[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 157 (Monday, August 17, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41327-41328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-19633]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 157 / Monday, August 17, 2009 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 41327]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0555; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-18-AD; 
Amendment 39-15996; AD 2009-17-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-10 
and TPE331-11 Series Turboprop Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-10 and TPE331-11 series turboprop 
engines. This AD requires removing certain first stage turbine disks 
from service. This AD results from a report of an uncontained failure 
of a first stage turbine disk that had a metallurgical defect. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the first stage 
turbine disk and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 1, 2009. We must receive any 
comments on this AD by October 16, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: U.S. Docket Management Facility, 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.
    Contact Honeywell International Inc., 111 S. 34th Street, Phoenix, 
AZ 85034-2802; Web site: http://portal.honeywell.com for the service 
information identified in this AD.

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: In May 2008, we received a report of an 
uncontained separation of a first stage turbine disk, part number (P/N) 
3107079-1. The disk was installed in a TPE331-11U turboprop engine. 
That disk, which has a 20,000-cycle life, failed after accumulating 
8,314 cycles-in-service. The fracture revealed a large melt-related 
oxide cluster inclusion in the web area of the disk, which occurred 
during the forging alloy melting process. The disk was produced from 
Waspaloy material, from Heat Lot 9-7121, which was melted by Special 
Metals in 1980. We have determined that five turbine disks that were 
next to the failed disk during the billet-forging process may also 
contain part of the same melt-related oxide cluster inclusion. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in uncontained failure of the 
first stage turbine disks made from these billets and damage to the 
airplane.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-10 and TPE331-11 
series turboprop engines of the same type design with the affected 
first stage turbine disks installed. For that reason, we are issuing 
this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the first stage turbine disk 
and damage to the airplane. This AD requires removal from service of 
first stage turbine disks, P/Ns 3101520-1 and 3107079-1, serial numbers 
2-03501-2299, 2-03501-2300, 2-03501-2301, 2-03501-2302, and 2-03501-
2304, within 25 flight hours or 25 cycles-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment; however, we invite you to send us any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2009-0555; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-18-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    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 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 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.

[[Page 41328]]

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 the 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
Under 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

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:

2009-17-05 Honeywell International Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal Inc., 
Garrett Engine Division; Garrett Turbine Engine Company; and 
AiResearch Manufacturing Company of Arizona): Amendment 39-15996. 
Docket No. FAA-2009-0555; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-18-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective 
September 1, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-10 
and TPE331-11 series turboprop engines with a first stage turbine 
disk, P/N 3101520-1 or 3107079-1, serial number 2-03501-2299, 2-
03501-2300, 2-03501-2301, 2-03501-2302, or 2-03501-2304 installed. 
These engines are installed on, but not limited to, the following 
airplanes: British Aerospace Jetstream 3201 series, Cessna Aircraft 
Company Model 441 Conquest, Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA) 
C-212 series, Dornier Luftfahrt Dornier 228 series, Hawker 
Beechcraft (formerly Raytheon, formerly Beech) B100, C90 and E90, M7 
Aerospace (formerly Fairchild) SA226 and SA227 series (Swearingen 
Merlin and Metro series), Mitsubishi MU-2B series (MU-2 series), PZL 
M18 series, and Twin Commander 680 and 690 series (Jetprop 
Commander).

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of an uncontained failure of a 
first stage turbine disk that had a metallurgical defect. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the first stage 
turbine disk and damage to the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

Removal of First Stage Turbine Disks From Service

    (f) Within 25 flight hours or 25 cycles-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, remove from 
service first stage turbine disks, P/N 3101520-1 and P/N 3107079-1, 
serial numbers 2-03501-2299, 2-03501-2300, 2-03501-2301, 2-03501-
2302, and 2-03501-2304.

Installation Prohibition

    (g) After the effective date of this AD, do not install first 
stage turbine disks, P/N 3101520-1 and P/N 3107079-1, serial numbers 
2-03501-2299, 2-03501-2300, 2-03501-2301, 2-03501-2302, and 2-03501-
2304, into any engine.

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) 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.
    (j) Honeywell International Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. 
TPE331-72-A2150, dated June 13, 2008, pertains to the subject of 
this AD. Contact Honeywell International Inc., 111 S. 34th Street, 
Phoenix, AZ 85034-2802; Web site: http://portal.honeywell.com, for a 
copy of this service information, and for coordinating disk returns 
with the Honeywell Complete Customer Care Center.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 11, 2009.
Karen Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-19633 Filed 8-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P