Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International, Inc., (Formerly AlliedSignal, Inc. and Textron Lycoming) LF507 and ALF502R Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66548-66550]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27433]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NE-21-AD; Amendment 39-12931; AD 2002-22-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International, Inc., 
(Formerly AlliedSignal, Inc. and Textron Lycoming) LF507 and ALF502R 
Series Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to Honeywell International, Inc., (formerly AlliedSignal, 
Inc. and Textron Lycoming) LF507 and ALF502R series turbofan engines 
with combustion chamber liner assembly part number (P/N) 2-131-520-03 
installed. This action requires initial and repetitive borescope 
inspections of the combustion chamber liner assembly to determine if 
the combustion liner assembly condition is acceptable for continued 
operation, requires the removal from service of certain serial number 
(SN) combustion chamber liner assemblies, and provides an optional 
terminating action to the

[[Page 66549]]

repetitive borescope inspections. This amendment is prompted by three 
reports of separation of the combustor dome baffle from the combustion 
chamber liner assembly resulting in engine combustion chamber liner 
assembly burn through. The actions specified in this AD are intended to 
prevent separation of the combustor dome baffle from the combustion 
chamber liner assembly and the flow of hot combustor gases on oil and 
fuel lines which could result in engine fire, in-flight shutdown, and 
damage to the airplane.

DATES: Effective November 18, 2002. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of November 18, 2002.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before December 31, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NE-21-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location, by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may also be sent via 
the Internet using the following address: ``[email protected]''. 
Comments sent via the Internet must contain the docket number in the 
subject line.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Honeywell International, Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc. and Textron 
Lycoming), Attn: Data Distribution, M/S 64-3/2101-201, PO Box 29003, 
Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003, telephone: (602) 365-2493; fax: (602) 365-5577. 
This information may be examined, by appointment, at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Baitoo, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (LAACO), FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone 
(562) 627-5245; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received three reports of 
combustion liner assemblies that have been found with burned and 
missing material. One combustion chamber liner assembly that burned 
through was found at routine maintenance, one manifested itself as a 
low thrust condition, and one resulted in an engine in-flight shutdown. 
Some combustion liner assemblies may have inferior baffle attachment 
welds. To date, there have been no in-flight engine fires due to 
separation of the combustor dome baffle from the combustion chamber 
liner assembly. However, the FAA has determined that LF507 and ALF502R 
series turbofan engines with combustion chamber liner assembly part 
number (P/N) 2-131-520-03 installed could experience burn through due 
to separation of the combustor dome baffle and the flow of hot 
combustor gases on oil and fuel lines. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in engine fire, in-flight shutdown, and damage 
to the airplane.

Manufacturer's Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of 
Honeywell International, Inc., (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc. and Textron 
Lycoming) alert service bulletin (ASB).
    [sbull] ALF/LF A72-1076, Revision 1, dated August 30, 2002. That 
ASB describes initial and repetitive borescope inspection procedures of 
the combustion chamber liner assembly part number (P/N) 2-131-520-03. 
That ASB also lists combustion chamber liner assembly SN's that require 
removal within 250 cycles from date of receipt of that service bulletin 
revision (Revision 1).

FAA's Determination of an Unsafe Condition and Required Actions

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Honeywell International, Inc., (formerly 
AlliedSignal, Inc. and Textron Lycoming) LF507 and ALF502R series 
turbofan engines of the same type design, this AD is being issued to 
prevent separation of the combustor dome baffle from the combustion 
chamber liner assembly and the flow of hot combustor gases on oil and 
fuel lines which could result in an engine fire, an in-flight shutdown, 
and damage to the airplane. The actions are required to be done in 
accordance with the alert service bulletin described previously.

Immediate Adoption of This AD

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2002-NE-21-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Analysis

    This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined 
in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication 
of this final rule.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation

[[Page 66550]]

under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 
1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise 
would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a 
final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules 
Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket 
at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to 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

    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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2002-22-06 Honeywell International, Inc., (formerly AlliedSignal, 
Inc. and Textron Lycoming): Amendment 39-12931. Docket No. 2002-NE-
21-AD.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Honeywell International, Inc., (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc. and 
Textron Lycoming) LF507 and ALF502R series turbofan engines with 
combustion chamber liner assembly part number (P/N) 2-131-520-03 
installed. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, BAE 
Systems Avro 146 and BAE 146 series aircraft.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each engine identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For engines that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, 
unless already done.
    To prevent separation of the combustor dome baffle from the 
combustion chamber liner assembly and the flow of hot combustor 
gases on oil and fuel lines which could result in an engine fire, an 
in-flight shutdown, and damage to the airplane, do the following:

Removal Requirements

    (a) Within 250 cycles-in-service (CIS) after the effective date 
of this AD, remove from service engines that have combustion chamber 
liner assemblies, P/N 2-131-520-03, listed by serial number (SN) in 
Table 1 of this AD. Replace that SN combustion chamber liner 
assembly with a serviceable part. Table 1 follows:

         Table 1.--Affected Combustion Chamber Liner Assemblies
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Serial Nos. to be removed from service
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990992700016.
990992700018 thru 990992700028.
990992700077 thru 990992700078.
990992700081.
990992700083.
990992700085 thru 990992700090.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Initial and Repetitive Inspections

    (b) On engines that have combustion chamber liner assemblies 
with more than 2,000 CIS on the effective date of this AD, perform 
an initial borescope inspection of combustion chamber liner assembly 
P/N 2-131-520-03 within 500 CIS after the effective date of this AD 
in accordance with paragraphs 2(A)(1) through 2(A)(8) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Honeywell alert service bulletin 
(ASB) ALF/LF A72-1076, Revision 1, dated August 30, 2002.
    (c) Thereafter, at each successive 500 CIS, perform a borescope 
inspection of combustion chamber liner assembly P/N 2-131-520-03 in 
accordance with paragraphs 2(A)(1) through 2(A)(8) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Honeywell ASB ALF/LF A72-1076, 
Revision 1, dated August 30, 2002.

Optional Terminating Action

    (d) Replacement of combustion chamber liner assembly, P/N 2-131-
520-03, with the new improved durability combustion chamber liner 
assembly, P/N 2-131-520-04, constitutes terminating action to the 
borescope inspection requirements of paragraph (c) of this AD. 
Information regarding the replacement of combustion chamber liner 
assembly P/N 2-131-520-03 with P/N 2-131-520-04 can be found in 
Honeywell service bulletin ALF/LF 72-1078, dated June 28, 2002.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (LAACO). Operators must submit their requests through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, LAACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the LAACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be done.

Documents That Have Been Incorporated by Reference

    (g) The initial and repetitive borescope inspections of 
combustion chamber liner assembly, PN 2-131-520-03, must be done in 
accordance with the Honeywell International, Inc. ASB ALF/LF A72-
1076, Revision 1, dated August 30, 2002. This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Honeywell International, Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal, 
Inc. and Textron Lycoming), Attn: Data Distribution, M/S 64-3/2101-
201, P.O. Box 29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003, telephone: (602) 365-
2493; fax: (602) 365-5577. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on November 18, 2002.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 22, 2002.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-27433 Filed 10-31-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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