[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 179 (Friday, September 14, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46664-46666]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19798]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0719; Product Identifier 2016-NE-24-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-20-
01, which applies to certain Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) 
TFE731-20 and TFE731-40 turbofan engines. AD 2017-20-01 requires 
removing the affected fan disk and replacing it with a fan disk 
eligible for installation. Since we issued AD 2017-20-01, we determined 
that some turbofan engine models were omitted from the applicability of 
AD 2017-20-01. This proposed AD would add these turbofan engine models 
to the applicability, remove the Honeywell TFE731-20 turbofan engine 
from the applicability, and prohibit installation of affected fan 
disks. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 29, 
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 (Toll Free U.S.A./Canada); 602-365-3099 (International 
Direct); website: www.myaerospace.com; email: 
[email protected]. You may view this service information 
at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District 
Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. 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-2018-
0719; or in person at Docket Operations 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 Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is listed above. 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 Boulevard, 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-2018-0719; 
Product Identifier 2016-NE-24-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 2017-20-01, Amendment 39-19058 (82 FR 45173, September 
28, 2017), (``AD 2017-20-01''), for certain Honeywell TFE731-20 and 
TFE731-40 turbofan engines with fan disk part number, (P/N) 3060287-2, 
and a serial number (S/N) listed in Table 9 of Honeywell Service 
Bulletin (SB) TFE731-72-5256, Revision 0, dated October 7, 2016. AD 
2017-20-01 requires removing the affected fan disk and replacing it 
with a part eligible for installation. AD 2017-20-01 resulted from two 
fan disks found with surface rollovers in the dovetail slot area. We 
issued AD 2017-20-01 to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Actions Since AD 2017-20-01 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2017-20-01, we determined that Honeywell TFE731-
20R, -20AR, -20BR, and TFE731-40R, -40AR, and -40BR turbofan engine 
models listed in Honeywell SB TFE731-72-5256, Revision 0, dated October 
7, 2016, were omitted from the applicability of AD 2017-20-01. We also 
determined that the Honeywell TFE731-20 turbofan engine model was never 
produced and should be removed from the applicability; and that 
affected fan disks, P/N 3060267-2, should be prohibited from 
installation unless they have ``T43374'' marked adjacent to the engine 
P/N or S/N. This proposed AD would add Honeywell TFE731-20R, -20AR, -
20BR, and TFE731-40R, -40AR, and -40BR turbofan engine models to the 
applicability, remove the Honeywell TFE731-20 turbofan engine from the 
applicability, and prohibit installation of affected fan disks.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Honeywell SB TFE731-72-5256, Revision 0, dated October 
7, 2016. The SB identifies affected fan disks by S/N and describes 
procedures for removing, inspecting, and replacing the affected fan 
disks. 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.

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 certain requirements of AD 2017-20-
01. This proposed AD would add Honeywell TFE731-20R, -20AR, -20BR, and 
TFE731-40AR, -40BR, and -40R turbofan engines with fan disk, P/N 
3060287-2, and a S/N listed in Table 9 of Honeywell SB TFE731-72-5256, 
Revision 0, dated October 7, 2016. This proposed AD would also remove 
the Honeywell TFE731-20 turbofan engine from the applicability and 
prohibit

[[Page 46665]]

installation of affected fan disks that do not have ``T43374'' marked 
adjacent to the engine P/N or S/N.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 61 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
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Remove fan disk and send to Honeywell   8 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $680         $41,480
 for inspection.                         hour = $680.
Install reworked or new fan disk......  26 work-hours x $85 per                0           2,210         134,810
                                         hour = $2,210.
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    The new requirements of this proposed AD add no additional economic 
burden. We estimate the following costs to do any necessary fan disk 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. We estimate that 6 engines will need this 
replacement.

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the non-serviceable disk with a new  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...         $50,000         $50,085
 fan disk.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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:

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) 
2017-20-01, Amendment 39-19058; (82 FR 45173, September 28, 2017), and 
adding the following new AD:

Honeywell International Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by 
AlliedSignal Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2018-0719; Product Identifier 
2016-NE-24-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October 29, 
2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-20-01, Amendment 39-19058 (82 FR 45173, 
September 28, 2017).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) 
TFE731-20R, -20AR, -20BR, and TFE731-40, -40AR, -40BR, and -40R 
turbofan engines with a fan disk, part number (P/N) 3060287-2, and 
with a serial number (S/N) listed in Table 9 of Honeywell Service 
Bulletin (SB) TFE731-72-5256, Revision 0, dated October 7, 2016, 
that do not have ``T43374'' marked adjacent to the engine P/N or S/
N.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

[[Page 46666]]

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of two fan disks found with 
surface rollovers in the dovetail slot area. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent uncontained failure of the fan disks. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained fan disk 
release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Remove the affected fan disk using the following criteria:
    (1) Remove fan disks with 9,000 cycles-since-new (CSN) or more 
as of the effective date of this AD, within 100 cycles-in-service 
(CIS), or at the next engine shop visit, or at next access, 
whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Remove fan disks with between 8,000 and 8,999 CSN, 
inclusive, as of the effective date of this AD, within 9,100 CSN or 
within 1,000 CIS, or at the next engine shop visit, or at next 
access, whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Remove fan disks with fewer than 8,000 CSN as of the 
effective date of this AD, before exceeding 9,000 CSN, or at the 
next engine shop visit, or at next access, whichever occurs first, 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (4) Replace any removed fan disk with a part eligible for 
installation.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    Do not install an affected fan disk, P/N 3060267-2, unless 
``T43374'' is marked adjacent to the engine P/N or S/N.

(i) Definitions

    (1) For the purposes of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is 
defined as the removal of the tie-shaft nut from the engine.
    (2) For the purposes of this AD, ``access'' is defined as the 
removal of the fan rotor assembly from the engine.
    (3) For the purposes of this AD, a ``part eligible for 
installation'' is:
    (i) a fan disk not listed in the Accomplishment Instructions, 
Table 9, in Honeywell SB TFE731-72-5256, Revision 0, dated October 
7, 2016; or
    (ii) a fan disk listed in Table 9, in Honeywell SB TFE731-72-
5256, Revision 0, dated October 7, 2016, that has been inspected, 
reworked, and marked with ``T43374'' adjacent to the P/N or S/N. 
Guidance on returning affected parts to Honeywell for inspection and 
rework is found in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.D., 
of Honeywell SB TFE731-72-5256, Revision 0, dated October 7, 2016.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority 
to 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 certification office, 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, 
Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 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 (Toll Free U.S.A./Canada); phone: 
602-365-3099 (International Direct); website: www.myaerospace.com; 
email: [email protected]. You may view this 
referenced service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7759.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 6, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-19798 Filed 9-13-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P