[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 230 (Friday, November 28, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72370-72374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28269]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1207; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-47-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. ALF502L-2 
and ALF502L-2C 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. ALF502L-2 and ALF502L-2C turbofan 
engines with certain high-pressure compressor (HPC) first stage discs 
installed. This proposed AD would require performing a dimensional 
inspection to determine if excessive disc balance material was removed 
and a magnetic particle inspection if the disc passes the dimensional 
inspection. This proposed AD results from reports of discs found with 
excessive material removed from the balancing material of the disc. We 
are proposing this AD to prevent the discs from fracturing before 
reaching the currently published life limit. A disc fracture could 
result in an uncontained failure of the disc and damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by January 27, 
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

[[Page 72371]]

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 International Inc. 111 S. 34th Street, Phoenix, AZ 
85034-2802, U.S.A.; telephone (800) 601-3099, Web site http://portal.honeywell.com/wps/portal/aero.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Baitoo, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (562) 627-5245; 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-2008-1207; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-NE-47-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

    The HPC first stage disc has an area from which too much material 
could be removed during the balancing operation. We received reports of 
two HPC first stage discs with too much material removed from the 
balance material of the disc. Honeywell revised the engine overhaul 
manual to clarify the limits for removed balance material. Removing too 
much material from the balance area of the disc may result in a reduced 
fatigue life of the disc. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in the disc fracturing before reaching its currently published 
life limit. A disc fracture could result in an uncontained failure of 
the disc and damage to the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Honeywell 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) ALF/LF A72-1102, dated April 24, 2007, 
that describes procedures for inspecting the HPC first stage disc for 
missing balance material.

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 
at the next shop visit, but not later than 2,500 cycles-in-service 
after the effective date of this proposed AD, inspecting the HPC first 
stage disc for excessive missing balance material and a magnetic 
particle inspection.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 148 engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about 3 work-hours per engine to perform the proposed actions, and 
that the average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would 
cost about $21,000 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the 
total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $3,143,520.

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:


[[Page 72372]]


    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 and Lycoming): 
Docket No. FAA-2008-1207; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-47-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by January 27, 
2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Honeywell International Inc. ALF502L-2 
and ALF502L-2C turbofan engines with high pressure compressor (HPC) 
first stage discs, part numbers (P/Ns) 2-101-331-03, 2-101-331-04, 
and 2-101-331-10, installed. These engines are installed on, but not 
limited to, Bombardier CL-600-1A11 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of discs found with excessive 
material removed from the balancing material of the disc. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent the discs from fracturing before reaching 
the currently published life limit. A disc fracture could result in 
an uncontained failure of the disc and damage to the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed at the next shop visit, but not later than 2,500 
cycles-in-service after the effective date of this AD, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Visual Inspection

    (f) For discs with 5,000 or more cycles-since-new on the 
effective date of this AD, perform a dimensional inspection of the 
HPC first stage disc to determine if excessive disc balance material 
was removed. See the following Figure 1 for limits.
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    (g) Replace disc if excessive disc balance material was removed. 
See limits in Figure 1 of this AD.
    (h) If removed balance material is acceptable, perform a 
magnetic particle inspection of the disc rim and slots for cracks 
using a 3 to 7 power magnification glass. The Engine Overhaul 
Manual, 72-34-11, Inspection/Check, contains information on the 
magnetic particle inspection.
    (i) Replace disc if you find any cracks.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (j) 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

    (k) Honeywell Alert Service Bulletin ALF/LF A72-1102, dated 
April 24, 2007, contains information that pertains to the subject of 
this AD.
    (l) Contact Robert Baitoo, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (562) 627-5245; fax (562) 627-5210, 
for more information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 21, 2008.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-28269 Filed 11-26-08; 8:45 am]
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