[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 213 (Tuesday, November 4, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59565-59566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29114]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-268-AD; Amendment 39-10190; AD 97-23-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727-100 Series Airplanes
Modified in Accordance With Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
SA8472SW
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to certain Boeing Model 727-100 series airplanes. This
action requires a revision to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to
prohibit stabilized operation between 60 and 75 percent N1 speed during
ground operations in reverse or forward thrust. This amendment is
prompted by a report that, during preparation for takeoff, a transport
category airplane equipped with Rolls-Royce Tay 650-15 engines
sustained an engine fan blade failure, followed by an engine fire. The
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent uncontained
failure of engine fan blades due to high cycle fatigue cracking, which
could result in loss of thrust from the affected engine and secondary
damage to the airplane and/or fire.
DATES: Effective November 19, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of November 19, 1997.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before January 5, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-268-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Supplement referenced in this AD
may be obtained from the Dee Howard Company, P.O. Box 469001, San
Antonio, Texas 78246. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register,
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Filler, Flight Test Pilot,
Airplane Certification Office, ASW-150, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate,
2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas, 76137-4298; telephone (817)
222-5132; fax (817) 222-5960.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD), which is
the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, recently notified the
FAA that it received a report indicating that, during preparation for
takeoff, a Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplane equipped with
Rolls-Royce Tay 650-15 engines sustained an engine fan blade failure,
followed by an engine fire.
Investigation revealed that five fan blades failed at the root
area, three fan blades failed at mid-height, and the remainder were
damaged severely. Further investigation revealed that all five fan
blades failed due to rapid high cycle fatigue cracking with low cycle
fatigue cracking origin. Evidence of rapid high cycle fatigue cracking
indicates that an operational effect is causing high vibratory
stresses. Rolls-Royce considers that the high cycle fatigue cracking
was caused by vibration during previous thrust reverser applications.
Upon further investigation, the FAA has determined that Boeing
727QF airplanes have engine installation and service records that are
similar to Fokker Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes. Boeing 727QF
airplanes are Boeing Model 727-100 airplanes that have been modified in
accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA8472SW, which
includes the installation of Rolls-Royce Tay 651-54 engines.
The FAA has evaluated these findings and has determined that high-
cycle fatigue cracking of the engine fan blades could cause uncontained
failure of the engine fan blades. Such fatigue cracking, if not
corrected, could result in loss of thrust from the affected engine and
secondary damage to the airplane and/or fire.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Dee Howard Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) Supplement CR102-F-066, Change 19, dated October 2, 1997 (for
Boeing 727QF airplanes), which prohibits stabilized operation between
60 and 75 percent N1 speed during ground operations in reverse or
forward thrust. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service
document is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe
condition.
Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Boeing Model 727-100 series airplanes of this
same type design registered in the United States, this AD is issued to
require a revision to the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved AFM
to prohibit stabilized operation between 60 and 75 percent N1 speed
during ground operations in reverse or forward thrust.
These actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with
the document described previously.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
[[Page 59566]]
Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 97-NM-268-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
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.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, 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.
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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
97-23-02 Boeing: Amendment 39-10190. Docket 97-NM-268-AD.
Applicability: Model 727-100 series airplanes modified in
accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA8472SW, which
includes installation of Rolls-Royce Tay 651-54 engines;
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes 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 uncontained failure of engine fan blades due to high
cycle fatigue cracking, which could result in loss of thrust from
the affected engine and secondary damage to the airplane and/or
fire, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 72 hours after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) by inserting a copy of Dee Howard Airplane AFM Supplement
CR102-F-066, Change 19, dated October 2, 1997, in the AFM.
(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, Airplane Certification Office, ASW-
150, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Airplane
Certification Office, ASW-150.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Airplane Certification Office, ASW-150.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) The AFM revision shall be done in accordance with Dee Howard
Airplane Flight Manual Supplement CR102-F-066, Change 19, dated
October 2, 1997 (for Boeing 727QF airplanes), which contains the
following list of effective pages.
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Revision level
Page number shown on page Date shown on page
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Title Page...................... 19................ November 25, 1992.
1-1, 1-3, 3-4, 3-15, 4-61....... Not Shown......... October 2, 1997.
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The 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 the Dee Howard Company, P.O.
Box 469001, San Antonio, Texas 78246. Copies may be inspected at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 19, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 29, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-29114 Filed 11-3-97; 8:45 am]
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