Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. TFE731 Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 154 (Tuesday, August 11, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42691-42692]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21398]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-ANE-51-AD; Amendment 39-10703; AD 98-17-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. TFE731 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to AlliedSignal Inc. TFE731 series turbofan engines, 
that currently requires the installation of a clamp assembly to support 
the rigid fuel tube. This action would require the installation of a 
clamp assembly to support the rigid fuel tube. This amendment requires 
installation of an improved flexible (flex) fuel tube. This amendment 
is prompted by reports of fuel leaks from a cracked fuel tube in 
engines that have already installed a clamp assembly in accordance with 
the current AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent cracking of the fuel tube and the subsequent leakage of fuel on 
or around electrical components, which can cause an engine fire.

DATES: Effective October 13, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from AlliedSignal Aerospace, Attn: Data Distribution, M/S 64-
3/2101-201, P.O. Box 29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003; telephone (602) 
365-2493, fax (602) 365-5577. This information may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803-5299; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; 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) by superseding AD 93-10-10, 
Amendment 39-8589 (58 FR 32835, June 14, 1993), applicable to Allied-
Signal Aerospace Company, Garrett Engine Division (now AlliedSignal 
Inc.) TFE731 series turbofan engines, was published in the Federal 
Register on February 23, 1998 (63 FR 8885). That action proposed to 
require the installation of an improved flex fuel tube.
    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 3,325 series engines of the affected design 
in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 2,319 engines installed 
on aircraft of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 2 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 $300 per engine. Based on these figures, 
the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$973,980.
    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.

[[Page 42692]]

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 removing Amendment 39-8589 (58 FR 
32835, June 14, 1993) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
Amendment 39-10703, to read as follows:

98-17-01  AlliedSignal Inc.: Amendment 39-10703. Docket 98-ANE-36-
AD. Supersedes AD 93-10-10, Amendment 39-8589.

    Applicability: AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Allied-Signal 
Aerospace Company, Garrett Engine Division and Garrett Turbine 
Engine Co.) TFE731-2, -3, and -4 series turbofan engines with fuel 
tubes, part numbers (P/Ns) 3071051-1, 3073729-1, or 3072886-1, 
installed. These engines are installed on but not limited to the 
following aircraft: Avions Marcel Dassault Falcon 10, 50, and 100 
series; Cessna Model 650, Citation III, VI, and VII; Learjet 31 
(M31) 35, 36 and 55 series, Raytheon British Aerospace HS-125 
series; and Sabreliner NA-265-65.

    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 (b) 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 cracked fuel tubes and the subsequent leakage of fuel 
on and around electrical components, which can cause an engine fire, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 160 hours time in service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD, or prior to December 20, 1999, whichever occurs 
first, install an improved flexible fuel tube, as follows:
    (1) For engines installed on Cessna aircraft, install in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of AlliedSignal Inc. 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. TFE731-A73-3132, dated April 9, 
1997.
    (2) For engines installed on all other aircraft except for the 
Learjet 35, 36 and 55 series, install in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of AlliedSignal Inc. ASB No. TFE731-A73-
3128, dated February 26, 1997.
    (b) 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.

    (c) 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.
    (d) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following AlliedSignal Inc. ASBs:

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             Document No.               Pages             Date          
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TFE731-A73-3132......................     1-12  April 9, 1997.          
    Total pages: 12.                                                    
TFE731-A73-3128......................     1-14  February 26, 1997.      
    Total pages: 14.                                                    
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    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 AlliedSignal Aerospace, Attn: 
Data Distribution, M/S 64-3/2101-201, P.O. Box 29003, Phoenix, AZ 
85038-9003; telephone (602) 365-2493, fax (602) 365-5577. 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 13, 1998.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 3, 1998.
David A. Downey,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-21398 Filed 8-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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