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

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 149 (Thursday, August 3, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43964-43967]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12420]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2004-NE-10-AD; Amendment 39-14704; AD 2006-16-04]
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: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) for RRC 250-B and 250-C series turboshaft and turboprop engines. 
That AD currently requires a onetime 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. That 
AD also requires replacing the fuel nozzle with a new design fuel 
nozzle, at the next fuel nozzle overhaul or by June 30, 2006, whichever 
occurs first. This AD requires the same actions, but would add 
additional part numbers (P/Ns) to the list of affected fuel nozzles. 
This AD would also explain that the existing AD, as worded, allows 
certain part number (P/N) fuel nozzles back into service. Those fuel 
nozzles must not be allowed back into service. This AD is prompted by 
the discovery that several P/Ns of fuel nozzles were inadvertently left 
out of AD 2004-24-09. We are issuing this AD to minimize the risk of 
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: This AD becomes effective September 7, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket 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: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with a proposed airworthiness directive (AD). The proposed AD applies 
to RRC 250-B and 250-C series turboshaft and turboprop engines. We 
published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on October 18, 2005 
(70 FR 60453). That action proposed to require a onetime 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. That AD also proposed to require replacing the 
fuel nozzle with a new design fuel nozzle, at the next fuel nozzle 
overhaul.

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.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Listing of Rule in DMS

    One commenter believes that we should have listed the proposed 
action in ``dms''. We do not agree. Although the commenter did not 
define ``dms,'' the only relevant system is the Docket Management 
System (DMS). When we began this proposed rule early in 2004, we were 
not using the DMS and we could not list it in the system.

Change Goodrich Aerospace to Delavan

    One commenter notes that Goodrich Aerospace acquired the company 
with the Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) cited in the proposed AD 
(Delavan) and suggests changing the name in the final rule. We agree 
and have changed the name to Goodrich Delavan (Delavan was misspelled 
in the proposed rule.)

Combine Tables 3 and 4

    One commenter requests we combine Tables 3 and 4. The commenter 
believes that the nozzles listed in Table 3 manufactured under the PMA, 
which require an inspection within 50 operating hours, should be 
treated in the same manner as the nozzles listed in Table 4, which do 
not require an inspection until 150 operating hours. We do not agree. 
Operators have already inspected the nozzles listed in Table 4 under 
the requirements of AD 2004-24-09. After we published that AD, we found 
that we omitted some fuel nozzle part numbers from the list of parts 
requiring inspection. This proposed rule adds those omitted part 
numbers and includes both Rolls-Royce Corporation and PMA parts. 
Because we omitted these parts from AD 2004-24-09, operators have not 
inspected them yet.

[[Page 43965]]

Based on that, we intentionally shortened the compliance time for 
inspecting them. We have not changed this AD.

Correct Applicability Errors

    One commenter asks that we correct errors and omissions in the 
listing of aircraft models on which the affected engines are installed 
in Table 2. We agree and we have corrected this information in Table 2 
and in the Applicability.

Change in Required Compliance Time

    We have changed the compliance time required in paragraph (h) of 
the proposed rule from, ``At the next fuel nozzle overhaul after the 
effective date of this AD, or by June 30, 2006, whichever occurs first 
* * *'', to ``At the next fuel nozzle overhaul after the effective date 
of this AD * * *'', because the June 30, 2006 date has past.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 10,000 engines installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about one 
work-hour per engine to perform the required 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 percent of the fuel nozzles will be overhauled 
and 20 percent will be replaced with a new nozzle. Therefore, we 
estimate that the required parts will cost, on average, about $1,200 
per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the 
AD to U.S. operators to be $12,650,000.

