Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 55 (Thursday, March 21, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10403-10405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05178]



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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 55 / Thursday, March 21, 2019 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 10403]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0719; Product Identifier 2016-NE-24-AD; Amendment 
39-19589; AD 2019-05-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-20-01 for 
certain Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) TFE731-20 and TFE731-
40 turbofan engines. AD 2017-20-01 required 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 AD adds 
turbofan engine models to the applicability and removes the Honeywell 
TFE731-20 turbofan engine model from the applicability. This AD 
requires removal of affected fan disks and replacement with parts 
eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by two fan disks found 
with surface rollovers in the dovetail slot area. We are issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 25, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
November 2, 2017 (82 FR 45173, September 28, 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 (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. It is also available on 
the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0719.

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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Document Operations, 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 Boulevard, 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 to supersede AD 2017-20-01, Amendment 39-19058 (82 FR 45173, 
September 28, 2017), (``AD 2017-20-01''). AD 2017-20-01 applied to 
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. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
September 14, 2018 (83 FR 46664). The NPRM was prompted by two fan 
disks found with surface rollovers in the dovetail slot area. The NPRM 
proposed to require removing the Honeywell TFE731-20 turbofan engine 
from the applicability and prohibit the installation of affected fan 
disks that do not have ``T43374'' marked adjacent to the fan disk P/N 
or S/N. The NPRM also proposed adding Honeywell TFE731-20R, -20AR, -
20BR, and TFE731-40AR, -40BR, and -40R turbofan engines to the 
applicability. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Correct P/N Typographical Error

    Honeywell requested that we correct the P/N from ``P/N 3060267-2'' 
to ``P/N 3060287-2'' in the ``Actions Since AD 2017-20-01 Was Issued'' 
paragraph and the Installation Prohibition paragraph.
    We agree that we had a typographical error in the ``Actions Since 
AD 2017-20-01 Was Issued'' paragraph and the Installation Prohibition 
paragraph of the NPRM. We did not update the ``Actions Since AD 2017-
20-01 Was Issued'' paragraph because this language is not included in 
this final rule. We, however, updated the P/N in the Installation 
Prohibition paragraph of this AD to ``P/N 3060287-2.''

Request To Update the Location of the Marking

    Honeywell requested that we update the location references in the 
AD of the ``T43374'' marking from the ``engine P/N or S/N'' to the 
``fan disk P/N or S/N.''
    We agree. Because we want to maintain technical correctness and 
consistency with the service information, we updated the location of 
the ``T43374'' marking from ``engine P/N or S/N'' to ``fan disk P/N or 
S/N'' throughout this AD.

Request To Update Applicability

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requested that we 
update the applicability to include all Honeywell TFE731 engines for 
which the affected parts are eligible. EASA reasoned that the 
consequence of the applicability is that the Installation Prohibition, 
paragraph (h), of this AD, is not valid for those engines that do not 
have the affected parts installed. The commenter indicated that only 
revising

[[Page 10404]]

the applicability paragraph will ensure that no spare (or removed) 
parts are installed on any engine that does not have an affected part 
installed.
    We partially agree. We agree that the applicability paragraph will 
result in limiting the Installation Prohibition to only those engines 
that have the affected fan disk installed on the effective date of the 
AD. To be consistent with the Applicability paragraph, we revised the 
Installation Prohibition paragraph of this AD to refer only to engines 
identified in the Applicability paragraph of this AD.
    We disagree with rewording the Applicability paragraph of this AD 
because this paragraph meets the safety requirements of this AD. 
Further, revising the applicability of this AD would require renoticing 
the NPRM and therefore delay the effectivity of this AD. We did not 
change this AD.

Support for the AD

    An individual commenter expressed support for the NPRM as written.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

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.

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 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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary fan disk 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. We estimate that six 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 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 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 10405]]

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

2019-05-07 Honeywell International Inc. (Type Certificate previously 
held by AlliedSignal Inc.): Amendment 39-19589; Docket No. FAA-2018-
0719; Product Identifier 2016-NE-24-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 25, 2019.

(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 fan disk 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. 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 3060287-2, unless 
``T43374'' is marked adjacent to the fan disk P/N or S/N onto any 
engine identified in the Applicability paragraph of this AD.

(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 the Accomplishment Instructions, 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 fan disk 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 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 certification office, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (k) 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

    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].

(l) 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
November 2, 2017.
    (i) Honeywell Service Bulletin TFE731-72-5256, Revision 0, dated 
October 7, 2016.
    (ii) [Reserved].
    (4) For Honeywell 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); 602-365-
3099 (International Direct); website: www.myaerospace.com; email: 
[email protected].
    (5) You may view this service information at 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.
    (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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 March 14, 2019.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-05178 Filed 3-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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