Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. TFE731-3 Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19343-19344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-8827]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-ANE-42; Amendment 39-9181; AD 95-07-02]


Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc. TFE731-3 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Garrett Turbine Engine 
Company) TFE731-3 series turbofan engines, that requires the removal of 
suspect low pressure turbine (LPT) disks due to their susceptibility to 
creep fatigue. This amendment is prompted by reports of LPT disks that 
have separated through the disk web due to creep fatigue. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent an LPT disk web 
separation, which may result in an uncontained engine failure and 
damage to the aircraft.

DATES: Effective on June 19, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 19, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from AlliedSignal Inc., Aviation Services Division, Data 
Distribution, Dept. 6403/2102-201, P.O. Box 29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038-
9003; telephone (602) 365-2548, fax (602) 365-2210. This information 
may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New 
England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 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: Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone 
(310) 627-5246; fax (310) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly 
Garrett Turbine Engine Company) TFE731-3 series turbofan engines was 
published in the Federal Register on November 29, 1994 (59 FR 60922). 
That action proposed to require removal of suspect specific serial 
numbered first and second stage low pressure turbine (LPT) disks in 
accordance with AlliedSignal Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
TFE731-A72-3544, dated October 8, 1993, and ASB No. TFE731-A72-3557, 
dated May 12, 1994.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal. The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) has determined 
that the average labor rate has increased since publication of the NPRM 
to $60 per work hour. The economic analysis of this final rule has been 
changed accordingly. The FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes 
described previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will 
not increase the scope of the AD. [[Page 19344]] 
    There are approximately 350 engines with the affected serial 
numbered disks in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 175 
engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry will be affected by this 
AD, that it will take approximately 10 work hours per engine to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $18,000 per 
engine. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $3,255,000.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action: (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); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

95-07-02  AlliedSignal Inc.: Amendment 39-9181. Docket 94-ANE-42.

    Applicability: AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Garrett Turbine 
Engine Company) TFE731-3, -3A, -3AR, -3B, -3BR, and -3R turbofan 
engine models installed on but not limited to Avions Marcel Dassault 
Falcon 50, Lockheed 1329-23, -25 series (731 Jetstar, Jetstar II), 
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Ltd. 1124 (Westwind), Raytheon 
Corporate Jets Inc. (formerly British Aerospace) (BAe) DH/HS/BH 125 
series, Learjet 55 series, Cessna 650 Citation III, VI, Sabreliner 
NA-265 series (Sabreliner 65). This airworthiness directive (AD) is 
not applicable to TFE731-3A-300G and TFE731-3AR-200G engines 
installed on IAI 1125 Westwind Astra aircraft.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a low pressure turbine (LPT) disk web separation, 
which may result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the 
aircraft, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove from service first and second stage LPT disks, with 
Part Numbers (P/N) 3072351-(), 3072542-(), 3073113-(), and 3073114-
(), where () denotes any dash number, identified by serial number in 
the Compliance Sections of AlliedSignal Aerospace Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) No. TFE731-A72-3544, dated October 8, 1993, and 
AlliedSignal Aerospace ASB No. TFE731-A72-3557, dated May 12, 1994, 
within 1,500 hours time in service (TIS) after the effective date of 
this AD, or at the next removal of the LPT assembly, whichever 
occurs first, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
AlliedSignal Aerospace ASB No. TFE731-A72-3544, dated October 8, 
1993, and AlliedSignal Aerospace ASB No. TFE731-A72-3557, dated May 
12, 1994, and replace with serviceable disks.
    (b) 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. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) The removal and replacement of the affected disks shall be 
done in accordance with the following AlliedSignal Aerospace ASB's:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Document No.                      Pages      Date    
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ASB No. TFE731-A72-3544...........................    1-10  Oct. 8,     
                                                             1993.      
  Total Pages: 10.                                                      
ASB No. TFE731-A72-3557...........................    1-12  May 12,     
                                                             1994.      
  Total Pages: 12.                                                      
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    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 AlliedSignal Inc., Aviation 
Services Division, Data Distribution, Dept. 6403/2102-201, P.O. Box 
29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003; telephone (602) 365-2548, fax (602) 
365-2210. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Assistant Chief 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 19, 1995.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 22, 1995.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-8827 Filed 4-17-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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