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 this AD:
    (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.
    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 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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 removing Amendment 39-13885 (69 FR 
69807, December 1, 2004) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
Amendment 39-14704, to read as follows:

2006-16-04 Rolls-Royce Corporation (formerly Allison Engine Company, 
Allison Gas Turbine Division, and Detroit Diesel Allison): Amendment 
39-14704. Docket No. 2004-NE-10-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective 
September 7, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2004-24-09, Amendment 39-13885.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to 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 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
                                     -C10
                                    -C10B
                                    -C10D
                                     -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, the aircraft 
listed in the following Table 2:

[[Page 43966]]



           Table 2.--Engines Installed on, But Not Limited To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Manufacturer                            Model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AeroSpace Technologies of Australia Pty  N22B, N22S, and N24A.
 Ltd.
Agusta.................................  A109, A109A, A109AII, and
                                          A109C.
Arrow Falcon Exporters.................  OH-58A, OH-58A+, and OH-58C.
Bell Helicopter Textron................  206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206L, 206L-
                                          1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 230, 407,
                                          and 430.
B-N Group..............................  BN-2T and BN-2T-4R.
Enstrom Helicopter.....................  TH28, 480; and 480B.
Eurocopter Canada Limited..............  BO 105 LS A-3.
Eurocopter Deutschland.................  BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105LS A-1,
                                          and BO-105S.
Eurocopter France......................  AS355E, AS355F, AS355I, and
                                          AS355F2.
FH-1100 Manufacturing Corporation......  100, 420, and MX-7-420A.
Garlick Helicopters....................  OH-58A, OH-58A+, OH-58C; Maule
                                          zm-7-420A, MT-7-420, MX-7-420,
                                          MX-7-420A.
MD Helicopters Inc.....................  369, 369A, 369D, 369E, 369F,
                                          369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM,
                                          369HS, 500N, and 600N.
San Joaquin Helicopters................  OH-58A, OH-58A+, and OH-58C.
Schweizer..............................  TH269D.
SIAI Marchetti s.r.l...................  SF600 and SF600A.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation..........  S-76A.
Vulcanair S.p.A........................  AP68TP 300, and AP68TP 600.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD is prompted by the discovery that several part 
numbers (P/Ns) of fuel nozzles were inadvertently left out of AD 
2004-24-09. That AD, as worded, allows certain P/N fuel nozzles back 
into service. Those fuel nozzles must not be allowed back into 
service. We are issuing this AD to minimize the risk of 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 onetime inspection of the screens in fuel nozzles 
as follows:
    (1) For fuel nozzles with a P/N listed in Table 3 of this AD, 
inspect the screen for contamination within 50 operating hours after 
the effective date of this AD.

    Table 3.--Fuel Nozzles To Be Inspected Within 50 Operating Hours
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Corresponding
              Manufacturer                      P/N       RRC vendor P/N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
RRC.....................................         6874959         5232815
                                                 6894610         5233465
                                                 6898531         5233585
Goodrich Delavan (Parts Manufacturer               47069             N/A
 Approval (PMA))........................           47101             N/A
                                                   49445             N/A
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) For fuel nozzles with a P/N listed in Table 4 of this AD, 
inspect the screen for contamination within 150 operating hours 
after January 5, 2005.

    Table 4.--Fuel Nozzles To Be Inspected Within 150 Operating Hours
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Corresponding
              Manufacturer                      P/N       RRC vendor P/N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
RRC.....................................         6852020         5232480
                                                 6890917         5233333
                                                 6899001         5233600
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (g) If you find contamination on the screen, inspect and clean 
the entire aircraft fuel system before further flight.
    (h) At the next fuel nozzle overhaul after the effective date of 
this AD, do the following:
    (1) Remove from service fuel nozzles listed in Table 3 and Table 
4 of this AD.
    (2) Replace with a serviceable fuel nozzle.

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.

Previous Credit

    (j) Previous credit is given for onetime inspections of fuel 
nozzles, RRC P/Ns 6852020, 6890917, and 6899001 using AD 2004-24-09.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (k) 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.

[[Page 43967]]

Related Information

    (l) Information related to the subject of this AD can be found 
in Rolls-Royce Corporation Alert Commercial Engine Bulletins (CEBs), 
all at Revision 1, and all dated August 30, 2004, listed in the 
following Table 5:

           Table 5.--Related Alert Commercial Engine Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CEB-A-313.............................  CEB-A-73-5029
CEB-A-73-2075.........................  CEB-A-73-6041
CEB-A-1394............................  TP CEB-A-183
CEB-A-73-3118.........................  TP CEB-A-1336
CEB-A-73-4056.........................  TP CEB-A-73-2032
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 27, 2006.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-12420 Filed 8-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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