[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 250 (Friday, December 27, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68141-68143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32181]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-ANE-27; Amendment 39-9855; AD 96-25-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Sundstrand T-62T-40C Series Auxiliary
Power Units
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to Sundstrand T-62T-40C series auxiliary power units
(APUs). This action requires removal from service of certain compressor
wheels in accordance with a drawdown schedule, and replacement with
serviceable parts, and establishes a new cyclic life limit for the
existing compressor wheels. This amendment is prompted by reports of
compressor wheel ruptures. The actions specified in this AD are
intended to prevent compressor wheel rupture, which could result in an
uncontained APU failure and damage to the aircraft.
DATES: Effective January 13, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 13, 1997.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before February 25, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-ANE-27, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Sundstrand Aerospace, 4400 Ruffin Rd., P.O. Box 85757, San Diego, CA
92186-5757; telephone (619) 627-6303, fax (619) 627-6473. This
information may be examined at the FAA, New England Region, Office of
the Assistant Chief 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
(310) 627-5245; fax (310) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
has received three reports of compressor wheels, installed on
Sundstrand T-62T-40C series auxiliary power units (APUs), that ruptured
prior to the published cyclic life limit. Of the three ruptures, two
were uncontained. The investigation revealed that the compressor wheels
ruptured due to low cycle fatigue. This condition, if not corrected,
could result in compressor wheel rupture, which could result in an
uncontained APU failure and damage to the aircraft.
The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of
Sundstrand Aerospace Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB-T-62T-49-120,
Revision 2, dated November 5, 1996, Revision 1, dated September 9,
1996, and Original, dated July 22, 1996, that describe procedures for
removal from service of certain compressor wheels in accordance with a
drawdown schedule, and replacement with new design serviceable parts,
and establishes a new cyclic life limit for existing compressor wheels.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other APUs of the same type design, this AD is
being issued to prevent compressor wheel rupture. This AD requires
removal from service of certain compressor wheels in accordance with a
drawdown schedule, and replacement with serviceable parts, and
establishes a new cyclic life limit for existing compressor wheels. The
actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the SB
described previously.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
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
[[Page 68142]]
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 notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 96-ANE-27.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-25-12 Sundstrand Aerospace: Amendment 39-9855. Docket 96-ANE-27.
Applicability: Sundstrand Aerospace Models T-62T-40C series
auxiliary power units (APUs), with compressor wheel, Part Numbers
(P/Ns) 162690-1, 165111-1, and 167200-1. These APUs are installed on
but not limited to Aerospatiale Super Puma, Boeing 707 series,
British Aerospace HS 748 series, Cessna 650 series, Convair 650 and
880 series, Dassault Aviation Falcon 20, 50 and 200 series, de
Havilland DHC-7 and DHC-8 series, Embraer 120 series, Fokker F .27
series, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 159, 1159, and G-III
series, Hawker 700 series, Lockheed Jetstar 731 series, Raytheon
Corporate Jets, Inc. BAe 125 series, Sabreliner Corporation NA-265
series aircraft.
Note 1: This airworthiness directive (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 APUs 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 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: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent compressor wheel rupture, which could result in an
uncontained APU failure and damage to the aircraft, accomplish the
following:
(a) Remove from service compressor wheels in accordance with the
procedures described in the Accomplishment Instructions of
Sundstrand Aerospace Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB-T-62T-49-120,
Revision 2, dated November 5, 1996, Revision 1, dated September 9,
1996, or Original, dated July 22, 1996, and the drawdown schedule
described in Table 2 of Revision 2 only, dated November 5, 1996, and
replace with serviceable parts.
(b) This AD establishes a new life limit of 6,000 cycles for
existing uninstalled compressor wheels, identified as Sundstrand P/
Ns 162690-1, 165111-1, and 167200-1.
(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. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.
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 Aircraft Certification
Office.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 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.
(e) Thereafter, except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of
this AD, no alternative replacement time may be approved for
compressor wheels, identified as Sundstrand P/Ns 162690-1, 165111-1,
and 167200-1.
(f) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance
with the following Sundstrand Aerospace SBs:
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Document No. Revision Pages Date
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SB-T-62-T-49-120.................. 2 1-9 Nov. 5, 1996
Total pages: 9................
SB-T-62-T-49-120.................. 1 1-9 Sept. 9, 1996
Total pages: 9................
SB-T-62-T-49-120.................. Original 1-9 July 22, 1996
Total pages: 9................
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[[Page 68143]]
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 Sundstrand Aerospace, 4400
Ruffin Rd., P.O. Box 85757, San Diego, CA 92186-5757; telephone
(619) 627-6303, fax (619) 627-6473. Copies may be inspected at the
FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 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.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on January 13, 1997.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 4, 1996.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-32181 Filed 12-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
