[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 117 (Monday, June 19, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31932-31933]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14871]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 117 / Monday, June 19, 1995 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 31932]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-ANE-09]
Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. TPE331 Series
Turboprop Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain AlliedSignal Inc. TPE331
series turboprop engines. This proposal would establish cyclic
retirement lives for certain compressor components. This proposal 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 the proposed AD are
intended to prevent fatigue failure of engine compressor components and
an inflight engine shutdown.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 18, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-09, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. 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 Engines Data Distribution, Dept. 6403/2102-
1M, P.O. Box 29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003; telephone (602) 365-2493,
FAX (602) 365-2210. This information may be examined at the FAA, New
England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 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 90712-4137; telephone
(310) 627-5246; fax (310) 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 95-ANE-09.'' 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 Assistant Chief Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-09, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
Discussion
Following an analysis of the AlliedSignal Inc. Model TPE331-14GR
and TPE331-14HR turboprop engines tieshaft aft thread form, the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) has determined that main shouldered
shafts (tieshafts) and forward coupling shafts (stub shafts), installed
on AlliedSignal Inc. Models TPE331-14A, -14B, -14F, and -15AW turboprop
engines, are subject to a fatigue limit. Engine testing and analysis
indicate that if these compressor components, which were previously
certified as having unlimited service lives, continue in service
without established retirement lives, fatigue failure may result. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in fatigue failure of engine
compressor components and an inflight engine shutdown.
The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of
AlliedSignal Inc. Service Bulletins (SB'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 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.
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 establish cyclic retirement lives for main shouldered
shafts (tieshafts) and forward coupling shafts (stub shafts). The
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the
SB's described previously.
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 would be affected by this proposed AD, that
it would take approximately 80 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 $22,000 per engine for engines
where tieshafts and stub shafts are not serviceable. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $4,020,000.
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship [[Page 31933]] 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) 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
AlliedSignal Inc.: Docket No. 95-ANE-09.
Applicability: AlliedSignal Inc. 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 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 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 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 cycles in service (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, reidentify 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, and remove
from service 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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 12, 1995.
Ronald L. Vavruska,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-14871 Filed 6-16-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
