[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 66 (Friday, April 4, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18461-18462]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6993]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 66 / Friday, April 4, 2008 / Proposed 
Rules  

[[Page 18461]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0264; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-07-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. TFE731-4, 
-4R, -5, -5AR, -5BR, and -5R 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. TFE731-4, -4R, -5, -5AR, -5BR, and -5R 
series turbofan engines, with interstage turbine transition (ITT) duct, 
part number (P/N) 3075292-1; 3075292-3; 3074766-1; 3077063-1; 3075655-
1; 3075655-2; 30756599-1; or 30756599-3, installed. This proposed AD 
would require replacing the affected ITT duct with a serviceable and 
redesigned ITT duct. This proposed AD results from reports of 49 low 
pressure turbine (LPT) blade separations. Six of those events resulted 
in circumferential failure of the LPT2 or LPT3 nozzle assembly, leading 
to deformation of the ITT duct and uncontainment of the turbine blades 
and fragments of the LPT nozzle assembly. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent uncontainment of turbine blades and fragments of the LPT nozzle 
assembly, which could result in damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by June 3, 
2008.

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: (602) 365-2493 (General Aviation), (602) 365-5535 
(Commercial Aviation), fax: (602) 365-5577 (General Aviation and 
Commercial Aviation).

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-2008-0264; Directorate 
Identifier 2008-NE-07-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

    In July 2006, we started receiving reports of LPT blade 
separations, which resulted in circumferential failure of the LPT2 or 
LPT3 nozzle assembly. To date, we have received reports of 49 LPT blade 
separations of which 6 of those events caused spinning of the LPT2 or 
LPT3 nozzle assembly. The spinning can lead to deformation of the ITT 
duct and uncontainment of the turbine blades and fragments of the LPT 
nozzle assembly. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
uncontainment of turbine blades and fragments of the LPT nozzle 
assembly, leading to damage to the airplane.

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 
replacing the affected ITT duct with a serviceable and redesigned ITT 
duct at the next Major Periodic Inspection of the engine or at next 
access of the ITT duct, whichever occurs first, but not to exceed 2,600 
hours time-in-service after the effective date of the proposed AD. The 
serviceable and redesigned ITT duct will minimize the potential for 
uncontained events.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 1,500 engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about 4 work-hours per engine to perform the

[[Page 18462]]

proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 
Reworked ITT ducts to the redesign would cost about $25,000 per engine. 
New ITT ducts that are redesigned would cost about $127,000. We 
estimate that 30 engines would require new ITT ducts. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. 
operators to be $41,040,000.

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, 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-2008-0264; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-07-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by June 3, 
2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Honeywell International Inc. TFE731-4, -
4R, -5, -5AR, -5BR, and -5R series turbofan engines, with interstage 
turbine transition (ITT) duct, part number (P/N) 3075292-1; 3075292-
3; 3074766-1; 3077063-1; 3075655-1; 3075655-2; 30756599-1; or 
30756599-3, installed. These engines are installed on, but not 
limited to, Avions Marcel Dassault Mystere-Falcon 50 series, 
Dassault-Aviation 20, 50, 900, MF900 series, Cessna Model 650, 
Cessna Citation VII, and Raytheon Corporate Jets (formerly British 
Aerospace) Hawker 800 and 850XP series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of 49 low pressure turbine 
(LPT) blade separations. Six of those events resulted in 
circumferential failure of the LPT2 or LPT3 nozzle assembly, leading 
to deformation of the ITT duct and uncontainment of the turbine 
blades and fragments of the LPT nozzle assembly. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent uncontainment of turbine blades and fragments of the 
LPT nozzle assembly, which could result in damage to the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed at the next Major Periodic Inspection of the engine or 
at next access of the ITT duct, whichever occurs first, but not to 
exceed 2,600 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this 
AD, unless the actions have already been done.

Replacement of the ITT Duct

    (f) Replace the affected ITT ducts listed by part number in 
paragraph (c) of this AD, with a serviceable and redesigned ITT 
duct.

Definitions

    (g) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable and redesigned ITT 
duct is one not having a part number listed in this AD.
    (h) For the purpose of this AD, next access of the ITT duct is 
when the ITT duct is removed from the engine.

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) Honeywell International Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. 
TFE731-72-3727, dated September 12, 2007, and SB No. TFE731-72-3728, 
dated September 12, 2007, pertain to the subject of this AD.
    (k) 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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 31, 2008.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-6993 Filed 4-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P