[Federal Register: October 3, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 190)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 57487-57491]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03oc05-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22534; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-27-AD;
Amendment 39-14305; AD 2005-20-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) (formerly
Allison Engine Company, Allison Gas Turbine Division, and Detroit
Diesel Allison) Models 250-C28, -C28B, and -C28C Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
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ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Rolls-Royce Corporation (formerly Allison Engine Company, Allison Gas
Turbine Division, and Detroit Diesel Allison) (RRC) Models 250-C28, -
C28B, and -C28C turboshaft engines. This AD requires a onetime visual
inspection of the seal joint in each passage between airfoils at the
hub and shroud of third-stage turbine wheels, part number (P/N)
6899383. This AD results from reports of three failed third-stage
turbine wheels and from the manufacturer's analysis of those failures.
We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of power and uncommanded engine
shutdown due to failure of the third-stage turbine wheel.
DATES: This AD becomes effective October 18, 2005.
We must receive any comments on this AD by December 2, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Rolls-Royce Corporation, PO Box 420, Indianapolis, IN
46206-0420; telephone (317) 230-6400; fax (317) 230-4243 for the
service information identified in this AD.
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: In April 2005, we became aware of reports of
three failed third-stage turbine wheels, P/N 6899383. The third-stage
turbine wheels had partial loss of the blades and shroud. RRC conducted
an analysis and found the failures were caused by compromised third-
stage blade fillet radii, which led to increased stresses to the third-
stage blades and shroud. RRC categorized this finding as a
manufacturer's quality control problem. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in loss of power and uncommanded engine
shutdown due to failure of the third-stage turbine wheel.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other RRC Models 250-C28, -C28B, and -C28C turboshaft
engines of the same type design. For that reason, we are issuing this
AD to prevent loss of power and uncommanded engine shutdown due to
failure of the third-stage turbine wheel. This AD requires a onetime
visual inspection of the seal joint in each passage between airfoils at
the hub and shroud of third-stage turbine wheels, P/N 6899383.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment; however, we invite you to send us any written relevant data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2005-22534;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-27-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify it.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the Docket
Management System (DMS) Web site, anyone can find and read the comments
in any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent
the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy
Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65
FR 19477-78) or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments
received, and any final disposition in person at the Docket Management
Facility Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800)
647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Department of
Transportation Nassif Building at the street address stated in
ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
the DMS receives them.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 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. 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary at the
address listed under ADDRESSES.
[[Page 57489]]
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Under 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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2005-20-11 Rolls-Royce Corporation (formerly Allison Engine Company,
Allison Gas Turbine Division, and Detroit Diesel Allison): Amendment
39-14305. Docket No. FAA-2005-22534; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-
27-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October
18, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) (formerly
Allison Engine Company, Allison Gas Turbine Division, and Detroit
Diesel Allison) models 250-C28, -C28B, and -C28C turboshaft engines.
These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Bell Helicopter
Textron 206L-1; Eurocopter Deutschland BO 105 LS A-1; and Eurocopter
Canada BO 105 LS A-3 helicopters.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of three failed third-stage
turbine wheels and from the manufacturer's analysis of those
failures. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of power and
uncommanded engine shutdown due to failure of the third-stage
turbine wheel.
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.
Onetime Visual Inspection
(f) For third-stage turbine wheels, part number (P/N) 6899383,
with fewer than 3,000 hours time-since-new (TSN), inspect the next
time the third-stage turbine wheel is directly available for
removal, at the next turbine overhaul, or by April 30, 2007,
whichever occurs sooner.
(g) For third-stage turbine wheels, P/N 6899383, with 3,000
hours or more TSN, inspect within 300 hours or by April 30, 2007,
whichever occurs sooner.
(h) Remove the third-stage turbine wheel and perform a onetime
visual inspection of the seal joint in each passage between airfoils
at the hub and shroud. Seal joint evidence must not be present
within blade fillet radii. See Figure 1 of this AD for reference.
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(i) Remove from service any turbine wheel that has seal joint
evidence present within blade fillet radii.
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.
Related Information
(k) RRC Alert Service Bulletin No. CEB-A-72-2205, dated April
26, 2005, pertains to the subject of this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 26, 2005.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-19693 Filed 9-30-05; 8:45 am]
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