 
airworthiness directive (AD) for Honeywell International Inc., 
(formerly AlliedSignal, Inc., formerly Textron Lycoming) T5309, T5311, 
T5313B, T5317A, T5317A-1, and T5317B series turboshaft engines, 
installed on, but not limited to, Bell 205 and Kaman K-1200 series 
helicopters, and T53-L-9, T53-L-11, T53-L-13B, T53-L-13BA, T53-L-13B S/
SA, T53-L-13B S/SB, T53-L-13B/D, and T53-L-703 series turboshaft 
engines, installed on, but not limited to, Bell AH-1 and UH-1 
helicopters, certified under Sec.  21.25 or 21.27 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (14 CFR 21.25 or 14 CFR 21.27). The proposed AD 
would require operators to remove from service affected compressor, gas 
producer, and power turbine rotating components at reduced life limits, 
and would require use of replacement drawdown schedules for components 
on certain engine models that exceed the new limits. Since issuing the 
NPRM, we have determined that the comment period for NPRM, Docket No. 
FAA-2004-18038 (69 FR 33599, June 16, 2004) should be reopened and the 
public should have additional time to comment.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by March 31, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-001.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Honeywell International Inc., 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.
    You may examine the comments on this proposed AD in the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

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

    We invite you to send us any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments

[[Page 12422]]

regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-18038; Directorate Identifier 
2004-NE-01-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. We specifically 
invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and 
energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments 
received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of the 
DMS Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposal, any comments 
received and, any final disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on 
the plaza level of the Department of Transportation Nassif Building at 
the street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in 
the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    We published a proposal to amend part 39 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to 
Honeywell International Inc. T5309, T5311, T5313B, T5317A, T5317A-1, 
and T5317B Series, and T53-L-9, T53-L-11, T53-L-13B, T53-L-13BA, T53-L-
13B S/SA, T53-L-13B S/SB, T53-L-13B/D, and T53-L-703 series turboshaft 
engines in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) on June 16, 2004 (69 FR 33599). The NPRM proposed to require 
operators to remove from service affected compressor, gas producer, and 
power turbine rotating components at reduced life limits, and would 
require use of replacement drawdown schedules for components on certain 
engine models that exceed the new limits. The NPRM resulted from 
continuous analysis of field-returned hardware indicating smaller 
service life margins than originally expected.

Reason for This Action

    We held a public meeting on February 8, 2005, at which we received 
additional data from operators of the affected engines. We determined 
that we should reopen the comment period to allow an additional 
opportunity for operators and other interested persons who were not 
able to attend the public meeting to submit comments. We are 
particularly interested in receiving comments from operators of the 
affected engines as to what life limits they are using for the 
components identified in the proposed AD, what cycle counting methods 
they employ, what historical lifing records did they receive when they 
acquired the engine, and what mission profiles are they flying.
    We will address all comments in any final rule or subsequent action 
taken by us on this subject. We are republishing the actual AD portion 
of the NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2004-18038, for the convenience of the 
owners and operators of the affected engines.

Authority for this Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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 at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    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:

Honeywell International Inc., (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc., formerly 
Textron Lycoming): Docket No. FAA-2004-18038; Directorate Identifier 
2004-NE-01-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by March 31, 
2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Honeywell International Inc., (formerly 
AlliedSignal, Inc., formerly Textron Lycoming) T5309, T5311, T5313B, 
T5317A, T5317A-1, and T5317B series turboshaft engines, installed 
on, but not limited to, Bell 205 and Kaman K-1200 series 
helicopters, and T53-L-9, T53-L-11, T53-L-13B, T53-L-13BA, T53-L-13B 
S/SA, T53-L-13B S/SB, T53-L-13B/D, and T53-L-703 series turboshaft 
engines, installed on, but not limited to, Bell AH-1 and UH-1 
helicopters, certified under Sec.  21.25 or 21.27 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (14 CFR 21.25 or 14 CFR 21.27).

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from continuous analysis of field-returned 
hardware

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indicating smaller service life margins than originally expected. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent failure of compressor, gas producer, 
and power turbine rotating components, which could result in an 
uncontained failure of the engine and damage to the helicopter.

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.

T5309, T5311, T53-L-9, and T53-L-11 Series Turboshaft Engines

    (f) For T5309, T5311, T53-L-9, and T53-L-11 series turboshaft 
engines, within 100 operating hours after the effective date of this 
AD, compute the total operating hours and cycles and replace 
rotating components before they exceed the service life limits. Use 
2.a. through 2.f. and Component Service Life Limits Table 1 of 
Accomplishment Instructions of Lycoming Service Bulletin (SB) No. 
0002, Revision 2, dated March 6, 1989.

