[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 30, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4167-4169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01704]


 ========================================================================
 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. 83, No. 20 / Tuesday, January 30, 2018 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 4167]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1116; Product Identifier 2016-NE-32-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-20-
06, which applies to certain Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) 
AS907-1-1A turbofan engines. AD 2017-20-06 requires a one-time 
inspection of the second stage low-pressure turbine (LPT2) blades and, 
if the blades fail the inspection, the replacement of the blades with a 
part eligible for installation. Since we issued AD 2017-20-06, we 
determined the need to clarify the Applicability and Compliance 
sections of AD 2017-20-06. This proposed AD would continue to require a 
one-time inspection of the LPT2 blades and, if the blades fail the 
inspection, the replacement of the blades with a part eligible for 
installation. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 16, 2018.

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 NPRM, contact Honeywell 
International Inc., 111 S 34th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034-2802; phone: 
800-601-3099; internet: https://myaerospace.honeywell.com/wps/portal. 
You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1116; 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 NPRM, 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: Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; 
phone: 562-627-5246; 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 proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-1116; 
Product Identifier 2016-NE-32-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 issued AD 2017-20-06, Amendment 39-19063 (82 FR 46379, October 
5, 2017), (``AD 2017-20-06''), for certain Honeywell International Inc. 
(Honeywell) AS907-1-1A turbofan engines. AD 2017-20-06 requires a one-
time inspection of the LPT2 blades and, if the blades fail the 
inspection, the replacement of the blades with a part eligible for 
installation. AD 2017-20-06 resulted from reports of loss of power due 
to failure of the LPT2 blade. We issued AD 2017-20-06 to prevent 
failure of the LPT2 blades caused by excessive blade tip shroud wear, 
failure of one or more new production engines with the same time-in-
service, and loss of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2017-20-06 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2017-20-06, we determined the need to clarify 
the Applicability and Compliance sections of that AD. We received 
comments from operators and maintenance facilities indicating that 
these sections of the AD could have been misinterpreted to mean that 
the borescope inspections required by this AD applied to all Honeywell 
AS907-1-1A turbofan engines with LPT2 rotor blades, part number (P/N) 
3035602-1, installed. We revised these sections to clarify that only 
Honeywell AS907-1-1A turbofan engines with LPT2 rotor blades, P/N 
3035602-1, installed, with more than 8,000 hours since new on the 
effective date of this AD are affected.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Honeywell Service Bulletin (SB) AS907-72-9067, Revision 
1, dated March 20, 2017. This SB describes procedures for inspecting 
the LPT2 blades. This service information is reasonably available 
because the interested parties have access to it through their normal 
course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Other Related Service Information

    We reviewed Honeywell SB AS907-72-9067, Revision 0, dated December 
12, 2016, which also describes procedures for inspecting the LPT2 
blades. We also reviewed the Honeywell

[[Page 4168]]

Light Maintenance Manual, AS907-1-1A, 72-00-00, Section 72-05-12, dated 
May 25, 2016, and Section 72-55-03, dated September 27, 2011, which 
provide additional guidance for performing borescope inspections.

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 retain the requirements of AD 2017-20-06 to 
perform a one-time inspection of affected LPT2 blades and, if the 
blades fail the inspection, replace the blades with a part eligible for 
installation. This proposed AD would clarify that these requirements 
apply only to Honeywell AS907-1-1A turbofan engines with LPT2 rotor 
blades, P/N 3035602-1, installed, with more than 8,000 hours since new 
on the effective date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 40 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borescope inspection..................  10 work-hours x $85 per               $0            $850         $34,000
                                         hour = $850.
Report results of inspection..........  1 work-hour x $85 per                  0              85           3,400
                                         hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We 
estimate that 40 engines will need this replacement.

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of the LPT2 blade set............  50 work-hours x $85 per hour =          $50,000          $54,250
                                                $4,250.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this proposed AD 
is 2120-0056. The paperwork cost associated with this proposed AD has 
been detailed in the Costs of Compliance section of this document and 
includes time for reviewing instructions, as well as completing and 
reviewing the collection of information. Therefore, all reporting 
associated with this proposed AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the 
accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should 
be directed to the FAA at 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 
20591. ATTN: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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),
    (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:

[[Page 4169]]

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2017-20-06, Amendment 39-19063 (82 FR 46379, October 5, 2017), and 
adding the following new AD:

Honeywell International Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2017-1116; Product 
Identifier 2016-NE-32-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by March 16, 
2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-20-06, Amendment 39-19063 (82 FR 46379, 
October 5, 2017).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) 
AS907-1-1A turbofan engines with second stage low-pressure turbine 
(LPT2) rotor blades, part number 3035602-1, installed, that have 
more than 8,000 hours since new on the effective date of this AD.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine 
Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of loss of power due to failure 
of the LPT2 blade. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
LPT2 blades. The unsafe condition, if not corrected, could result in 
failure of one or more engines and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 200 hours time in service after the effective date of 
this AD, do the following:
    (1) Perform a one-time borescope inspection for wear of the Z 
gap contact area at the blade tip shroud for each of the 62 LPT2 
rotor blades. Use the Accomplishment Instructions, Paragraph 
3.B.(1), of Honeywell Service Bulletin (SB) AS907-72-9067, Revision 
1, dated March 20, 2017, to do the inspection.
    (2) If the measured wear and/or fretting of any Z gap contact 
area is greater than 0.005 inch, replace the LPT2 rotor assembly 
with a part eligible for installation before further flight.
    (3) Using a borescope, make a clear digital image of the Z gap 
contact area at the blade tip shroud of the 62 LPT2 rotor blades, 
and do the following:
    (i) Identify the three Z gap contact areas with the greatest 
amount of wear and/or fretting.
    (ii) Record the blade position on the LPT2 rotor assembly and 
the measured wear of the three Z gap contact areas with the greatest 
amount of wear and/or fretting.
    (iii) Send the results to Honeywell at 
[email protected] within 30 days after completing 
these actions.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the actions required by paragraphs 
(g)(1) and (2) of this AD, if you performed these actions before the 
effective date of this AD using Honeywell SB AS907-72-9067, Revision 
0, dated December 12, 2016.

(i) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
Los Angeles ACO Branch, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Costa, 
Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount 
Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5246; fax: 562-627-
5210; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Honeywell International Inc., 111 S 34th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034-
2802; phone: 800-601-3099; internet: https://myaerospace.honeywell.com/wps/portal.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 24, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-01704 Filed 1-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P