[Federal Register: March 20, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 54)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 13618-13619]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20mr03-3]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NE-48-AD; Amendment 39-13090; AD 2003-06-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Aircraft Engines CT7
Series Turboprop Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to certain General Electric Aircraft Engines (GEAE) CT7
series turboprop engines. This amendment requires initial and
repetitive inspections of the propeller gearbox (PGB) oil filter
impending bypass button (IBB) for extension (popping), requires follow-
on inspections, maintenance, and replacement actions if the PGB oil
filter IBB is popped, and if necessary, replacement of the PGB with a
serviceable PGB. In addition, this amendment requires replacement of
certain left-hand and right-hand idler gears at time of overhaul of
PGBs, and the replacement of certain SN PGBs before accumulating 2,000
flight hours. This amendment is prompted by an on-going investigation
that concluded that low-time PGB removals are due to accelerated wear
of the PGB idler gears, rather than improperly hardened PGB input
pinions. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
separation of PGB left-hand and right-hand idler gears, which could
result in uncontained PGB failure and internal bulkhead damage,
possibly prohibiting the auxiliary feathering system from fully
feathering the propeller on certain PGBs.
DATES: Effective April 24, 2003. The incorporation by reference of
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the
Director of the Federal Register as of April 24, 2003.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from General Electric Aircraft Engines CT7 Series Turboprop
Engines, 1000 Western Ave, Lynn, MA 01910; telephone (781) 594-3140,
fax (781) 594-4805. This information may be examined, by appointment,
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region,
Office of the Regional 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: Barbara Caufield, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781)
238-7146; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is
applicable to certain GEAE CT7 series turboprop engines was published
in the Federal Register on June 13, 2002 (67 FR 40623). That action
proposed to require initial and repetitive inspections of the PGB oil
filter IBB for extension (popping), follow-on inspections, maintenance,
and replacement actions if the PGB oil filter IBB is popped, and if
necessary, replacement of the PGB with a serviceable PGB. In addition,
that action proposed to require replacement of certain left-hand and
right-hand idler gears at time of overhaul of PGBs, and the replacement
of certain SN PGBs before accumulating 2,000 flight hours in accordance
with GEAE CT7 Turboprop Service Bulletin CT7-TP S/B 72-0453, dated July
27, 2001 and GEAE CT7 Turboprop Service Bulletin CT7-TP S/B 72-0452,
dated July 27, 2001.
Comments
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.
Economic Analysis
There are approximately 150 engines of the affected design
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry that would be affected by this
AD. The FAA estimates that each IBB inspection would take approximately
0.25 work hours per engine, and the average labor rate is $60 per work
hour. Inspection and replacement of idler gears would take
approximately four work hours per engine at time of PGB overhaul.
Replacement cost for idler gears per PGB is estimated to be $140,670.
Replacement of a PGB would take approximately 48 hours. Therefore, the
total cost of the AD to U.S. operators would be approximately
$21,138,750.
Regulatory Analysis
This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined
in Executive Order 13132, because it would not have a substantial
direct effect 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. Accordingly,
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication
of this final rule.
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 the 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
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, 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:
[[Page 13619]]
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 a new airworthiness directive
to read as follows:
2003-06-03 General Electric Aircraft Engines: Amendment 39-13090.
Docket No. 99-NE-48-AD.
Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable
to General Electric Aircraft Engines (GEAE) CT7 series turboprop
engines, with propeller gearboxes (PGBs) identified by serial number
(SN) in Table 1 of GEAE CT7 Turboprop Service Bulletin CT7-TP S/B
72-0452, dated July 27, 2001. These engines are installed on but not
limited to SAAB 340 series airplanes.
Note 1: 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) 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: Compliance with this AD is required as indicated,
unless already done.
To prevent separation of PGB left-hand and right-hand idler
gears, which could result in uncontained PGB failure and internal
bulkhead damage, possibly prohibiting the auxiliary feathering
system from fully feathering the propeller on certain PGBs, do the
following:
(a) Inspect the PGB oil filter impending bypass button (IBB) for
extension in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) Initially inspect within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS)
after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Thereafter, inspect each operational day.
(b) If the PGB oil filter IBB is extended, replace the oil
filter and perform follow-on inspections in accordance with 3.A of
the Accomplishment Instructions of GEAE CT7 Turboprop Service
Bulletin CT7-TP S/B 72-0453, dated July 27, 2001.
(c) At the next return of the PGB to a CT7 turboprop overhaul
facility after the effective date of this AD, replace left-hand and
right-hand idler gears in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of GEAE CT7 Turboprop Service Bulletin CT7-TP S/B 72-
0452, dated July 27, 2001.
(d) If the PGB is mated to a Hamilton Standard propeller and the
left-hand and right-hand idler gears have not been replaced in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of GEAE CT7
Turboprop Service Bulletin CT7-TP S/B 72-0452, dated July 27, 2001,
replace the PGB before accumulating an additional 2,000 engine
flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
Terminating Action
(e) Replacement of left-hand and right-hand idler gears in
accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD, or replacement of the PGB
in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD constitutes terminating
action to the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) of
this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(f) 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 (ECO).
Operators must submit their request through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, ECO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive,
if any, may be obtained from the ECO.
Special Flight Permits
(g) Special flight permits may be issued only for an airplane
that has not more than one engine with a PGB oil filter IBB
extended, to operate the airplane to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be done.
Documents That Have Been Incorporated By Reference
(h) The inspections must be done in accordance with the
following General Electric Aircraft Engines service bulletins (SBs):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document No. Pages Revision Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SB CT7-TP S/B 72-0452 Total All..... Original... July 27, 2001
Pages: 12.
SB CT7-TP S/B 72-0453 Total All..... Original... July 27, 2001
Pages: 5.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 General Electric Aircraft
Engines CT7 Series Turboprop Engines, 1000 Western Ave, Lynn, MA
01910; telephone (781) 594-3140, fax (781) 594-4805. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional
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.
Effective Date
(i) This amendment becomes effective on April 24, 2003.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 12, 2003.
Mark C. Fulmer,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-6505 Filed 3-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P