T5313B, T5317A, T5317A-1, and T5317B Turboshaft Engines

    (g) For T5313B, T5317A, T5317A-1, and T5317B turboshaft engines, 
within 100 operating hours after the effective date of this AD, 
compute the total operating hours and cycles and replace the 
rotating components before they exceed the service life limits. Use 
2.A. through 2.K. and Component Service Life Limits Table 1 of 
Accomplishment Instructions of Honeywell International Inc., SB No. 
T5313B/17-0020, Revision 7, dated November 21, 2002.
    (h) For T513B, T5317A, T5317A-1, and T5317B turboshaft engines 
that have one or more rotating components that exceed the limits 
specified in Component Service Life Limits Table 1 of Honeywell 
International Inc. SB No. T5313B/17-0020, Revision 7, dated November 
21, 2002, replace the components using the applicable drawdown 
schedule in Table 1 of Honeywell International Inc. SB No. T5313B-
0125, dated March 15, 2001 or Honey well International Inc. SB No. 
T5317-0125, dated March 15, 2001.
    T53-L-13B, T53-L-13BA, T53-L-13B S/SA, and T53-L-13B S/SB 
Turboshaft Engines
    (i) For T53-L-13B, T53-L-13BA, T53-L-13B S/SA, and T53-L-13B S/
SB turboshaft engines, within 100 operating hours after the 
effective date of this AD, compute the total operating hours and 
cycles and replace the rotating components before they exceed the 
service life limits. Use 2.A. through 2.J. and Component Service 
Life Limits Table 1 of Accomplishment Instructions of Honeywell 
International Inc. SB No. T53-L-13B-0020, Revision 3, dated October 
25, 2001.
    (j) For T53-L-13B, T53-L-13BA, T53-L-13B S/SA, and T53-L-13B S/
SB turboshaft engines that have one or more rotating components that 
exceed the limits in Component Service Life Limits Table 1 of 
Honeywell SB No. T53-L-13B-0020, Revision 3, dated October 25, 2001, 
replace the components using the applicable drawdown schedule in 
Table 1 of Honeywell International Inc. SB No. T53-L-13B-0125, dated 
April 5, 2001.

T53-L-13B/D Turboshaft Engines

    (k) For T53-L-13B/D turboshaft engines, within 100 operating 
hours after the effective date of this AD, compute the total 
operating hours and cycles and replace the rotating components 
before they exceed the service life limits. Use 2.A. through 2.J. 
and Component Service Life Limits Table 1 of Accomplishment 
Instructions of Honeywell International Inc. SB No. T53-L-13B/D-
0020, Revision 2, dated November 25, 2002.
    (l) For T53-L-13B/D turboshaft engines that have one or more 
rotating components that exceed the limits in Component Service Life 
Limits Table 1 of Honeywell International Inc. SB No. T53-L-13B/D-
0020, Revision 2, dated November 25, 2002, replace the components 
using the applicable drawdown schedule in Table 1 of Honeywell 
International Inc. SB No. T53-L-13B/D-0125, dated April 5, 2001.

T53-L-703 Turboshaft Engines

    (m) For T53-L-703 turboshaft engines, within 100 operating hours 
after the effective date of this AD, compute the total operating 
hours and cycles and replace the rotating components before they 
exceed the service life limits. Use 2.A. through 2.K. and Component 
Service Life Limits Table 1 of Accomplishment Instructions of 
Honeywell International Inc. SB No. T53-L-703-0020, Revision 2, 
dated November 25, 2002.
    (n) For T53-L-703 turboshaft engines that have one or more 
rotating components that have exceeded the limits in Component 
Service Life Limits Table 1 of Honeywell International Inc. SB No. 
T53-L-703-0020, Revision 2, dated November 25, 2002, replace the 
components using the applicable drawdown schedule in Table 1 of 
Honeywell International Inc. SB No. T53-L-703-0125, dated April 5, 
2001.

Computing Compliance Intervals

    (o) For the purposes of this AD, use the effective date of this 
AD for computing compliance intervals whenever the SBs refer to the 
release date of the SB.

Prohibition of Removed Rotating Components

    (p) Do not reinstall any rotating component that is replaced as 
specified in paragraphs (f) through (n) of this AD, into any engine.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (q) The Manager, Los Angeles 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

    (r) None.

Related Information

    (s) None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 2, 2005.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-4404 Filed 3-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P