[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 69 (Monday, April 13, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16807-16809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8309]
[[Page 16807]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0331; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-40-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. TFE731
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. TFE731 series turbofan engines with
certain second and third stage low-pressure compressor rotor (LPCR)
discs installed. This proposed AD would require removing from service,
certain second and third stage LPCR discs, part numbers (P/Ns) 3072396-
1, 3072397-1, 3075109-1, or 2075192-1. This proposed AD results from a
report of cracks found during a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI)
of the disc bore. We are proposing this AD to prevent an uncontained
failure of a second and third stage LPCR disc due to cracks in the
bore, which could result in damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by June 12,
2009.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the 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 Engines and Systems Technical Publications and
Distribution, M/S 2101-201, P.O. Box 52170, Phoenix, AZ 85072-2170,
telephone: Global Customer Care toll free (800) 601-3099; International
callers (602) 365-3099.
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:
[email protected]; 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-2009-0331; Directorate
Identifier 2008-NE-40-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. Using the search
function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any
of our dockets, including, if provided, the name of the individual who
sent the comment (or signed the comment 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
A routine FPI of a second stage LPCR disc, P/N 3072396-1, revealed
three indications in the disc bore. The LPCR disc had accumulated 6,874
cycles-since-new (CSN). All three indications were determined to be
cracks initiating from a titanium hard-alpha inclusion incurred during
the alloy melting process. Oremet Corporation produced the heat lot,
which was part of Heat No. WRT2053, in January 1982. We have determined
that other second and third stage LPCR discs made from the same heat
lot might also contain similar inclusions that could adversely affect
the lives of those LPCR discs. Based on billet stacking and billet
orientation, six discs were determined to be adjacent or near the
cracked disc. We propose more expedient corrective action for these
higher-risk discs than other LPCR discs made from the same heat lot.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in an uncontained
failure of a second and third stage LPCR disc due to cracks in the
bore, which could result in damage to the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Honeywell
International Inc. Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs) TFE731-72-A3748,
dated August 21, 2008, and TFE731-72-A3749, dated August 21, 2008.
Those ASBs describe procedures for removing certain second and third
stage LPCR discs specified by serial number (SN) in the ASBs.
Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Manufacturer's Service
Information
Alert Service Bulletins TFE731-72-A3748, dated August 21, 2008, and
TFE731-72-A3749, dated August 21, 2008, require removing at the next
access, second and third stage LPCR discs that have an SN specified in
Table 5 or Table 6 of those ASBs. This proposed AD would require
removing those discs that have an SN specified in Table 5 within 100
cycles-in-service (CIS) after the effective date of the proposed AD or
at the next access, whichever occurs first. This proposed AD would
require removing those discs that have an SN specified in Table 6
within 2,000 CIS after the effective date of the proposed AD or at the
next access, whichever occurs first.
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 from service engines with LPCR discs that have SN:
In Table 5 of ASBs TFE731-72-A3748, dated August 21, 2008,
or TFE731-72-A3749, dated August 21, 2008, within 100 CIS after the
effective date of this proposed AD, and
[[Page 16808]]
In Table 6 of ASBs TFE731-72-A3748, dated August 21, 2008,
or TFE731-72-A3749, dated August 21, 2008, within 2,000 CIS or the next
access after the effective date of this proposed AD, whichever occurs
first.
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 27 engines installed
on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take
about 4 work-hours per engine to perform the proposed actions during
scheduled maintenance and 140 work-hours per engine for the proposed
actions during unscheduled maintenance. The average labor rate is $80
per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $31,000 per engine.
Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD
to U.S. operators to be $900,000.
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 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, Incorporation by
reference, 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:
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., formerly
Garret Turbine Engine Company): Docket No. FAA-2009-0331;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-40-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive comments
on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by June 12, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Honeywell International Inc. TFE731-2,
TFE731-2A, TFE731-2C, TFE731-3, TFE731-3A, TFE731-3AR, TFE731-3B,
TFE731-3BR, TFE731-3C, TFE731-3CR, TFE731-3D, TFE731-3DR, TFE731-3R,
TFE731-4, TFE731-4R, TFE731-5, TFE731-5AR, TFE731-5BR, and TFE731-5R
series turbofan engines with certain low-pressure compressor rotor
(LPCR) discs, part number (P/Ns) 3072396-1, 3072397-1, 3075190-1, or
2075192-1, installed. These engines are installed on, but not limited
to, the airplanes listed in Table 1 of this AD.
Table 1--Installed on Airplanes by Manufacturer
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Manufacturer Model
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Dassault-Aviation or Dassault Aviation. Falcon 10 (Falcon 100) and
Mystere-Falcon 20, 50, 900 and
MF900 series.
Cessna Aircraft Company................ Model 650, Citation III, VI,
and VII.
Gulfstream Aerospace LP................ 1125 Westwind Astra.
Israel Aircraft Industries............. 1124 and 1124A (Westwind).
Learjet Inc............................ 31, 31A, 35, 35A, 36, 36A, 55,
55B, 55C, and M31.
Lockheed Martin Corporation (formerly 1329-23A, 1329-23D, 1329-23E,
Lockheed-Georgia). and 1329-25.
Raytheon Corporate Jets (formerly DH.125 Series 1A, 3A, and 3A/
British Aerospace and Hawker RA, HS.125 Series F3B and F3B/
Beechcraft Corporation). RA, BH.125 and DH.125 Series
400A, HS.125 Series 403B,
F400B, and F403B, HS.125
Series 600A, BH.125 Series
600A, HS.125 Series F600B,
700A, and 700B, BAe.125 Series
800 and 1000, and Hawker 800
and 850XP series.
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Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report of cracks found during a
fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the disc bore. We are issuing
this AD to prevent an uncontained failure of a second and third stage
LPCR disc due to cracks in the bore, which could result in damage to
the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD
performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions have
already been done.
[[Page 16809]]
Removing LPCR Discs from Service
(f) For engines with a second and third stage LPCR disc that has a
serial number (SN) listed in Table 5 of Honeywell International Inc.
Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs) TFE731-72-A3748, dated August 21, 2008,
or TFE731-72-A3749, dated August 21, 2008, remove the second and third
stage LPCR disc from service within 100 cycles-in-service (CIS) after
the effective date of this AD.
(g) For engines with a second and third stage LPCR disc that has an
SN listed in Table 6 of Honeywell International Inc. ASBs TFE731-72-
A3748, dated August 21, 2008, or TFE731-72-A3749, dated August 21,
2008, do the earlier of the following:
(1) Remove the second and third stage LPCR disc from service within
2,000 CIS after the effective date of this AD, or
(2) Remove the second and third stage LPCR disc from service the
next time the intermediate case is removed from the LPC case.
Installation Prohibition
(h) After the effective date of this AD, don't install any second
and third stage LPCR disc removed as required in paragraphs (f) or (g)
of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(i) 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
(j) Contact Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; e-mail: [email protected];
telephone: (562) 627-5246; fax: (562) 627-5210, for more information
about this AD.
(k) Honeywell International Inc. ASBs TFE731-72-A3748, dated August
21, 2008, and TFE731-72-A3749, dated August 21, 2008, pertain to the
subject of this AD. Contact Honeywell Engines and Systems Technical
Publications and Distribution, M/S 2101-201, P.O. Box 52170, Phoenix,
AZ 85072-2170, telephone: Global Customer Care toll free (800) 601-
3099; International callers (602) 365-3099, for a copy of this service
information.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 6, 2009.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-8309 Filed 4-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P