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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 219 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70334-70335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29229]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1159; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-34-AD; 
Amendment 39-16864; AD 2011-23-13]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. Turboshaft 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Honeywell International Inc. LTS101-600A-2, -3, -3A, and LTS101-700D-2 
turboshaft engines with certain power turbine governors (PTG) model AL-
AB1, installed, that are marked with compliance symbol N or P, or with 
no compliance symbol, on the PTG identification plate. This AD requires 
initial and repetitive replacements of the affected PTGs. This AD was 
prompted by reports of two accidents where the engines suddenly lost 
power and the helicopters had to make emergency autorotation landings, 
leading to substantial damage to the helicopters. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent loss of engine power, leading to emergency autorotation 
landing and damage to the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective November 29, 2011.
    We must receive comments on this AD by December 29, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
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 Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Baitoo, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., 
Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (562) 627-5245; fax: (562) 627-5210; email: 
robert.baitoo@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received reports of two accidents where the engines suddenly 
lost power and the helicopters had to make emergency autorotation 
landings. Investigation revealed that PTG spool bearings, part number 
(P/N) 2523973 Revision N and P/N 2523973 Revision P, could fail 
prematurely. PTGs with these affected spool bearings require repetitive 
replacements before the spool bearings wear out prematurely. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in sudden engine power loss, 
the helicopter making an emergency autorotation landing, and 
substantial damage to the helicopter.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires initial and repetitive replacements of PTGs model 
AL-AB1, P/N 4-301-289-03, 4-301-289-05, 4-301-289-09, 4-301-101-16, and 
4-301-101-18, that are marked with compliance symbol N or P, or with no 
compliance symbol, on the PTG identification plate.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. If final action is later 
identified, we might consider further rulemaking then.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because of 
the premature failure of the affected PTGs. Therefore, we find that 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment 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 any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2011-1159 and 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-34-AD at the beginning of your comments. 
We

[[Page 70335]]

specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 83 Honeywell International 
Inc. LTS101-600A-2, -3, -3A, and LTS101-700D-2 turboshaft engines, 
installed on helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it 
will take about 3 work-hours to replace a PTG on each engine. Required 
parts would cost about $3,500 per engine. The average labor rate is $85 
per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of 
this AD for one PTG replacement to U.S. operators, to be $311,665.

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

    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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA 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 (AD):

2011-23-13 Honeywell International Inc.: Amendment 39-16864; Docket 
No. FAA-2011-1159; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-34-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 29, 2011.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Honeywell International Inc. LTS101-600A-2, -
3, -3A, and LTS101-700D-2 turboshaft engines with a power turbine 
governor (PTG) model AL-AB1, part number 4-301-289-03, 4-301-289-05, 
4-301-289-09, 4-301-101-16, or 4-301-101-18, installed, that is 
marked with compliance symbol N or P, or with no compliance symbol, 
on the PTG identification plate.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of two accidents where the 
engines suddenly lost power and the helicopters had to make 
emergency autorotation landings, leading to substantial damage to 
the helicopters. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of engine 
power, leading to emergency autorotation landing and damage to the 
helicopter.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(f) PTGs Marked With Compliance Symbol N, or With No Compliance Symbol

    (g) For PTGs that are marked with compliance symbol N, or with 
no compliance symbol, on the PTG identification plate:
    (1) If the PTG has more than 150 operating hours time-since-new 
(TSN), time-since-overhaul (TSO), or time-since-replacement (TSR), 
on the effective date of this AD, replace it with a PTG that is 
eligible for installation, within the next 50 operating hours.
    (2) If the PTG has 150 or fewer operating hours TSN, TSO, or 
TSR, on the effective date of this AD, replace it with a PTG that is 
eligible for installation, before accumulating 200 total operating 
hours.
    (3) Thereafter, replace it with a PTG that is eligible for 
installation, within every 200 operating hours TSN, TSO, or TSR.

(h) PTGs Marked With Compliance Symbol P

    (i) For PTGs that are marked with compliance symbol P, on the 
PTG identification plate:
    (1) Replace it with a PTG that is eligible for installation, 
before accumulating 900 operating hours.
    (2) Thereafter, replace it with a PTG that is eligible for 
installation within every 900 operating hours TSN, TSO, or TSR.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Baitoo, 
Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (562) 627-5245; 
fax: (562) 627-5210; email: robert.baitoo@faa.gov.
    (2) Honeywell International Inc. Service Bulletin No. LTS101-73-
20-A0268, dated August 23, 2011, also pertains to this AD.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Honeywell International Inc., P.O. Box 52181, Phoenix, AZ 85072-
2181, phone: (800) 601-3099; Web site: http://portal.honeywell.com/wps/portal/aero.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 4, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-29229 Filed 11-10-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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