[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 109 (Monday, June 8, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31108-31109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15089]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-ANE-47-AD; Amendment 39-10565; AD 98-12-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. Model TPE331 Series
Turboprop 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. Model TPE331 series turboprop engines,
that requires removal of suspect fuel manifold assemblies and
replacement with serviceable assemblies. This amendment is prompted by
an FAA investigation into Hoses Unlimited's repairs of TPE331 fuel
manifolds, which were not approved by the FAA. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent fuel leakage at the fuel manifold
fittings, resulting in fuel spraying on hot turbine components, which
could result in an engine fire.
DATES: Effective August 7, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer,
[[Page 31109]]
Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood,
CA 90712-4137; Telephone (562) 627-5246, Fax (562) 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. Model TPE331-8,
-10, -11 and -12 series turboprop engines with fuel manifold, Part
Number (P/N) 3102469-1 or -2, repaired by Hoses Unlimited, Inc. prior
to November 11, 1995, was published in the Federal Register on January
21, 1998 (63 FR 3056). That action proposed to require removal of
suspect fuel manifold assemblies and replacement with serviceable
assemblies.
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 70 engines of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 50 engines installed on
aircraft of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 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 $1,800 per engine. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $105,000.
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 ``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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-12-09 AlliedSignal Inc.: Amendment 39-10565. Docket 97-ANE-47-
AD.
Applicability: AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Allied-Signal
Aerospace Company, Garrett Engine Division and Garrett Turbine
Engine Co.) Model TPE331-8, -10, -11 and -12 series turboprop
engines with fuel manifold, Part Number (P/N) 3102469-1 or -2,
repaired by Hoses Unlimited, Inc. prior to November 20, 1995. These
engines are installed on but not limited to Ayres S2R-G10; Cessna
Model 441; Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA) C-212 series;
Dornier 228 series; Fairchild SA226 and SA227 series; Jetstream 3101
and 3201 series; Mitsubishi MU-2B series (MU-2 series); and Twin
Commander Aircraft Corp. Models 695 and 695A aircraft.
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 (d) 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 fuel leakage of the fuel manifold, resulting in fuel
spraying on hot turbine components, which could result in an engine
fire, accomplish the following:
(a) Check all fuel manifold identification bands for P/Ns
3102469-1 or -2 and the Hoses Unlimited, Inc. name, or review engine
and aircraft maintenance records and purchase receipts to establish
the origin and repairs on all fuel manifolds. If records indicate
that fuel manifolds, P/Ns 3102469-1 or -2, are not installed in an
engine or that Hoses Unlimited, Inc. has not been used as a repair
facility, no further AD action is required.
(b) Remove from service all fuel manifolds with the Hoses
Unlimited, Inc. name and P/Ns 3102469-1 or -2 and replace with a
serviceable fuel manifold in accordance with the applicable
AlliedSignal engine maintenance manual, at first access to the fuel
manifold assembly, at the next engine hot section inspection, or 3
years after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
(c) For the purposes of this AD, first access to the fuel
manifold is defined as any repair, modification, removal, or testing
of the fuel manifold assembly or components of the fuel manifold
assembly.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 7, 1998.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1998.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15089 Filed 6-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
