Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International, Inc. Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 105 (Thursday, May 31, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32009-32010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13082]


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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; 
Amendment 39-17070; AD 2012-11-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International, Inc. Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting 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 AD was 
prompted by two reports of engines experiencing uncontained release of 
low-pressure (LP) turbine blades. This AD requires operational checks 
of the engine overspeed trip system. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
LP turbine overspeed leading to uncontained release of the LP turbine 
blades and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective July 5, 2012.

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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

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:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2012 (77 FR 
14312). That NPRM proposed to require operational checks of the engine 
overspeed trip system.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the one comment received. The National 
Transportation Safety Board supports the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed, except that we determined to not incorporate by 
reference the engine manuals for the procedures for operational checks 
of the engine overspeed trip system. Instead, we have included those 
procedures in the AD. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (77 FR 14312, March 9, 2012) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 14312, March 9, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will 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 will 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 AD for one operational check of the 
overspeed trip system to U.S. operators, to be $15,980.

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.

[[Page 32010]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2012-11-07 Honeywell International, Inc.: Amendment 39-17070; Docket 
No. FAA-2012-0195; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-08-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 5, 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 paragraphs for your engine as follows:

(1) ALF502L-2C Engines

    (i) With engine operating at 65 percent NL (N1) speed (28 to 30 
percent if overspeed controller 2-303-052-04 or later is installed), 
pull toggle lever of cockpit OVERSPEED TEST/RESET switch and hold in 
the OVERSPEED TEST position.
    (ii) Activation of the engine overspeed system shall be verified 
by:
    (A) Engine OVERSPEED TRIP light illuminated in cockpit.
    (B) Reduction of engine NH (N2) speed.
    (C) When engine NH (N2) speed begins to decrease, retract engine 
power lever to fuel cutoff position and turn off fuel boost pumps.
    (D) Release lever of engine cockpit OVERSPEED TEST/RESET Switch.
    (E) When engine is completely shut down, reset the engine 
Overspeed System by momentarily holding the engine cockpit OVERSPEED 
TEST/RESET switch on the RESET position.
    (F) If engine does not shut down, manually shut down engine and 
perform a detailed functional test of the overspeed system. Guidance 
on performing a detailed functional test of the overspeed system can 
be found in the applicable engine maintenance manual instructions.

(2) ALF502R-3; ALF502R-3A; ALF502R-5, and LF507-1H Engines

    (i) With engine operating at ground idle, set engine NL (N1) 
speed to 30 to 35 percent.
    (ii) Press cockpit OVERSPEED TEST switch and hold.
    (iii) Activation of the engine overspeed system shall be 
verified by:
    (A) Engine OVERSPEED TRIP light illuminated in cockpit.
    (B) Shutdown of the engine [zero NH (N2) speed].
    (iv) Release cockpit OVERSPEED TEST switch and retract power 
lever to fuel cutoff position.
    (v) When the engine is completely shut down, reset the engine 
overspeed system.
    (vi) If engine does not shut down, manually shut down engine and 
perform a detailed functional test of the overspeed system. Guidance 
on performing a detailed functional test of the overspeed system can 
be found in the applicable engine manual instructions.

(3) LF507-1F Engines

    (i) With engine operating at ground idle, set engine NL (N1) 
speed to 30 to 35 percent.
    (ii) Activate cockpit overspeed test circuit (GRND TEST ENG 
OVSPD).
    (iii) After NL (N1) speed begins to decay, retard the throttle 
to the fuel cutoff position.
    (iv) Verify the following conditions:
    (A) Engine shutdown.
    (B) Overspeed system light (ENG OVSPD) is illuminated in 
cockpit.
    (v) Reset overspeed system circuit power.
    (vi) If engine does not shut down, manually shut down engine and 
perform a detailed functional test of the overspeed system. Guidance 
on performing a detailed functional test of the overspeed system can 
be found in the applicable engine manual instructions.

(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, as 
specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
    (2) For ALF502R-3; ALF502R-3A; ALF502R-5; and LF507-1H engines, 
perform repetitive checks of the overspeed trip system once every 
flight day, as specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD.
    (3) For LF507-1F engines, perform repetitive checks of the 
overspeed trip system once every flight day, as specified in 
paragraph (f)(3) 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

    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].

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 23, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-13082 Filed 5-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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