[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 41 (Thursday, February 29, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7692-7694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4242]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-ANE-56; Amendment 39-9513; AD 96-04-02]


Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc., ALF502L Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Textron Lycoming) ALF502L 
series turbofan engines, that establishes reduced retirement life 
limits for stage 1 and stage 3-7 compressors disks, and stage 2 turbine 
disks, and provides a drawdown schedule for disks already beyond the 
reduced retirement life limits. This amendment is prompted by new life 
analyses of these components. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent disk failure, which could result in an inflight 
engine shutdown and extensive engine damage.

DATES: Effective April 29, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from AlliedSignal Engines, 111 South 34th Street, Phoenix, AZ 
85072; telephone (602) 365-2493, fax (602) 365-2210. This information 
may be examined at the Federal Aviation 

[[Page 7693]]
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 AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly 
Textron Lycoming) ALF502L series turbofan engines was published in the 
Federal Register on February 28, 1995 (60 FR 10811). That action 
proposed to establish reduced retirement life limits for stage 1 and 
stage 3-7 compressors disks, and stage 2 turbine disks, and provide a 
drawdown schedule for disks already beyond the reduced retirement life 
limits. These actions must be performed in accordance with AlliedSignal 
Engines Service Bulletin (SB) No. ALF 502 72-0004, Revision 12, dated 
November 30, 1994, that describes reduced retirement lives for affected 
components; and AlliedSignal Engines SB No. ALF502L 72-281, dated 
November 30, 1994, that describes a drawdown schedule for disks already 
beyond the reduced retirement 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 as proposed.
    There are approximately 184 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 50 engines installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, and that the 
prorated reduced service life cost based on the cost of a new disk is 
approximately $16,400 per engine. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $820,000.
    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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

94-04-02 AlliedSignal Inc.: Amendment 39-9513. Docket 94- ANE-56.

    Applicability: AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Textron Lycoming) 
ALF502L, L-2, L-2A, L-2C, and L-3 turbofan engines installed on but 
not limited to Canadair Challenger CL600 series aircraft.

    Note: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine 
identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of 
whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area 
subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been 
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the 
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the 
authority provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address 
either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe 
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an 
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe 
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any 
modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the 
applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent disk failure, which could result in an inflight 
engine shutdown and extensive engine damage, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Remove from service stage 1 and stage 3-7 compressor disks, 
and stage 2 turbine disks, in accordance with the drawdown schedule 
and procedures described in AlliedSignal Engines Service Bulletin 
(SB) No. ALF502L 72- 281, dated November 30, 1994.
    (b) This AD establishes new, reduced retirement life limits for 
stage 1 and stage 3-7 compressor disks, and stage 2 turbine disks, 
in accordance with AlliedSignal Engines SB No. ALF 502 72-0004, 
Revision 12, dated November 30, 1994.
    (c) 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.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following AlliedSignal Engines SB's:

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             Document No.                Pages          Revision                           Date                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALF502L 72-281........................     1-4  Original...............  November 30, 1994.                     
Total pages: 4.                                                                                                 
ALF 502 72-0004.......................    1-23  12.....................  November 30, 1994.                     
Total pages: 23.                                                                                                
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[[Page 7694]]

    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 AlliedSignal Engines, 111 South 34th 
Street, Phoenix, AZ 85072; telephone (602) 365-2493, fax (602) 365-
2210. 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 29, 1996.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 2, 1996.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-4242 Filed 2-28-96; 8:45 am]
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