[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14312-14313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5790]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0195; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-08-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International, Inc. Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Honeywell International, Inc. ALF502L-2C; ALF502R-3; ALF502R-3A; 
ALF502R-5; LF507-1F; and LF507-1H turbofan engines. This proposed AD 
was prompted by two reports of engines experiencing uncontained release 
of low-pressure (LP) turbine blades. This proposed AD would require 
operational checks of the engine overspeed trip system. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent LP turbine overspeed leading to 
uncontained release of the LP turbine blades and damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 8, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Honeywell International, Inc., P.O. Box 52181, Phoenix, AZ 85072-2181, 
phone: 800-601-3099; Web site: http://portal.honeywell.com/wps/portal/aero. You may review copies of the referenced service information at 
the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
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 Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Baitoo, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., 
Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: 562-627-5245; fax: 562-627-5210; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0195; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-08-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because 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 we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We received two reports of engines experiencing uncontained release 
of LP turbine blades. Investigation revealed that the overspeed trip 
system on both of these engines had a preexisting (latent) failure when 
the fan decoupled from the LP turbine, due to a certain part failing in 
the reduction gearbox. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in LP turbine overspeed leading to uncontained release of the LP 
turbine blades and damage to the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Honeywell International, Inc. ALF502L Engine 
Maintenance Manual Section 72-00-00, Inspection/Check-10, dated October 
31, 2000; ALF502R Engine Manual Section 72-00-00, Inspection/Check-09, 
dated July 31, 2000; LF507-1F Engine Manual Section 72-00-00, 
Inspection/Check-08, Temporary Revision 72-146, dated November 3, 2006; 
and LF507-1H Engine Manual Section 72-00-00, Inspection/Check-08, dated 
September 30, 1999. The service information describes procedures for 
operational checks of the overspeed trip system.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive operational 
checks of the overspeed trip system.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 188 Honeywell 
International, Inc. ALF502L-2C; ALF502R-3; ALF502R-3A; ALF502R-5; 
LF507-1F; and LF507-1H turbofan engines, installed on airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about one work-hour to 
perform an operational check of the overspeed trip system on each 
engine. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the total cost of this proposed AD for one 
operational check of the overspeed trip system to U.S. operators, to be 
$15,980.

[[Page 14313]]

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 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 this 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA 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 (AD):

Honeywell International, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2012-0195; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-NE-08-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 8, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Honeywell International, Inc. ALF502L-2C; 
ALF502R-3; ALF502R-3A; ALF502R-5; LF507-1F; and LF507-1H turbofan 
engines.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by two reports of engines experiencing 
uncontained release of low-pressure (LP) turbine blades. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent LP turbine overspeed leading to 
uncontained release of the LP turbine blades and damage to the 
airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(f) Initial Check of the Overspeed Trip System

    Within 30 operating hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform an initial check of the overspeed trip system, in accordance 
with the applicable engine manual section listed in Table 1 of this 
AD.

               Table 1--Applicable Engine Manual Sections
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For ALF502L-2C Engines.................  Use Honeywell ALF502L Engine
                                          Maintenance Manual Section 72-
                                          00-00, Inspection/Check-10,
                                          1.B.(1) through 1.B.(3), dated
                                          October 31, 2000.
For ALF502R-3; ALF502R-3A; and ALF502R-  Use Honeywell ALF502R Engine
 5 Engines.                               Manual Section 72-00-00,
                                          Inspection/Check-09, 1.C.(1),
                                          dated July 31, 2000.
For LF507-1F Engines...................  Use Honeywell LF507-1F Engine
                                          Manual Section 72-00-00,
                                          Inspection/Check-08, Temporary
                                          Revision 72-146 1.B.(1)
                                          through B.(8), dated November
                                          3, 2006.
For LF507-1H Engines...................  Use Honeywell LF507-1H Engine
                                          Manual Section 72-00-00,
                                          Inspection/Check-08, 1.C.(1),
                                          dated September 30, 1999.
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(g) Repetitive Checks of the Overspeed Trip System

    (1) For ALF502L-2C engines, perform repetitive checks of the 
overspeed trip system at 100-hour intervals of operation, in 
accordance with the applicable engine manual section listed in Table 
1 of this AD.
    (2) For ALF502R-3; ALF502R-3A; ALF502R-5; LF507-1F; and LF507-1H 
engines, perform repetitive checks of the overspeed trip system once 
every flight day, in accordance with the applicable engine manual 
section listed in Table 1 of this AD.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, a flight day is a 24-hour period 
during which at least one flight is indicated.

(i) Signing Off of Daily Repetitive Checks

    Upon starting the daily repetitive checks, only one sign-off is 
required attesting to the daily check implementation.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 
to make your request.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Baitoo, 
Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: 562-627-5245; fax: 
562-627-5210; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Honeywell International, Inc., P.O. Box 52181, Phoenix, AZ 85072-
2181, phone: 800-601-3099; Web site: http://portal.honeywell.com/wps/portal/aero. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 1, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 2012-5790 Filed 3-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P