[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 237 (Friday, December 11, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65697-65699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29482]


 ========================================================================
 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.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 237 / Friday, December 11, 2009 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 65697]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0331; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-40-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. TFE731 
Series Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of 
comment period.

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

SUMMARY: This supplemental NPRM revises an earlier proposed 
airworthiness directive (AD), for Honeywell International Inc. TFE731 
series turbofan engines with certain second stage low-pressure 
compressor rotor (LPCR) discs and/or certain third stage LPCR discs 
installed. That proposed AD would have required removing from service 
certain second stage LPCR discs and/or certain third stage LPCR discs. 
That proposed AD resulted from a report of cracks found during a 
fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the disc bore. This 
supplemental NPRM revises the proposed AD to correct a P/N error, to 
clarify the applicability, and to clarify the instructions in the 
compliance section. This supplemental proposed AD results from a report 
of cracks found during an FPI of the disc bore. We are proposing this 
supplemental proposed AD to prevent an uncontained failure of a second 
stage LPCR disc and or a third stage LPCR disc due to cracks in the 
bore, which could result in damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by January 25, 
2010.

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: Global Customer Care toll free (800) 601-3099; International 
callers (602) 365-3099.

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-2009-0331; Directorate 
Identifier 2008-NE-40-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

    On April 6, 2009, we issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to add an AD, for Honeywell 
International Inc. TFE731 series turbofan engines with certain second 
stage LPCR discs and/or certain third stage LPCR discs installed. The 
proposed AD published as an NPRM in the Federal Register on April 13, 
2009 (74 FR 16807). That NPRM proposed to require removing from 
service, certain second and third stage LPCR discs, P/Ns 3072396-1, 
3072397-1, 3075109-1, or 2075192-1.
    Since we issued that NPRM, we became aware that LPCR disc P/N 
2075192-1 is incorrect. We changed the AD to the correct disc P/N of 
3075192-1.
    We also became aware that the NPRM compliance is unclear in that it 
describes the affected parts as ``second and third stage LPCR disc''. 
To clarify, we changed the description to ``a second stage LPCR disc 
and/or a third stage LPCR disc.'' We also changed the applicability 
statement from ``* * * turbofan engines with certain low-pressure 
compressor rotor (LPCR) discs, part numbers (P/Ns) 3072396-1, 3072397-
1, 3075190-1, or 2075192-1, installed'' to ``turbofan engines with 
certain second stage low-pressure compressor rotor (LPCR) discs, part 
number (P/N) 3072396-1 or 3075190-1, and/or certain third stage LPCR 
discs, P/N 3072397-1 or 3075192-1, installed.'' Because we are making 
these

[[Page 65698]]

corrections, this supplemental NPRM reopens the comment period.
    As we stated in the original proposed AD, we received a report of 
cracks found during an FPI of the disc bore. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in an uncontained failure of a second stage 
LPCR disc and/or third stage LPCR disc due to cracks in the bore, which 
could result in 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 
removing from service engines with second stage LPCR discs and/or third 
stage LPCR discs that have a S/N:
     In Table 5 of ASBs TFE731-72-A3748, dated August 21, 2008, 
or TFE731-72-A3749, dated August 21, 2008, within 100 cycles-in-service 
(CIS) after the effective date of this proposed AD, and
     In Table 6 of ASBs TFE731-72-A3748, dated August 21, 2008, 
or TFE731-72-A3749, dated August 21, 2008, within 2,000 CIS or the next 
access after the effective date of this proposed AD, whichever occurs 
first.
    The proposed AD would require you to use the service information 
described previously to perform these actions.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this supplemental proposed AD would affect 27 
engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 4 work-hours per engine to perform the proposed 
actions during scheduled maintenance and 140 work-hours per engine for 
the proposed actions during unscheduled maintenance. The average labor 
rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $31,000 per 
engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the 
proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $900,000.

