[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7646-7648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3516]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-ANE-43; Amendment 39-10325; AD 98-04-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Limited Dart Series
Turboprop Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to Rolls-Royce Limited (R-R) Dart series turboprop
engines, that currently establishes a life limit for propeller low
torque switches. This amendment adds two propeller low torque switch
part numbers and two R-R Dart engine models that were omitted from the
current AD, and establishes a calendar end-date for removal of
propeller low torque switches from service. This amendment is prompted
by the need to add omitted part numbers and engine models to the AD.
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent cracking of
the snap diaphragm in the propeller low torque switch, which could
delay propeller auto-feathering and thereby adversely affect aircraft
controllability.
DATES: Effective March 24, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 24, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Rolls-Royce plc, Attn: Dart Engine Service Manager, East
Kilbride, Glasgow G74 4PY, Scotland. This information may be examined
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region,
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803-5299; or at the Office of the Federal Register,
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7747, fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding Airworthiness
Directive (AD) 90-08-12, Amendment 39-6473 (55 FR 12477, April 4,
1990), which is applicable to Rolls-Royce Limited (R-R) Dart series
turboprop engines, was published in the Federal Register on October 2,
1995 (60 FR 51377). That action proposed to add two propeller low
torque switch part numbers and two R-R Dart engine models that were
omitted from AD 90-08-12. In addition, the proposed AD establishes 30
days after the effective date of the AD as a calendar end-date for
removal of propeller low torque switches.
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
manufacturer has confirmed that since the issuance of the NPRM, all
affected engines have had the low torque switch removed. Therefore,
there are no affected engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry
and further opportunity for comment is unnecessary.
The FAA has made some changes to the applicability paragraph of
this AD to reflect the lack of affected engines installed on aircraft
of U.S. registry and changes from Mk. to Mk. series.
There are approximately 2,880 engines of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that
[[Page 7647]]
450 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry will be affected by
this AD, that it will take approximately 1.5 work hours per engine to
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $3,800 per
engine. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $1,750,500.
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.
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 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
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 removing Amendment 39-6473 (55 FR
12477, April 4, 1990) and by adding a new airworthiness directive,
Amendment 39-10325, to read as follows:
98-04-13 Rolls-Royce Limited: Amendment 39-10325. Docket 94-ANE-43.
Supersedes AD 90-08-12, Amendment 39-6473.
Applicability: Rolls-Royce Limited (R-R) Dart Mk. 506, 10, 511
series, 514 series, 525 series, 526, 527, 528 series, 529 series,
530, 531, 532 series, 535 series, 542 series, 551 series, and 552
series turboprop engines, installed on but not limited to the
following aircraft: Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. G-159, British
Aerospace HS 748, Fokker Aircraft F.27, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
YS-11, General Dynamics (Convair) 580 and 600 series, and Vickers
Armstrongs (Aircraft Limited) Viscount.
Note 1: Rolls-Royce Limited engine models Mk. 515, 520, 533,
534, 536, and 543 were removed in this final rule from the NPRM as
these engine models were not U.S.-validated.
Note 2: Other changes to the final rule's applicability from the
NPRM's applicability are as follows:
Mk. 511 was changed to Mk. 511 series
Mk. 514 was changed to Mk. 514 series
Mk. 525 was changed to Mk. 525 series
Mk. 528 was changed to Mk. 528 series
Mk. 529 was changed to Mk. 529 series
Mk. 532 was changed to Mk. 532 series
Mk. 535 was changed to Mk. 535 series
Mk. 542 was changed to Mk. 542 series
Mk. 551 was changed to Mk. 551 series
Mk. 552 was changed to Mk. 552 series.
Note 3: This airworthiness directive (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
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with
paragraph (f) 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: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent cracking of the snap diaphragm in the propeller low
torque switch, which could delay propeller auto-feathering and
thereby adversely affect aircraft controllability, remove from
service propeller low torque switch part numbers (P/N) 3700892,
3700895, 3701232, 3500355, 3500356, 3500410 through 3500412, L944707
through L944709, L944738 through L944740, L944742 through L944744,
L944769, L944772, and L944774, in accordance with R-R Dart Aero
Engine Service Bulletin (SB) No. Da61-12, Revision 2, dated
September 1978, as follows:
(a) Remove from service propeller low torque switches that have
accumulated 5 or more calendar years time in service (TIS) on the
effective date of this AD, within 30 days after the effective date
of this AD, and replace with a serviceable part.
(b) Remove from service propeller low torque switches that have
accumulated less than 5 calendar years TIS on the effective date of
this AD, within 5 calendar years total TIS, or within 30 days after
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, and replace
with a serviceable part.
(c) Remove from service propeller low torque switches that
cannot have their in-service calendar time established within 30
days after the effective date of this AD, and replace with a
serviceable part.
(d) Thereafter, remove from service new or overhauled propeller
low torque switches at or prior to accumulating 5 calendar years TIS
since initial installation on an engine. This limit includes storage
or on-shelf time accumulated after initial installation on an
engine. Overhaul of the propeller low torque switch zero-times the
part.
(e) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable part is defined as
a new or overhauled propeller low torque switch with less than 5
calendar years TIS since first entry into service.
(f) 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.
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office.
Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative method of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Engine Certification Office.
(g) 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.
(h) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance
with the following R-R SB:
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Document No. Pages Revision Date
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Dart Aero Engine SB:
No. Da61-12............................ 1-4 2........................ September 1978.
5-6 Original................. May 1976.
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[[Page 7648]]
Total pages: 6.
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 plc, Attn: Dart
Engine Service Manager, East Kilbride, Glasgow G74 4PY, Scotland.
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.
(i) This amendment becomes effective on March 24, 1998.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 4, 1998.
James C. Jones,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3516 Filed 2-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
