[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 91 (Thursday, May 9, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21070-21071]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-11258]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-ANE-12; Amendment 39-9609; AD 96-10-04]
Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal, Inc. LTS101-600 Series
Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to AlliedSignal, Inc. LTS101-600 series turboshaft engines,
that requires installation of an improved design fuel control. This
amendment is prompted by reports of fuel control bearings failing prior
to the recommended overhaul period. The actions specified by this AD
are intended to prevent a fuel control failure, which could result in
an uncommanded increase or decrease in engine power.
DATES: Effective June 13, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 13, 1996.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from AlliedSignal Engines, 111 South 34th Street, Phoenix, AZ
85072; telephone (602) 365-2493, fax (602) 365-2210. 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: Dave Keenan, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617)
238-7139, fax (617) 238-7199.
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. Models LTS101-
600A-2/A-3 turboshaft engines was published in the Federal Register on
August 21, 1995 (60 FR 43413). That action proposed to require the
installation of an improved fuel control in accordance with
AlliedSignal Engines Service Bulletin (SB) No. LTS101A-73-20-0166,
Revision 1, dated November 21, 1994.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
One commenter, the manufacturer, states that since the issuance of
the NPRM, AlliedSignal, Inc. has revised AlliedSignal Engines SB No.
LTS101A-73-20-0166 to recommend the installation of a screened
pneumatic fitting on the main fuel control (MFC). The FAA concurs in
part. Both revisions of the SB address the incorporation of fuel
control drive (Meldin) bearings in the MFC in the same manner, which is
the primary focus of this AD. The FAA has determined that installation
of a screened pneumatic fitting is not necessary to prevent a MFC
failure due to lack of bearing lubrication. Therefore, this final rule
references both AlliedSignal Engines SB No. LTS101A-73-20-0166,
Revision 1, dated November 21, 1994, and Revision 2, dated August 1,
1995, but does not require installation of a screened pneumatic
fitting.
The manufacturer also states that due to the time required to
publish the NPRM and receive comments, the AD will not be published
prior to compliance end-date specified in the NPRM. The FAA concurs and
has extended the compliance end-date in this final rule to September 1,
1996.
In addition, the FAA is considering future rulemaking to address
other aircraft installations of the AlliedSignal, Inc. LT101 series
engines.
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
The FAA estimates that 216 engines installed on aircraft of U.S.
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately
2.5 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 $1,000 per engine. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $248,400.
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.
[[Page 21071]]
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:
96-10-04 AlliedSignal, Inc.: Amendment 39-9609. Docket 95-ANE-12.
Applicability: AlliedSignal, Inc. Models LTS101-600A-2 and A-3
turboshaft engines, installed on but not limited to Eurocopter AS350
series aircraft.
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 (b) 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 a fuel control failure, which could result in an
uncommanded increase or decrease in available engine power,
accomplish the following:
(a) At the next replacement of an affected fuel control, prior
to accumulating 300 hours time in service (TIS) after the effective
date of this AD, or September 1, 1996, whichever occurs first,
accomplish the following in accordance with AlliedSignal Engines
Service Bulletin (SB) No. LTS101A-73-20-0166, Revision 1, dated
November 21, 1994, or Revision 2, dated August 1, 1995:
(1) For AlliedSignal, Inc. Model LTS101-600A-2 engines, install
an improved fuel control, P/N 4-301-098-04 with ``B'' or ``BF''
stamped on the data plate after the dash number of the AlliedSignal
Aerospace Equipment Division (formerly AlliedSignal Controls and
Accessories/Bendix) part number, or P/N 4-301-098-15. These improved
fuel controls incorporate fuel control drive (Meldin) bearings.
(2) For AlliedSignal, Inc. Model LTS101-600A-3 engines, install
an improved fuel control, P/N 4-301-288-02 with ``B'' or ``BF''
stamped on the data plate after the dash number of the AlliedSignal
Aerospace Equipment Division (formerly AlliedSignal Controls and
Accessories/Bendix)
P/N, or P/N 4-301-288-04. These improved fuel controls incorporate
fuel control drive (Meldin) bearings.
(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, Engine 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, Engine Certification Office.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive,
if any, may be obtained from the Engine 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.
(d) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance
with the following AlliedSignal Engines SB's:
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Document No. Pages Revision Date
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LTS101A-73-20-0166............... 1-3 1 November 21, 1994.
Total Pages: 3.
LTS101A-73-20-0166............... 1-6 2 August 1, 1995.
Total Pages: 6.
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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 Engines, 111 South
34th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85072; telephone (602) 365-2493, fax (602)
365-2210. 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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on June 13, 1996.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 24, 1996.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-11258 Filed 5-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
