2023-12417

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: • the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document • the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to • the agency docket number / agency internal file number • the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration • 14 CFR Part 39 • [Docket No. FAA-2022-0891; Project Identifier AD-2022-00585-A,E,R; Amendment 39-22432; AD 2023-09-09] • RIN 2120-AA64 ( printed page 37975) AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for turbocharged, reciprocating engine-powered airplanes and helicopters and turbocharged, reciprocating engines with a certain v-band coupling installed. This AD was prompted by multiple failures of spot-welded, multi-segment v-band couplings at the tailpipe to the turbocharger exhaust housing flange (also referred to as “spot-welded, multi-segment exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling”). This AD establishes a life limit for the spot-welded, multi-segment exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling and requires repetitively inspecting the spot-welded, multi-segment exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective July 17, 2023. ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0891; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Teplik, Aviation Safety Engineer, Central Certification Branch, FAA, 1801 S Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946-4196; email: thomas.teplik@faa.gov or Wichita-COS@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to turbocharged, reciprocating engine-powered airplanes and helicopters and turbocharged, reciprocating engines with a certain v-band coupling installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 27, 2022 (87 FR 45036). The NPRM was prompted by multiple failures of spot-welded, multi-segment v-band couplings at the tailpipe to the turbocharger exhaust housing flange. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to establish a life limit for the spot-welded, multi-segment exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling and require repetitively inspecting the spot-welded, multi-segment exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling. Since the mid-1970s, failures of v-band couplings that attach the exhaust tailpipe to the turbocharger exhaust outlet have resulted in a significant number of incidents and accidents (fatal and non-fatal) on both airplanes and helicopters. Since 1974, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident and incident investigations have led to the issuance of 7 NTSB Safety Recommendations concerning exhaust systems and/or exhaust v-band couplings; 20 FAA ADs to address the unsafe condition with exhaust systems and/or exhaust v-band couplings; and 10 FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins (SAIBs). Industry has also taken action to raise awareness of the concerns associated with v-…

Fonte: Federal Register (federalregister.gov). Texto original em inglês. Conteúdo sanitizado por segurança.