28763 Rules and Regulations Federal Register Vol. 83, No. 120 Thursday, June 21, 2018 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER information on the availability of this Comments contains regulatory documents having general material at the FAA, call 781–238–7759. applicability and legal effect, most of which We gave the public the opportunity to It is also available on the internet at participate in developing this final rule. are keyed to and codified in the Code of http://www.regulations.gov by searching Federal Regulations, which is published under The following presents the comments 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510. for and locating Docket No. FAA–2016– received on the NPRM and the FAA’s 9450. response to each comment. The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. Examining the AD Docket Request To Revise Compliance Time for Resampling You may examine the AD docket on The National Agricultural Aviation DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION the internet at http:// www.regulations.gov by searching for Association (NAAA) commented that Federal Aviation Administration and locating Docket No. FAA–2016– additional compliance time may be 9450; or in person at Docket Operations required for oil filter analysis 14 CFR Part 39 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday resampling beyond the 25 hours time- in-service proposed by the NPRM. The [Docket No. FAA–2016–9450; Product through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, NAAA noted that the engine may re- Identifier 2016–NE–25–AD; Amendment 39– enter service after oil sampling. the regulatory evaluation, any 19317; AD 2018–13–05] Therefore, the 25 hours time-in-service comments received, and other RIN 2120–AA64 may be exceeded prior to the operators information. The address for the Docket receiving notification from the Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell Operations (phone: 800–647–5527) is laboratory that performed the oil filter International Inc. Turboprop and Docket Operations, U.S. Department of analysis. Turboshaft Engines Transportation, Docket Operations, We agree that the proposed M–30, West Building Ground Floor, compliance time may have resulted in AGENCY: Federal Aviation Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey operators exceeding the 25 hours time- Administration (FAA), DOT. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. in-service before receiving the results of ACTION: Final rule. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the oil filter analysis. We, therefore, SUMMARY: We are adopting a new Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los revised the requirement time for airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 resampling in this AD to 25 hours time Honeywell International Inc. Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712– in service after receiving notification (Honeywell) TPE331 turboprop and 4137; phone: 562–627–5246; fax: 562– from the accredited laboratory TSE331 turboshaft engines. This AD 627–5210; email: [email protected]. performing the oil filter analysis. We was prompted by recent reports of determined that allowing this additional failures of the direct drive fuel control SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: time in service will improve the quality of the sample. We also clarified that if gears and bearings in the hydraulic Discussion torque sensor gear assembly, part an inspection or resample is required, number (P/N) 3101726–3. This AD We issued a notice of proposed then the inspection must occur within requires initial and repetitive engine oil rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 5 days after receiving notification from filter sampling and analysis of the part 39 by adding an AD that would the laboratory that performed the oil affected engines and inspections of apply to certain Honeywell filter analysis. certain hydraulic torque sensor gear International Inc. TPE331 turboprop and Request To Revise Compliance Time for assemblies. We are issuing this AD to TSE331 turboshaft engines. The NPRM Initial Sample address the unsafe condition on these published in the Federal Register on Honeywell requested that we increase products. September 13, 2017 (82 FR 42957). The the compliance time for obtaining an oil DATES: This AD is effective July 26, NPRM was prompted by recent reports filter sample from 150 to 200 hours. 2018. of failures of the direct drive fuel Honeywell commented that Honeywell The Director of the Federal Register control gears and bearings in the Service Bulletin (SB) TPE331–72–0180 approved the incorporation by reference hydraulic torque sensor gear assembly, indicates a 200-hours compliance time of a certain publication listed in this AD P/N 3101726–3. The NPRM proposed to for TPE331–10 operators with at least as of July 26, 2018. require initial and repetitive engine oil 800 operating hours per year. ADDRESSES: For service information filter sampling and analysis of the Honeywell noted that this compliance identified in this final rule, contact affected engines. The NPRM also time coincides with scheduled Honeywell International Inc., 111 S 34th proposed to require inspection of the maintenance intervals for operators. Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034–2802; phone: hydraulic torque sensor gear assemblies We disagree. We are attempting to 800–601–3099; internet: https:// that do not meet oil filter inspection detect impending torque sensor failures myaerospace.honeywell.com/wps/ requirements and improved component using set response times and reduced oil portal. You may view this service overhaul procedures that would remove filter sampling and analysis intervals. information at the FAA, Engine and from service, by attrition, certain P/N We find, therefore, that the 150-hour Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and hydraulic torque sensor gear assemblies. compliance time meets the safety Innovation Division, 1200 District We are issuing this AD to address the objectives of this AD. Further, we did Avenue, Burlington, MA. For unsafe condition on these products. not receive any comments from part 121 VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:07 Jun 20, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\21JNR1.SGM 21JNR1 pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES 28764 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 120 / Thursday, June 21, 2018 / Rules and Regulations or part 135 operators indicating a Request To Update Service Information SIL describes procedures for conducting concern with the inspection interval of Honeywell requested that we revise the spectrometric oil and filter analysis 150 hours. We did not change this AD. our reference to the service bulletin to program to sample and analyze metal refer to the latest revision. particles in the engine lubricating Request To Revise Number of system. This service information is Resampling Tests We agree. We updated the reference in the Other Related Service Information reasonably available because the NAAA and Copperstate Turbine paragraph in this AD to Revision 38 of interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business Engine Company commented that a Honeywell SB TPE331–72–0180. or by the means identified in the single resampling allowance that may Request To Clarify Differences ADDRESSES section. lead to a gearbox inspection is too Paragraph stringent. They indicated that oil filter Other Related Service Information Honeywell requested that we clarify resampling experience has shown that We reviewed the improved multiple resampling tests may be the ‘‘Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information’’ procedures and limitations in the necessary. NAAA commented that the section in the NPRM. Honeywell Torque Sensor Gear source of the contamination may not We disagree. The referenced Assembly Overhaul Manual with always be the material caused by the paragraph does not exist in the final rule Illustrated Parts List, 72–00–17, torque sensor failure. In this situation, and the compliance requirements were Revision 10, dated October 31, 2013, for NAAA indicated that another clearly defined in the NPRM. We did the TPE331 and TSE331 torque sensor resampling, without the inspection, may not change this AD. gear assemblies. We also reviewed be warranted. NAAA commented that Honeywell’s TPE331 Line Maintenance the sample analysis should guide Conclusion Training Manual which provides maintenance personnel in the proper We reviewed the relevant data, guidance for obtaining oil filter samples. direction without having to tear down considered the comments received, and In addition, we reviewed Honeywell an engine unnecessarily. determined that air safety and the SBs TPE331–72–0402, Revision 6, dated We partially agree. We agree that public interest require adopting this November 26, 1997; TPE331–72–0403, some wear elements, such as silver and final rule with the changes described Revision 5, dated January 20, 1989; aluminum, found during the initial oil previously and minor editorial changes. TPE331–72–0404, Revision 8, dated September 13, 2016; TPE331–72–0823, filter analysis could permit more than We have determined that these minor Revision 3, dated September 13, 1996; one resampling before a required changes: • TSE331–72–5003, Revision 3, dated gearbox inspection. We also agree Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for January 20, 1989; and TPE331–72–0180, because these elements or alloys may correcting the unsafe condition; and Revision 38, dated August 15, 2017. The not cause accelerated wear and possible • Do not add any additional burden SBs address the inspection intervals for failure of the torque sensor assembly. upon the public than was already the oil and filter analysis for the affected We disagree with changing the AD proposed in the NPRM. TPE331 and TSE331 engines. because the commenters have not We also determined that these Costs of Compliance produced evidence that the presence of changes will not increase the economic certain elements may not contribute to burden on any operator or increase the We estimate that this AD affects 3,831 the failure of the torque sensor. We will scope of this final rule. engines installed on airplanes of U.S. consider AMOC requests to allow registry.