The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to Honeywell International Inc. T5311A, T5311B, T5313B, T5317A, T5317A-1, and T5317B series turboshaft engines and Lycoming former military T53-L-11B, T53-L-11D, T53-L-13B, T53-L-13B/D, and T53-L-703 series turboshaft engines. We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on December 28, 2005 (70 FR 77073). That action proposed to require initial and repetitive visual and dimensional inspections of fuel control regulator assembly main and secondary drive shaft and pump gear splines, installed in certain fuel control regulator assemblies. That action also proposed to expand the engine applicability, and include certain engines installed on helicopters certified under Sec. 21.25 or 21.27 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR 21.25 or 14 CFR 21.27).
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 one comment received.
The commenter, Honeywell International Inc., states that they issued or revised three service bulletins in response to the unsafe condition in the proposed AD. We note that they have issued the service bulletins. We did not change the AD based on this comment.
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 as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 592 engines installed on helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 8 workhours per engine to perform an inspection, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based onthese figures, we estimate the cost of the AD to U.S. operators for one inspection to be $307,840. A replacement fuel control regulator pump assembly will cost about $18,000. We estimate that if all affected fuel control regulator pump assemblies failed inspection and had to be replaced, the total parts cost of the AD to U.S. operators will be $10,656,000.
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 Administratorfinds 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. 98-ANE-72-AD" in your request.
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 Federal Aviation Administration amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-10926 (63 FR 66741, December 3, 1998) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, Amendment 39-14620, to read as follows: