This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

32591

Vol. 66, No. 116

Friday, June 15, 2001

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000–NE–34–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell

International, Inc., (Formerly

AlliedSignal, Inc., and Textron

Lycoming) T5311A, T5311B, T5313B,

T5317A, T5317B, T53–L–11, T53–L–

11A, T53–L–11B, T53–L–11C, T53–L–

11D, T53–L–11A S/SA, T53–L–13B,

T53–L–13B S/SA, T53–L–13B S/SB, and

T53–L–703 Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) proposes to adopt

a new airworthiness directive (AD) that

is applicable to Honeywell

International, Inc., (formerly

AlliedSignal, Inc., and Textron

Lycoming) T5311A, T5311B, T5313B,

T5317A, T5317B, and former military

T53–L–11, T53–L–11A, T53–L–11B,

T53–L–11C, T53–L–11D, T53–L–11A S/

SA, T53–L–13B, T53–L–13B S/SA, T53–

L–13B S/SB, and T53–L–703 series

turboshaft engines. This proposal would

require initial and repetitive special

vibration tests of the engine, and if

necessary replacement with a

serviceable reduction gearbox assembly,

or a serviceable engine before further

flight. This proposal is prompted by

reports of tachometer drive spur gear

failure, resulting in potential engine

overspeed, loss of power turbine speed

(N2) instrument panel indication, and

hard landings. The actions specified in

this AD are intended to prevent

excessive vibrations produced by the

reduction gearbox assembly that could

cause failure of the tachometer drive

spur gear.

DATES: Comments must be received by

August 14, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), New England

Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000–NE–

34–AD, 12 New England Executive Park,

Burlington, MA 01803–5299. Comments

may also be sent via the Internet using

the following address: 9-aneadcomment@faa.gov.’’ Comments sent

via the Internet must contain the docket

number in the subject line. Comments

may be inspected at this location

between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.,

Monday through Friday, except Federal

holidays. The service information

referenced in the proposed rule may be

obtained from Honeywell International,

Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc. and

Textron Lycoming), 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 FAA, New England

Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,

12 New England Executive Park,

Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert Baitoo, Aerospace Engineer, Los

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA

90712–4137; telephone: (562) 627–5245;

fax: (562) 627–5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to

participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such

written data, views, or arguments as

they may desire. Communications

should identify the Rules Docket

number and be submitted to the address

specified above. All communications

received on or before the closing date

for comments, specified above, will be

considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained

in this action may be changed in light

of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the proposed rule. All comments

submitted will be available, both before

and after the closing date for comments,

in the Rules Docket for examination by

interested persons. A report

summarizing each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this

proposal will be filed in the Rules

Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this action

must submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 2000–NE–34–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRM’s

Any person may obtain a copy of this

NPRM by submitting a request to the

FAA, New England Region, Office of the

Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 2000–NE–34–AD, 12 New

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA

01803–5299.

Discussion

The FAA has received reports of

tachometer drive spur gear failure,

resulting in potential engine overspeed,

loss of N2 instrument panel indication,

and hard landings. There have been

about 22 events on military aircraft, and

two events reported to date on civilian

aircraft. This condition, if not corrected,

could result in tachometer drive spur

gear failure, resulting in potential

engine overspeed, loss of N2 instrument

panel indication, and hard landings.

Manufacturer’s Service Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved

AlliedSignal, Inc. Service Bulletin (SB)

No.’’s T5311A/B–0100, dated January

20, 2000; T5313B/17–0100, dated

November 19, 1999; T53–L–11–0100,

dated January 20, 2000; T53–L–13B–

0100, Revision 2, dated May 11, 1999;

and T53–L–703–0100, Revision 2, dated

May 11, 1999. These SB’s describe

procedures for performing engine

special vibration tests.

FAA’s Determination of an Unsafe

Condition and Proposed Actions

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other Honeywell

International, Inc., (formerly

AlliedSignal, Inc., and Textron

Lycoming) T5311A, T5311B, T5313B,

T5317A, T5317B, and former military

T53–L–11, T53–L–11A, T53–L–11B,

T53–L–11C, T53–L–11D, T53–L–11A S/

SA, T53–L–13B, T53–L–13B S/SA, T53–

L–13B S/SB, and T53–L–703 turboshaft

engines of this same type design, the

proposed AD would require initial and

32592 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 116 / Friday, June 15, 2001 / Proposed Rules

repetitive special vibration tests of the

engine, and if necessary, replacement

with a serviceable reduction gearbox

assembly, or a serviceable engine before

further flight. The actions would be

required to be accomplished in

accordance with the service bulletins

described previously.

