Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems T-62T-46C12 Auxiliary Power Units

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 199 (Friday, October 16, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53159-53160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-24396]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0247; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-07-AD; 
Amendment 39-16040; AD 2009-21-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems T-
62T-46C12 Auxiliary Power Units

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems T-62T-46C12 auxiliary power units 
(APUs). This AD requires upgrading the software in the APU full-
authority digital controller (FADEC) from software version 02.01.000 to 
version 03.00.000. This AD results from two reports of APU compartment 
explosions due to over-fueling of the APU at low revolutions-per-minute 
during the start sequence. We are issuing this AD to prevent over-
fueling of the APU during the start sequence, which could lead to fuel 
explosions, injury, and damage to the APU and the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 20, 2009. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of November 20, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from Hamilton Sundstrand Technical Publications, One Hamilton Road, 
Mail Stop: 1A-3-Z63, Windsor Locks, CT 06096-1010; telephone (860) 654-
3575.
    The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Pesuit, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (562) 627-5251, fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to Hamilton Sundstrand 
Power Systems T-62T-46C12 APUs. We published the proposed AD in the 
Federal Register on April 13, 2009 (74 FR 16811). That action proposed 
to require upgrading the software in the APU FADEC from software 
version 02.01.000 to version 03.00.000.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is provided in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment received.
    One commenter states that we should reference Revision 2 of 
Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems Service Bulletin (SB) No. 4503067-49-
12 instead of referencing Revision 1 of that SB. Revision 1 had a 
technical error in it that prevented loading the software change.
    We agree. We changed the AD to reference Revision 2 of the SB.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the change described previously. 
We have determined that this change 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 59 Hamilton Sundstrand Power 
Systems T-62T-46C12 APUs installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
also estimate that it will take about three work-hours per APU to 
perform the actions, and that the average labor rate is $80 per work-
hour. There is no required part cost. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be $14,160.

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 at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES.

[[Page 53160]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2009-21-03 Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems: Amendment 39-16040. 
Docket No. FAA-2009-0247; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-07-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 
20, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems T-62T-
46C12 auxiliary power units (APUs). These APUs are installed on, but 
not limited to, Bombardier Inc. DHC-8-400 series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from two reports of APU compartment 
explosions due to over-fueling of the APU at low revolutions-per-
minute during the start sequence. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
over-fueling of the APU during the start sequence, which could lead 
to fuel explosion, injury, and damage to the APU and the airplane.

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.

Software Upgrade of the APU Full-Authority Digital Electronic 
Controller (FADEC)

    (f) At the next FADEC removal, but no later than 18 months after 
the effective date of this AD, upgrade the software in the APU FADEC 
from software version 02.01.000 to version 03.00.000, and change the 
FADEC part number (P/N) from 4503069E to 4503069F.
    (g) Use paragraphs 3.A through 3.F.(2) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems Service Bulletin 
No. 4503067-49-12, Revision 2, dated March 9, 2009, to do the 
software upgrade and the FADEC P/N change.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (h) The Manager, Los Angeles 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

    (i) Contact Roger Pesuit, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (562) 627-5251, fax (562) 627-5210, 
for more information about this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems Service 
Bulletin No. 4503067-49-12, Revision 2, dated March 9, 2009, to 
perform the actions required by this AD. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service 
bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Contact Hamilton Sundstrand Technical Publications, One Hamilton 
Road, Mail Stop: 1A-3-Z63, Windsor Locks, CT 06096-1010; telephone 
(860) 654-3575, for a copy of this service information. You may 
review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 30, 2009.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-24396 Filed 10-15-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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