Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45173-45175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20776]



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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 187 / Thursday, September 28, 2017 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 45173]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9451; Product Identifier 2016-NE-24-AD; Amendment 
39-19058; AD 2017-20-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) TFE731-20 and TFE731-40 
turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by two fan disks found with a 
manufacturing-caused flaw. This AD requires removing affected fan disks 
and replacing fan disks with a part eligible for installation. We are 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 2, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 2, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (781) 238-7125. It is 
also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9451.

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-2016-
9451; 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 final rule, 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: 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: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Honeywell TFE731-20 and 
TFE731-40 turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on March 7, 2017 (82 FR 12755). The NPRM was prompted by two fan disks 
found with a manufacturing-caused flaw. The NPRM proposed to require 
removing the affected fan disks, performing a one-time inspection, and 
replacing fan disks that fail inspection. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent uncontained failure of the fan disks, damage to the engine, and 
damage to the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We have considered the comment received.

Miscellaneous Comment

    We received a comment regarding Honeywell as a company that was not 
relevant to this AD. No further discussion is required.

Changes to This AD

    Based on further review, we made the following changes to this AD.
    We corrected the cost per product estimate under ``On-condition 
costs'' in the Costs of Compliance section of the NPRM from $300,510 to 
$50,085 in this AD. The cost per product in the NPRM incorrectly 
estimated the cost for six engines rather than for one engine. On 
further review, we also redefined the work hours needed to install the 
new or reworked fan disk. The 8 work hours to inspect the fan disk were 
listed as a separate item in the NPRM but, in this final rule, we added 
these work hours to the estimated cost of installing the reworked or 
new fan disk. The overall estimated cost of this work per engine 
remains the same.
    We corrected the product identification from ``Honeywell 
International Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by AlliedSignal 
Inc., Garrett Engine Division; Garrett Turbine Engine Company; and 
AiResearch Manufacturing Company of Arizona)'' to ``Honeywell 
International Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by AlliedSignal 
Inc.).''
    We removed paragraph (g)(4) of the NPRM which required inspection 
of the removed fan disks in accordance with paragraph 3.D.(2) in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Honeywell SB TFE731-72-5256, Revision 0, 
dated October 7, 2016. Although fan disks may be returned to Honeywell 
for inspection and rework to become eligible for installation, that is 
not a requirement of this AD.
    We revised the definition of ``parts eligible for installation'' in 
paragraph (g) of this AD to read: ``For the purposes of this AD, parts 
eligible for installation are: (i) Fan disks not listed in the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Table 9, in Honeywell SB TFE731-72-5256, 
Revision 0, dated October 7, 2016; or (ii) fan disks listed in Table 9 
that have 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.'' This definition 
clarifies that fan disks with a P/N not affected by this AD, as well as 
parts that have been reworked and remarked, are eligible for 
installation.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the

[[Page 45174]]

public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed for minor 
editorial changes and the additional changes explained above. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Honeywell Service Bulletin (SB) TFE731-72-5256, 
Revision 0, dated October 7, 2016. The SB identifies affected fan disks 
by serial number and describes procedures for removing, inspecting, and 
replacing the fan disks. This service information is available by the 
means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

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

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove fan disk.......................  8 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $680         $41,480
                                         hour = $680.
Install reworked or new fan disk......  26 work-hours x $85 per                0           2,210         134,810
                                         hour = $2,210.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary disk 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
required inspection. We estimate that 6 engines will need this 
replacement:

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

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this 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 
appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 
Policy and Innovation Division.

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 to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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.

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):

2017-20-01 Honeywell International Inc. (Type Certificate previously 
held by AlliedSignal Inc.): Amendment 39-19058; Docket No. FAA-2016-
9451; Product Identifier 2016-NE-24-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 2, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) 
TFE731-20 and TFE731-40 turbofan engines, with a fan disk, part 
number (P/N) 3060287-2, and a

[[Page 45175]]

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.

(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, 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 fan disk using the following criteria:
    (1) Remove fan disks with 9,000 cycles-since-new (CSN) or more 
on 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, on 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, on 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 all removed fan disks with a part eligible for 
installation.

(h) 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, parts eligible for installation 
are:
    (i) fan disks not listed in the Accomplishment Instructions, 
Table 9, in Honeywell SB TFE731-72-5256, Revision 0, dated October 
7, 2016; or
    (ii) fan disks listed in Table 9, in Honeywell SB TFE731-72-
5256, Revision 0, dated October 7, 2016, that have 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.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO 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 Los Angeles ACO Branch, send it to the attention 
of the person identified in paragraph (j) 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.

(j) Related Information

    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].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Honeywell Service Bulletin TFE731-72-5256, Revision 0, dated 
October 7, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Honeywell 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 781-238-7125.
    (5) You may view this service information at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 21, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20776 Filed 9-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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