Summary
This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Rolls-Royce Corporation (formerly Allison Engine Company) 250-C18 and C-20 series turboshaft engines. That action would have required a one-time visual inspection of the fuel nozzle screen for contamination. If contamination is found, the proposal would have required, prior to further flight, replacement of the fuel nozzle screen with a serviceable screen, visual inspection of the entire fuel system for contamination, and repair, if necessary. In addition, this proposal would have required reporting the results of the one-time inspection to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to determine if repetitive inspections should be required by further rulemaking. This proposal was prompted by a report of fuel system contamination that caused an in-flight engine shutdown, autorotation, and forced landing. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the FAA and Rolls-Royce have determined that there have been no additional engine problems reported due to fuel nozzle screen contamination. Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn.