[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 53 (Tuesday, March 18, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14377-14378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5274]


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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; 
Amendment 39-15431; AD 2008-06-19]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting 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 AD requires removing from service those LPC aft shafts 
and installing a serviceable LPC aft shaft. 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 22, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from Honeywell International Inc., 111 S. 34th St., Phoenix, AZ 85034-
2802; Web site: http://portal.honeywell.com/wps/portal/aero; telephone 
(800) 601-3099.
    The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.

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: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to Honeywell International 
Inc. ATF3-6 and ATF3-6A series turbofan engines equipped with a certain 
part numbered LPC aft shaft. We published the proposed AD in the 
Federal Register on October 5, 2007 (72 FR 56945). That action proposed 
to require removing LPC aft shafts, P/N 3002070-1, from service and 
installing serviceable LPC aft shafts.

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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is provided in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on 
the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 32 ATF3-6 and ATF3-6A series 
turbofan engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also 
estimate that it will take about 40 work-hours per engine to perform 
the 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 four 
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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:


[[Page 14378]]


2008-06-19 Honeywell International Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal Inc. 
and Garrett Turbine Engine Co.): Amendment 39-15431. Docket No. FAA-
2007-29092; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-30-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 
22, 2008.

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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   For ATF3-6A-4C turbofan
engines, if the  cycles-since-
  new (CSN) on the effective        Then replace the LPC Aft shaft:
     date of this AD are:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


   Table 2.--ATF3-6-4C and ATF3-6A-3C Turbofan Engines, LPC Aft Shaft
                     Replacement Compliance Schedule
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 For ATF3-6-4C and ATF3-6A-3C
turbofan  engines, if the CSN
on the effective date of this       Then replace the LPC Aft shaft:
           AD are:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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: 
[email protected]; telephone: (562) 627-5246; fax: (562) 627-
5210, for more information about this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 10, 2008.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-5274 Filed 3-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P