[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 26, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13081-13083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7135]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-ANE-09; Amendment 39-9548; AD 96-06-11]
Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. TPE331 Series
Turboprop Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Garrett Engine
Division) TPE331 series turboprop engines, that establishes cyclic
retirement lives for certain compressor components. This amendment is
prompted by manufacturer's engine testing and analysis that indicate
that if these compressor components continue in service without an
established retirement life, accumulative cyclic effects may result in
a fatigue failure. The actions specified by this AD are intended to
prevent fatigue failure of engine compressor components and an inflight
engine shutdown.
DATES: Effective May 28, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 28, 1996.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from AlliedSignal Aerospace, Data Distribution, M/S 64-03/
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
Federal Aviation Administration (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: Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone
(310) 627-5246; fax (310) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly
Garrett Engine Division) Models TPE331-14A, -14B, -14F, and -15AW
turboprop engines was published in the Federal Register on June 19,
1995 (60 FR 31932). That action proposed to establish cyclic retirement
lives for main shouldered shafts (tieshafts) and forward coupling
shafts (stub shafts) in accordance with the following AlliedSignal
Engines service documents: Alert Service Bulletins (ASB's): No. TPE331-
A72-7128, dated June 10, 1994, No. TPE331-A72-7129, dated June 10,
1994, and No. TPE331-A72-7522, dated February 17, 1995, that describe
main shouldered shaft (tieshaft) cyclic life limits; and Service
Bulletins (SB's) No. TPE331-72-7130, dated June 17, 1994, No. TPE331-
72-7131, dated June 17, 1994, and No. TPE331-72-7523, dated February
17, 1995, that describe forward coupling shaft (stub shaft) cyclic life
limits.
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 FAA
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the
adoption of the rule as proposed.
There are approximately 200 engines of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 150 engines installed on
aircraft of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 80 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 $22,000 per engine for engines where
tieshafts and stub shafts are not serviceable. Based on these figures,
the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$4,020,000.
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
[[Page 13082]]
``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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-06-11 AlliedSignal Inc.: Amendment 39-9548. Docket 95-ANE-09.
Applicability: AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Garrett Engine
Division) Models TPE331-14A, -14B, -14F, and -15AW turboprop
engines, installed on but not limited to the following aircraft:
Piper Model PA-42-1000 and Grumman Model TS-2A (modified in
accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate SA4837NM).
Note: 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 use the
authority provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address
either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any
modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the
applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent fatigue failure of engine compressor components and
an inflight engine shutdown, accomplish the following:
(a) For main shouldered shafts (tieshafts), Part Number (P/N)
3105102-1, initiate a life limited part log card and remove from
service in accordance with the following schedule and the following
AlliedSignal Inc. Alert Service Bulletins (ASB's):
(1) Determine cycles in service (CIS) for the main shouldered
shafts (tieshafts) as follows:
(i) For main shouldered shafts (tieshafts) installed in TPE331-
14A and -14B engines, in accordance with ASB No. TPE331-A72-7128,
dated June 10, 1994.
(ii) For main shouldered shafts (tieshafts) installed in TPE331-
14F engines, in accordance with ASB No. TPE331-A72-7129, dated June
10, 1994.
(iii) For main shouldered shafts (tieshafts) installed in
TPE331-15AW engines, in accordance with ASB No. TPE331-A72-7522,
dated February 17, 1995.
(2) For main shouldered shafts (tieshafts) with greater than
5,600 CIS on the effective date of this airworthiness directive
(AD), or if operating hours or cycles are unknown, remove from
service within 400 CIS after the effective date of this AD.
(3) For main shouldered shafts (tieshafts) with 5,600 or less
CIS on the effective date of this AD, remove from service prior to
accumulating 6,000 CIS.
(b) For forward coupling shafts (stub shafts), P/N 3104281-2,
initiate a life limited part log card, identify the P/N, serialize
the forward coupling shaft (stub shaft), at the next major periodic
inspection or complete disassembly of the compressor module after
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, in accordance
with the following AlliedSignal Inc. Service Bulletins (SB's):
(1) For forward coupling shafts (stub shafts) installed in
TPE331-14A and -14B engines, in accordance with SB No. TPE331-72-
7130, dated June 17, 1994.
(2) For forward coupling shafts (stub shafts) installed in
TPE331-14F engines, in accordance with SB No. TPE331-72-7131, dated
June 17, 1994.
(3) For forward coupling shafts (stub shafts) installed in
TPE331-15AW engines, in accordance with SB No. TPE331-72-7523, dated
February 17, 1995.
(4) Remove from service forward coupling shafts (stub shafts)
prior to accumulating 20,000 CIS.
Note: For guidance on the destruction or marking of parts no
longer serviceable for aviation use, see Advisory Circular 21-38,
dated July 5, 1994.
(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: 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) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance
with the following AlliedSignal Engines service documents:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document No. Pages Revision Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASB No. TPE331-A72-7128............ 1-4 Original......................... June 10, 1994.
Total Pages: 4.
ASB No. TPE331-A72-7129............ 1-4 Original......................... June 10, 1994.
Total Pages: 4.
ASB No. TPE331-A72-7522............ 1-2 Original......................... Feb. 17, 1995.
Total Pages: 2.
SB No. TPE331-72-7130.............. 1-6 Original......................... June 17, 1994.
Total Pages: 6.
SB No. TPE331-72-7131.............. 1-6 Original......................... June 17, 1994.
Total Pages: 6.
SB No. TPE331-72-7523.............. 1-6 Original......................... Feb. 17, 1995.
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 AlliedSignal Aerospace, Data Distribution,
M/S 6403/2101-201, P.O. Box 29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003; telephone
(602) 365-2493, fax (602) 365-5577. Copies may be
[[Page 13083]]
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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on May 28, 1996.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 12, 1996.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-7135 Filed 3-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