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 
regulation:
    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. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 
Garrett Turbine Engine Company): Docket No. FAA-2009-0331; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-40-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by February 9, 
2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Honeywell International Inc. TFE731-2, 
TFE731-2A, TFE731-2C, TFE731-3, TFE731-3A, TFE731-3AR, TFE731-3B, 
TFE731-3BR, TFE731-3C, TFE731-3CR, TFE731-3D, TFE731-3DR, TFE731-3R, 
TFE731-4, TFE731-4R, TFE731-5, TFE731-5AR, TFE731-5BR, and TFE731-5R 
series turbofan engines with certain second stage low-pressure 
compressor rotor (LPCR) discs, part number (P/N) 3072396-1 or 
3075190-1, and/or certain third stage LPCR discs, P/N 3072397-1 or 
3075192-1, installed. These engines are installed on, but not 
limited to, the airplanes listed in Table 1 of this AD.

             Table 1--Installed on Airplanes by Manufacturer
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Manufacturer                             Model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dassault-Aviation or Dassault       Falcon 10 (Falcon 100) and Mystere-
 Aviation.                           Falcon 20, 50, 900 and MF900
                                     series.
Cessna Aircraft Company...........  Model 650, Citation III, VI, and
                                     VII.
Gulfstream Aerospace LP...........  1125 Westwind Astra.
Israel Aircraft Industries........  1124 and 1124A (Westwind).
Learjet Inc.......................  31, 31A, 35, 35A, 36, 36A, 55, 55B,
                                     55C, and M31.
Lockheed Martin Corporation         1329-23A, 1329-23D, 1329-23E, and
 (formerly Lockheed-Georgia).        1329-25.
Raytheon Corporate Jets (formerly   DH.125 Series 1A, 3A, and 3A/RA,
 British Aerospace and Hawker        HS.125 Series F3B and F3B/RA,
 Beechcraft Corporation).            BH.125 and DH.125 Series 400A,
                                     HS.125 Series 403B, F400B, and
                                     F403B, HS.125 Series 600A, BH.125
                                     Series 600A, HS.125 Series F600B,
                                     700A, and 700B, BAe.125 Series 800
                                     and 1000, and Hawker 800 and 850XP
                                     series.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 65699]]

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of cracks found during a 
fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the disc bore. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent an uncontained failure of a second stage 
LPCR disc and/or a third stage LPCR disc due to cracks in the bore, 
which could result in 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.

Removing LPCR Discs From Service

    (f) For engines with any of the serial number (S/N) LPCR discs 
listed in Table 5 of Honeywell International Inc. Alert Service 
Bulletins (ASBs) TFE731-72-A3748, dated August 21, 2008, and/or 
Table 5 of TFE731-72-A3749, dated August 21, 2008, remove those LPCR 
discs from service within 100 cycles-in-service (CIS) after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (g) For engines with any of the S/N LPCR discs listed in Table 6 
of Honeywell International Inc. ASBs TFE731-72-A3748, dated August 
21, 2008, and or Table 6 of TFE731-72-A3749, dated August 21, 2008, 
do the earlier of the following:
    (1) Remove the LPCR disc from service within 2,000 CIS after the 
effective date of this AD, or
    (2) Remove the LPCR disc from service the next time the 
intermediate case is removed from the low-pressure compressor case.

Installation Prohibition

    (h) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any of 
the S/Ns of LPCR discs listed in Table 5 of Honeywell International 
Inc. ASBs TFE731-72-A3748, dated August 21, 2008, and the discs 
listed in Table 5 of TFE731-72-A3749, dated August 21, 2008, into 
any engine. Also, do not install any of the S/Ns of LPCR discs 
listed in Table 6 of Honeywell International Inc. ASBs TFE731-72-
A3748, dated August 21, 2008, and the discs listed in Table 6 of 
TFE731-72-A3749, dated August 21, 2008, into any 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) 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 December 4, 2009.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-29482 Filed 12-10-09; 8:45 am]
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