[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 105 (Thursday, May 31, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32009-32010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing 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:
robert.baitoo@faa.gov.
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:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (77 FR 14312, March 9, 2012) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
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: robert.baitoo@faa.gov.
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