[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8885-8886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4406]
[[Page 8885]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-ANE-51-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. TFE731 Series
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to AlliedSignal Inc. TFE731
series turbofan engines, that currently requires the installation of a
clamp assembly to support the rigid fuel tube. This action would
require installation of an improved flexible (flex) fuel tube. This
proposal is prompted by reports of fuel leaks from a cracked fuel tube
in engines that have already installed a clamp assembly in accordance
with the current AD. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to prevent cracking of the fuel tube and the subsequent
leakage of fuel on or around electrical components, which can cause an
engine fire.
DATES: Comments must be received by April 24, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-ANE-51-AD, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent
via the Internet using the following address: ``engineprop@faa.dot.gov''. Comments sent via the Internet must contain
the docket number in the subject line. Comments may be inspected at
this location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from AlliedSignal Aerospace, 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. This information may be examined at the
FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; telephone (562)
627-5246, fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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 above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal 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 97-ANE-51-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-ANE-51-AD, 12 New England Executive
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
Discussion
On June 3, 1993, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued
airworthiness directive AD 93-10-10, Amendment 39-8589 (58 FR 32835,
June 14, 1993), applicable to Allied-Signal Aerospace Company, Garrett
Engine Division (now AlliedSignal Inc.) TFE731 series turbofan engines,
to require the installation of a clamp assembly to support the fuel
line. Installation of the clamp assembly was to minimize excessive
vibration and possible cracking of the fuel line due to starter
generator bearing failure. That action was prompted by reports of fuel
lines cracking and failing, resulting in inflight engine shutdowns and
fuel spillage on and around electrical components in the engine
accessory gearbox area. That condition, if not corrected, could result
in a cracked fuel tube and the subsequent leakage of fuel on and around
electrical components, which can cause an engine fire.
Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has received an additional
11 reports of continued cracking of the rigid fuel tube in engines that
have already installed a clamp assembly in accordance with the current
AD. Eighteen of 19 tube failures which occurred before and after the
implementation of AD 93-10-10 resulted from starter generator bearing
failures. This AD does not affect the AlliedSignal engine Model TFE731-
2-2B and engine series TFE731-3A and -3AR installed on Learjet Models
35, 36, and 55 because starter generators are not used on these
aircraft. In addition, for this application, there have been no
reported fuel line failures.
The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of
AlliedSignal Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. TFE731-A73-3128,
dated February 26, 1997, and AlliedSignal Inc. ASB No. TFE731-A73-3132,
dated April 9, 1997, that describe procedures for installing an
improved flex fuel tube.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would supersede AD 93-10-10 and require the installation of
an improved flex fuel tube.
There are approximately 3,325 engines of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 2,319 engines installed on
aircraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that
it would take approximately 2.0 work hours per engine to accomplish the
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Required parts would cost approximately $300 per engine. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $973,980.
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1)
[[Page 8886]]
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) if promulgated,
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 copy of the draft regulatory evaluation
prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it
may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided
under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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 39-8589 (58 FR
32835, June 14, 1993) and by adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
AlliedSignal Inc.: Docket No. 97-ANE-51-AD. Supersedes AD 93-10-10,
Amendment 39-8589.
Applicability: AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Allied-Signal
Aerospace Company, Garrett Engine Division and Garrett Turbine
Engine Co.) TFE731-2, -3, and -4 series turbofan engines with fuel
tubes, part numbers (P/Ns) 3071051-1, 3073729-1, or 3072886-1,
installed. These engines are installed on but not limited to the
following aircraft: Avions Marcel Dassault Falcon 10, 50, and 100
series; Cessna Model 650, Citation III, VI, and VII; Learjet 31
(M31) 35, 36 and 55 series, Raytheon British Aerospace HS-125
series; and Sabreliner NA-265-65.
Note 1: 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 (b) 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 cracked fuel tubes and the subsequent leakage of fuel on
and around electrical components, which can cause an engine fire,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 160 hours time in service (TIS) after the effective
date of this AD, or prior to December 20, 1999, whichever occurs
first, install an improved flexible fuel tube, as follows:
(1) For engines installed on Cessna aircraft, install in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of AlliedSignal Inc.
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. TFE731-A73-3132, dated April 9,
1997.
(2) For engines installed on all other aircraft except for the
Learjet 35, 36 and 55 series, install in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of AlliedSignal Inc. ASB No. TFE731-A73-
3128, dated February 26, 1997.
(b) 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. Operators shall submit their requests 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.
(c) 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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 11, 1998.
James C. Jones,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4406 Filed 2-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
