[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12414-12415]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4125]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 92-ANE-11; Amendment 39-9151; AD 95-03-15]


Airworthiness Directives; Textron Lycoming ALF502R Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Textron Lycoming ALF502R series turbofan engines, that 
reduces the service life for the No. 2 stage turbine disk, reduces the 
service lives for No. 1 and No. 3 through No. 7 stage compressor rotor 
disks, and requires a scheduled removal of these disks from service. 
This amendment is prompted by reports of cracks in disks returned from 
the field and in disks tested by the manufacturer. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent disk failure resulting in 
a possible uncontained engine failure.

DATES: Effective on May 8, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 8, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from AlliedSignal Engines, 550 Main Street, Stratford, CT 
06497. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eugene Triozzi, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617) 
238-7148, fax (617) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Textron Lycoming ALF502R series 
turbofan engines was published in the Federal Register on March 16, 
1993 (58 FR 14185). That action proposed to reduce the service life for 
the No. 2 stage turbine disk, reduce the service lives for No. 1 and 
No. 3 through No. 7 stage compressor rotor disks, and require a 
scheduled removal of these disks from service in accordance with 
Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin (SB) ALF502R 72-281, dated February 
7, 1992.
    The compliance section of this final rule has been revised to 
specify the reduced service lives for each affected disk, to clarify 
that the reduced service lives are the new life limits.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule with the changes described previously.
    On October 28, 1994, AlliedSignal Inc. purchased the turbine engine 
product line of Textron Lycoming, but as of this date the anticipated 
name change on the type certificate for the ALF502R series engines has 
not occurred.
    There are approximately 700 Textron Lycoming ALF502R series 
turbofan [[Page 12415]] engines of the affected design in the worldwide 
fleet. The FAA estimates that 200 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD. The required reduction in service 
life will cost $41,400 per engine based on the cost of a new disk 
prorated over the reduced service life as compared to the current 
service life. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,280,000.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a 
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air Transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

95-03-15  Textron Lycoming: Amendment 39-9151. Docket 92-ANE-11.

    Applicability: Textron Lycoming ALF502R series turbofan engines 
installed on but not limited to British Aerospace BAe-146 aircraft.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent No. 2 stage turbine disk, and No. 1 and No. 3 through 
No. 7 stage compressor rotor disk, failure resulting in possible 
uncontained engine failure, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove from service No. 2 stage turbine disks, P/Ns 2-121-
058-18, 2-121-058-20, and 2-121-058-R24, in accordance with the 
schedule defined in paragraph B(1) of Table 1 of Textron Lycoming 
Service Bulletin (SB) ALF502R 72-281, dated February 7, 1992, and 
replace with a disk with cycle accumulation no greater than the 
reduced service life limit of 10,000 cycles.
    (b) Remove from service No. 1 stage compressor rotor disks, P/N 
2-101-331-04, in accordance with paragraph A(1) of Table 1 of 
Textron Lycoming SB No. ALF502R 72-281, dated February 7, 1992, and 
replace with a disk with cycle accumulation no greater than the 
reduced service life limit of 12,500 cycles.
    (c) Remove from service No. 3 stage compressor rotor disks, P/Ns 
2-101-263-02, 2-101-263-05, 2-101-263-06, 2-101-263-09, and 2-101-
263-R10, in accordance with paragraph A(2) of Table 1 of Textron 
Lycoming SB No. ALF502R 72-281, dated February 7, 1992, and replace 
with a disk with cycle accumulation no greater than the reduced 
service life limit of 11,800 cycles.
    (d) Remove from service No. 4 stage compressor rotor disks, P/Ns 
2-100-042-03, 2-100-042-07, 2-100-042-09, and 2-100-042-R08, in 
accordance with paragraph A(3) of Table 1 of Textron Lycoming SB No. 
ALF502R 72-281, dated February 7, 1992, and replace with a disk with 
cycle accumulation no greater than the reduced service life limit of 
9,000 cycles.
    (e) Remove from service No. 5 stage compressor rotor disks, P/Ns 
2-100-043-01, 2-100-043-07, 2-100-043-09, and 2-100-043-R08, in 
accordance with paragraph A(4) of Table 1 of Textron Lycoming SB No. 
ALF502R 72-281, dated February 7, 1992, and replace with a disk with 
cycle accumulation no greater than the reduced service life limit of 
12,300 cycles.
    (f) Remove from service No. 6 stage compressor rotor disks, P/Ns 
2-100-044-01, 2-100-044-05, 2-100-044-07, and 2-100-044-R06, in 
accordance with paragraph A(5) of Table 1 of Textron Lycoming SB No. 
ALF502R 72-281, dated February 7, 1992, and replace with a disk with 
cycle accumulation no greater than the reduced service life limit of 
12,500 cycles.
    (g) Remove from service No. 7 stage compressor rotor disks, P/Ns 
2-100-045-01, 2-100-045-05, 2-100-045-07, and 2-100-045-R06, in 
accordance with paragraph A(6) of Table 1 of Textron Lycoming SB No. 
ALF502R 72-281, dated February 7, 1992, and replace with a disk with 
cycle accumulation no greater than the reduced service life limit of 
9,200 cycles.
    (h) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office. The 
request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Engine Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.

    (i) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following Textron Lycoming service bulletin:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Document No.                  Pages          Date       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALF502R 72-281.............................      1-5  Feb. 7, 1992.     
    Total pages............................        5                    
------------------------------------------------------------------------

This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Textron Lycoming, 550 Main Street, 
Stratford, CT 06497. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England 
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (j) This amendment becomes effective on May 8, 1995.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 8, 1995.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-4125 Filed 3-6-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P