[Federal Register: October 5, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 193)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 56945-56947]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05oc07-23]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-29092; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-30-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. ATF3-6 and
ATF3-6A Series Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for Honeywell International Inc. ATF3-6 and ATF3-6A series turbofan
engines equipped with a certain part number (P/N) low pressure
compressor (LPC) aft shaft. This proposed AD would require removing
from service those LPC aft shafts and installing a serviceable LPC aft
shaft. This proposed AD results from reports of eight LPC aft shafts
found cracked during fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI). We are
proposing this AD to prevent uncoupling and overspeed of the low
pressure turbine, which could result in uncontained engine failure and
damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by December 4,
2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from Honeywell International Inc., 111 S. 34th St., Phoenix, AZ 85034-
2802; Web
[[Page 56946]]
site: http://portal.honeywell.com/wps/portal/aero; telephone (800) 601-
3099.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; e-mail:
joseph.costa@faa.gov; telephone: (562) 627-5246; fax: (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send us any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-29092;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-30-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Anyone is able to
search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our
dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or
signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.) You may review the DOT's complete Privacy
Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65
FR 19477-78).
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
the same as the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
Discussion
During routine fluorescent penetrant inspection of P/N 3002070-1
LPC aft shafts, eight LPC aft shafts were found with cracks in the root
radii of the curvic teeth. Five of eight cracked aft shafts were found
to have fillet root radii of the curvic teeth below the manufacturing
minimum limit. We have determined that curvic teeth machined to a small
root radii increases local stresses and contributes to cracking. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in uncoupling and overspeed
of the low pressure turbine, uncontained engine failure, and damage to
the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Honeywell
International Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. ATF3-72-6240, Revision 1,
dated May 14, 2007, that describes procedures for removing P/N 3002070-
1 LPC aft shafts from service and installing a serviceable LPC aft
shaft.
Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Manufacturer's Service
Information
The compliance schedule in this proposed AD differs from the SB
compliance schedule by improving format, by removing the hourly and
calendar ``at access'' compliance time requirements, and by relaxing
the compliance schedule.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products
of this same type design. We are proposing this AD, which would require
removing LPC aft shafts, P/N 3002070-1 from service and installing a
serviceable LPC aft shaft. The proposed AD would require you to use the
service information described previously to perform these actions.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 32 ATF3-6 and ATF3-
6A series turbofan engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We
also estimate that it would take about 40 work-hours per engine to
perform the proposed actions if unscheduled, 20 work-hours per engine
if during scheduled major periodic inspection (MPI), and 1 work-hour
per engine during scheduled core zone inspection (CZI). We estimate
that 4 engines would be unscheduled, 14 engines would be scheduled at
MPI, and 14 engines would be scheduled at CZI. The average labor rate
is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $15,000 per
engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the
proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $516,320.
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 Administrator
finds 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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Would 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. You may get a copy of this summary at the
address listed under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the
Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as
follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
[[Page 56947]]
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Honeywell International Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal Inc. and Garrett
Turbine Engine Co.): Docket No. FAA-2007-29092; Directorate
Identifier 2007-NE-30-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by December 4,
2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Honeywell International Inc. ATF3-6-4C,
ATF3-6A-3C, and ATF3-6A-4C turbofan engines equipped with part
number (P/N) 3002070-1 low pressure compressor (LPC) aft shaft.
These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Dassault
Aviation Fan Jet Falcon Series G (Falcon 20G/HU25), and Dassault
Aviation Mystere-Falcon 200 airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of eight LPC aft shafts found
cracked during fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI). We are
issuing this AD to prevent uncoupling and overspeed of the low
pressure turbine, which could result in uncontained engine failure
and damage to the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified in Table 1 and
Table 2 of this AD, unless the actions have already been done.
Table 1.--ATF3-6A-4C Turbofan Engines, LPC Aft Shaft Replacement Compliance Schedule
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For ATF3-6A-4C turbofan engines, if the cycles-since-new (CSN) on
the effective date of this AD are: Then replace the LPC aft shaft:
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(1) 6,500 or more CSN............................................ Within an additional 100 cycles-in-service
(CIS).
(2) 5,000 to 6,499 CSN........................................... Within an additional 800 CIS, but not more
than 6,600 CSN, whichever occurs first.
(3) 4,000 to 4,999 CSN........................................... Within an additional 1,500 CIS, but not more
than 5,800 CSN, whichever occurs first.
(4) Fewer than 4,000 CSN......................................... Within an additional 2,000 CIS, but not more
than 5,500 CSN, whichever occurs first.
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Table 2.--ATF3-6-4C and ATF3-6A-3C Turbofan Engines, LPC Aft Shaft Replacement Compliance Schedule
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For ATF3-6-4C and ATF3-6A-3C turbofan engines, if the CSN on the
effective date of this AD are: Then replace the LPC aft shaft:
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(1) 4,400 or more CSN............................................ Within an additional 100 CIS.
(2) 3,600 to 4,399 CSN........................................... Within an additional 500 CIS, but not more
than 4,500 CSN, whichever occurs first.
(3) 3,300 to 3,599 CSN........................................... Within an additional 700 CIS, but not more
than 4,100 CSN, whichever occurs first.
(4) Fewer than 3,300 CSN......................................... Within an additional 1,000 CIS, but not more
than 4,000 CSN, whichever occurs first.
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LPC Aft Shaft Replacement
(f) Using the compliance schedule in Table 1 or Table 2 of this
AD as applicable, remove the LPC aft shaft P/N 3002070-1, from
service, and install a serviceable LPC aft shaft.
Definition
(g) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable LPC aft shaft is
an aft shaft with a P/N not referenced in this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(h) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, has
the authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this
AD if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(i) Honeywell International Inc. Service Bulletin No. ATF3-72-
6240, Revision 1, dated May 14, 2007, pertains to the subject of
this AD.
(j) Contact Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; e-mail:
joseph.costa@faa.gov; telephone: (562) 627-5246; fax: (562) 627-
5210.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 1, 2007.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-19684 Filed 10-4-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P