Economic Impact

There are about 4,500 engines of the

affected design in the worldwide fleet.

The FAA estimates that 300 engines

installed on aircraft of U.S. registry

would be affected by this proposed AD,

and that it would take about four work

hours per engine to accomplish each

special vibration test, and that the

average labor rate is $60 per work hour.

Based on these figures, for each special

vibration test, the total labor cost impact

on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$240 per engine. The FAA estimates

that operators, on average, will perform

ten special vibration tests per year,

resulting in a total annual cost on U.S.

operators of $720,000.

Regulatory Impact

This proposed rule does not have

federalism implications, as defined in

Executive Order 13132, because it

would 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.

Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted

with state authorities prior to

publication of this proposed rule.

For the reasons discussed above, I

certify that this proposed 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) if

promulgated, 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 copy of the draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this

action is contained in the Rules Docket.

A copy of it may be obtained by

contacting the Rules Docket at the

location provided under the caption

ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation

safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the

authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation

Administration proposes to amend 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

Honeywell International, Inc.: Docket No.

2000–NE–34–AD.

Applicability

This airworthiness directive (AD) is

applicable to Honeywell International, Inc.,

(formerly AlliedSignal, Inc., and Textron

Lycoming) T5311A, T5311B, T5313B,

T5317A, T5317B, and former military T53–

L–11, T53–L–11A, T53–L–11B, T53–L–11C,

T53–L–11D, T53–L–11A S/SA, T53–L–13B,

T53–L–13B S/SA, T53–L–13B S/SB, and

T53–L–703 turboshaft engines. These engines

are installed on, but not limited to Bell

Helicopter Textron 204, 205, and 209 series,

and Kaman K–1200 series helicopters, and

the following surplus military helicopters

that have been certified in accordance with

sections 21.25 or 21.27 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.25 or 21.27):

Bell Helicopter Textron manufactured AH–1,

HH–43, TH–1, UH–1 and SW–204/205 (UH–

1) series.

Note 1: This 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 (d) 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

Compliance with this AD is required as

indicated below, unless already done.

To prevent excessive vibrations produced

by the reduction gearbox assembly that could

cause failure of the tachometer drive spur

gear, do the following:

Initial and Repetitive Special Vibration

Tests.

(a) Perform an initial special vibration test

of the engine in accordance with the

applicable service bulletin (SB) listed in the

following table, within 100 flight hours after

the effective date of this AD.

ALLIEDSIGNAL SB’S FOR SPECIAL

VIBRATION TESTS

Engine SB’s

T5311A and T5311B T5311A/B–0100,

dated January 20,

2000.

T5313B, T5317A, and

T5317B.

T5313B/17–0100,

dated November

19, 1999.

T53–L–11, –11A,

–11B, –11C, –11D,

and –11A S/SA.

T53–L–11–0100,

dated January 20,

2000.

T53–L–13B, –13B S/

SA, and –13B S/SB.

T53–L–13B–0100,

Revision 2, dated

May 11,1999.

T53–L–703 ................ T53–L–703–0100,

Revision 2, dated

May 11, 1999.

(b) Perform repetitive special vibration

tests of the engine in accordance with the

applicable SB listed in the table of this AD,

as follows:

(1) For engines that have tachometer drive

spur gear part number (P/N) 1–070–062–04

installed, perform repetitive special vibration

tests within 500 flight hours since the last

special vibration test.

(2) For engines that have tachometer drive

spur gear P/N 1–070–062–06 installed,

perform repetitive special vibration tests

within 1,000 flight hours since the last

special vibration test.

Engines That Fail Special Vibration Tests

(c) For engines that fail a special vibration

test performed in accordance with paragraph

(a) or (b) of this AD, do EITHER of the

following:

(1) Replace the gearbox assembly with a

serviceable reduction gearbox assembly, and

before further flight perform an initial special

vibration test as specified in paragraph (a) of

this AD. OR

(2) Replace the engine with a serviceable

engine, and before further flight perform an

initial special vibration test as specified in

paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(d) 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 (ACO).

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 ACO.

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

ACO.

Special Flight Permits

(e) 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 special vibration tests

and engine replacement requirements of this

AD can be accomplished.

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 116 / Friday, June 15, 2001 / Proposed Rules 32593

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on

June 1, 2001.

Francis A. Favara,

Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–15091 Filed 6–14–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 01–ANM–05]

Proposed Modification of Class E

Airspace, Sidney, MT

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This action proposes to

modify the Class E airspace at Sidney,

MT. Newly developed Area Navigation

(RNAV) approaches at the SidneyRichland Municipal Airport has made

this proposal necessary. Additional

Class E 1,200 feet controlled airspace,

above the surface of the earth is required

to contain aircraft executing the RNAV

(Global Positioning System (GPS)) RWY

1 and RNAV (GPS) RWY 19 at SidneyRichland Municipal Airport. The

intended effect of this proposal is to

provide adequate controlled airspace for

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations

at Sidney-Richland Municipal Airport,

Sidney, MT.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before July 30, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the

proposal in triplicate to: Manager,

Airspace Branch, ANM–520, Federal

Aviation Administration, Docket No.

01–ANM–05, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

An informal docket may also be

examined during normal business hours

in the office of the Manager, Air Traffic

Division, Airspace Branch, at the

address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brian Durham, ANM–520.7, Federal

Aviation Administration, Docket No.

01–ANM–05, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056;

telephone number: (425) 227–2527.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested parties are invited to

participate in this proposed rulemaking

by submitting such written data, views,

or arguments, as they may desire.

Comments that provide the factual basis

supporting the views and suggestions

presented are particularly helpful in

developing reasoned regulatory

decisions on the proposal. Comments

are specifically invited on the overall

regulatory, aeronautical, economic,

environmental, and energy related

aspects of the proposal.

Communications should identify the

airspace docket number and be

submitted in triplicate to the address

listed above. Commenters wishing the

FAA to acknowledge receipt of their

comments on this action must submit,

with those comments, a self-addressed

stamped postcard on which the

following statement is made:

‘‘Comments to Airspace Docket No. 01–

ANM–05.’’ The postcard will be date/

time stamped and returned to the

commenter. All communications

received on or before the specified

closing date for comments will be

considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposal contained

in this action may be changed in the

light of comments received. All

comments submitted will be available

for examination at the address listed

above both before and after the closing

date for comments. A report

summarizing each substantive public

contact with FAA personnel concerned

with this rulemaking will be filed in the

docket.

Availability of NPRM’s

Any person may obtain a copy of this

NPRM by submitting a request to the

Federal Aviation Administration,

Airspace Branch, ANM–520, 1601 Lind

Avenue SW., Renton, Washington

98055–4056. Communications must

identify the docket number of this

NPRM. Persons interested in being

placed on a mailing list for future

NPRM’s should also request a copy of

Advisory Circular No. 11–2A, which

describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

The FAA is considering an

amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal

Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR part 71) by

modifying Class E airspace at Sidney,

MT. Newly developed Area Navigation

(RNAV) approaches at the SidneyRichland Municipal Airport has made

this proposal necessary. Additional

Class E 1,200 feet controlled airspace,

above the surface of the earth is required

to contain aircraft executing the RNAV

(GPS) RW 1 and RNAV (GPS) RWY 19,

at Sidney-Richland Municipal Airport,

has made this proposal necessary. The

FAA establishes Class E airspace where

necessary to contain aircraft

transitioning between the terminal and

en route environments. The intended

effect of this proposal is designed to

provide for the safe and efficient use of

the navigable airspace. This proposal

would promote safe flight operations

under IFR at the Sidney-Richland

Municipal Airport and between the

terminal and en route transition stages.

The area would be depicted on

aeronautical charts for pilot reference.

The coordinates for this airspace docket

are based on North American Datum 83.

Class E airspace areas extending upward

from 700 feet or more above the surface

of the earth, are published in Paragraph

6005, of FAA Order 7400.9H dated

September 1, 2000, and effective

September 16, 2000, which is

incorporated by reference in 14 CFR

71.1. The Class E airspace designation

listed in this document would be

published subsequently in the Order.

The FAA has determined that this

proposed regulation only involves an

established body of technical

regulations for which frequent and

routine amendments are necessary to

keep them operationally current. It,

therefore, (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 11013; February

26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant

preparation of a Regulatory Evaluation

as the anticipated impact is so minimal.

Since this is a routine matter that will

only affect air traffic procedures and air

navigation, it is certified that this rule,

when promulgated, will not have a

significant economic impact on a

substantial number of small entities

under the criteria of the Regulatory

Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

Airspace, Incorporation by reference,

Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the

Federal Aviation Administration

proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as

follows:

PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A,

CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND

CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS;

AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING

POINTS

1. The authority citation for 14 CFR

part 71 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113,

40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959–

1963 Comp., p. 389.

§ 71.1 [Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in

14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal Aviation

Administration Order 7400.9H,