[Federal Register: May 7, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 89)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 25501-25503]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07my04-11]
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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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[[Page 25501]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2004-NE-10-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation (Formerly
Allison Engine Company, Allison Gas Turbine Division, and Detroit
Diesel Allison) (RRC) 250-B and 250-C Series Turboshaft and Turboprop
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain RRC 250-B and 250-C series turboshaft and turboprop
engines. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the
fuel nozzle screen for contamination, and if contamination is found,
inspection and cleaning of the entire aircraft fuel system before
further flight. This proposed AD would also require replacement of the
fuel nozzle with a new design fuel nozzle, at the next fuel nozzle
overhaul or by June 30, 2006, whichever occurs first. This proposed AD
results from 10 reports of engine power loss with accompanying collapse
of the fuel nozzle screen, due to fuel contamination. We are proposing
this AD to prevent sudden loss of engine power and uncommanded shutdown
of the engine due to fuel contamination and collapse of the screen in
the fuel nozzle.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by July 6,
2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD:
By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket
No. 2004-NE-10-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
By fax: (781) 238-7055.
By e-mail: 9-ane-adcomment@faa.gov.
You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from Rolls-Royce Corporation, P.O. Box 420, Indianapolis, IN 46206-
0420; telephone (317) 230-6400; fax (317) 230-4243.
You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Tallarovic, Aerospace Engineer,
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des
Plaines, IL 60018-4696; telephone (847) 294-8180; fax (847) 294-7834.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2004-NE-10-AD'' in the
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a
substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and
place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received
by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those
comments.
We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www
.plainlanguage.gov.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the
location.
Discussion
The FAA has received 10 reports of 250-B and 250-C series
turboshaft and turboprop engines experiencing loss of engine power due
to fuel contamination and collapse of the fuel nozzle screen. The
existing screen of the fuel nozzle, part number (P/N) 6890917, 6899001,
or 6852020, may collapse when clogging occurs. Following a 1997
accident resulting from a complete engine power loss due to fuel
contamination, the National Transportation Safety Board issued Safety
Recommendations A-98-84 and A-98-85. In response, we issued Special
Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) No. CE-01-10 to remind
operators of the importance of maintaining a clean aircraft fuel
system. We also issued an NPRM, Docket No. 99-NE-47-AD, on April 25,
2000 that would require a one-time inspection of the fuel nozzle screen
for model 250-C18 and -C20 engines. That NPRM was withdrawn because it
appeared that the problem would be solved by the increased awareness of
the importance of a clean fuel system following the issuance of SAIB
CE-01-10. Shortly after the NPRM was withdrawn another accident
resulted from a complete engine power loss due to fuel contamination.
After that initial NPRM was issued, the manufacturer conducted
extensive research into fuel contamination and introduced a new design
fuel nozzle. This fuel nozzle design incorporates a new screen design
that is resistant to collapse when contaminated. This NPRM is being
issued because collapsed fuel nozzle screens, and the resulting engine
power loss, due to fuel contamination, remains a problem. The scope of
this NPRM is expanded from the original NPRM to include all Rolls-Royce
Corporation model 250 engines because the improvement is equally
applicable to all of these engines. This condition, if not corrected,
could result in sudden loss of engine power and uncommanded shutdown of
the engine.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products
of this same
[[Page 25502]]
type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require:
A one-time inspection of the fuel nozzle screen for
contamination, within 150 operating hours after the effective date of
the proposed AD; and
Inspection and cleaning of the entire aircraft fuel system
before further flight, if contamination is found; and
Replacement of the fuel nozzle with a serviceable (new
design) fuel nozzle, at the next fuel nozzle overhaul or by June 30,
2006, whichever occurs first.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the Proposed AD
On July 10, 2002, we issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR
47998, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products,
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in
future AD actions.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 15,000 RRC 250-B and 250-C series turboshaft and
turboprop engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. We
estimate that 10,000 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD. We also estimate that it would
take about one work hour per engine to perform the proposed actions,
and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. In addition,
operators can either replace the fuel nozzle with a new one at a cost
of about $2,595 or have the existing nozzle overhauled at a cost of
about $850. We estimate that about 80% of the fuel nozzles will be
overhauled and 20% will be replaced with a new nozzle. Therefore, we
estimate that the required parts would cost, on average, about $1,200
per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the
proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $12,650,000.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposal and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 2004-NE-10-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Rolls-Royce Corporation (formerly Allison Engine Company, Allison
Gas Turbine Division, and Detroit Diesel Allison) (RRC): Docket No.
2004-NE-10-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by July 6,
2004.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to RRC 250-B and 250-C series turboshaft and
turboprop engines in the following Table 1:
Table 1--250-B and 250-C Series Turboshaft and Turboprop Engines
Affected
-B15A
-B15E
-B15G
-B17
-B17B
-B17C
-B17D
-B17E
-B17F
-B17F/1
-B17F/2
-C18
-C18A
-C18B
-C18C
-C20
-C20B
-C20C
-C20F
-C20J
-C20R
-C20R/1
-C20R/2
-C20R/4
-C20S
-C20W
-C28
-C28B
-C28C
-C30
-C30G
-C30G/2
-C30M
-C30P
-C30R
-C30R/1
-C30R/3
-C30R/3M
-C30S
-C30U
-C40B
-C47B
-C47M
These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Agusta
Models A109, A109A, A109AII, and A109C; Bell Helicopter Textron
Models 47, 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 407, and 430;
B-N Group Models BN-2T and BN-2T-4R; Enstrom Models TH28, 480; and
480B; Eurocopter Canada Limited Model BO 105 LS A-3; Eurocopter
France Models AS355E, AS355F, AS355I, and AS355F2; Eurocopter
Deutschland Models BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105S, and BO-105LS A-1;
Hiller Aviation Model FH-1100; McDonnell Douglas 369D, 369E, 369F,
369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 369FF, and 500N; Schweizer TH269D; and
SIAI Marchetti s.r.l. Models SF600 and SF600A helicopters and
airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from 10 reports of engine power loss with
accompanying collapse of the screen in the fuel nozzle, due to fuel
contamination. We are issuing this AD to prevent sudden loss of
engine power and uncommanded shutdown of the engine due to fuel
contamination and collapse of the screen in the fuel nozzle.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the
actions have already been done.
(f) Perform a one-time inspection of the fuel nozzle screen for
contamination, within 150 operating hours after the effective date
of this AD.
(g) Inspect and clean the entire aircraft fuel system before
further flight if there is any contamination on the screen.
(h) Remove from service fuel nozzles, part numbers (P/Ns)
6890917, 6899001, and 6852020, and replace with a serviceable fuel
nozzle, at the next fuel nozzle overhaul after the effective date of
this AD, or by June 30, 2006, whichever occurs first.
[[Page 25503]]
Definition
(i) For the purposes of this AD, a serviceable fuel nozzle is
defined as a nozzle that has a P/N not specified in, or addressed
by, this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(j) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, has the
authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) None.
Related Information
(l) Information related to the subject of this AD can be found
in Rolls-Royce Corporation Alert Commercial Engine Bulletin, with
the identification numbers of CEB-A-313, CEB-A-1394, CEB-A-73-2075,
CEB-A-73-3118, CEB-A-73-4056, CEB-A-73-5029, CEB-A-73-6041, TP CEB-
A-183, TP CEB-A-1336, and TP CEB-A-73-2032, dated September 4, 2003.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 29, 2004.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10385 Filed 5-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P