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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0394; Project Identifier AD-2019-00141-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD)
for all Honeywell International Inc. ALF502L, ALF502L-2, ALF502L-2A,
ALF502L-2C, ALF502L-3, ALF502R-3, ALF502R-3A, ALF502R-4, ALF502R-5,
ALF502R-6, LF507-1F, and LF507-1H model turbofan engines. This proposed
AD was prompted by a report of an engine experiencing an uncontained
release of low-pressure turbine (LPT) blades. This proposed AD would
require initial and repetitive visual inspections of the overspeed fuel
solenoid valve assembly and the fuel filter outlet. Depending on the
results of these inspections, the AD may require inspection of the
adjacent fuel system tube assemblies as well as replacement or overhaul
of the overspeed fuel solenoid valve assembly. This proposed AD would
also require periodic overhaul of the overspeed fuel solenoid valve
assembly. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by June
18, 2020.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in
14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the
instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Honeywell
International Inc., 111 S 34th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034-2802,
United States; phone: 800-601-3099; website: https://aerospace.honeywell.
com/en#/. You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0394;
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 NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Matzke, Aerospace Engineer,
Los
Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-
4137; phone: 562-627-5312; fax: 562-627-5210; email:
mark.matzke@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2020-0394;
Project Identifier AD-2019-00141-E" at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM
because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information as described in the
following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive
verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552),
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to
this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is
customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and
that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you
clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page
of your submission containing CBI as "PROPIN." The FAA will treat
such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will
not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing
CBI should be sent to Mark Matzke, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles ACO
Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137. Any
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Discussion
The FAA received a report of an engine experiencing an uncontained
release of the LPT blades. Subsequent analysis by the manufacturer
determined that fuel system coking and/or contamination may slow the
response time and operation of the overspeed fuel solenoid valve
assembly resulting in the failure to arrest an engine overspeed. As a
result, engine overspeed may lead to uncontained release of the LPT
blades. This condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained
LPT blade release, damage to the engine, and loss of the aircraft.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Honeywell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) ALF/LF-72-
1120, Revision 1, dated January 6, 2020. The ASB describes procedures
for a one-time inspection of the overspeed fuel solenoid valve
assembly, fuel tube, and dual heater oil cooler.
The FAA reviewed Honeywell Temporary Revision (TR) No. 72-1022,
dated October 14, 2019, to Honeywell Engine Manual Report No. 286.1,
Revision 27, dated August 27, 2004. The TR describes procedures for
repetitive overhaul of overspeed fuel solenoid valve assemblies
installed on Honeywell ALF502R model engines.
The FAA reviewed Honeywell TR No. 72-202, dated October 10, 2019,
to Honeywell Engine Manual Report No. 507F.1, Revision 6, dated August
16, 2013. The TR describes procedures for repetitive overhaul of
overspeed fuel solenoid valve assemblies installed on Honeywell LF507-
1F model engines.
The FAA reviewed Honeywell TR No. 72-177, dated October 10, 2019,
to Honeywell Engine Manual Report No. 507H.1, Revision 5, dated
September 30, 1999. The TR describes procedures for repetitive overhaul
of overspeed fuel solenoid valve assemblies installed on Honeywell
LF507-1H model engines.
The FAA reviewed Honeywell TR No. 72-57, dated October 29, 2019, to
Honeywell Overhaul Manual 72-07-07, Revision 1, dated January 31, 2001.
The TR describes procedures for repetitive overhaul of overspeed fuel
solenoid valve assemblies installed on Honeywell ALF502L model engines.
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.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Wright Components, Inc, Component Maintenance
Manual (CMM) 73-19-01, Initial Revision, dated July 30, 1982. The CMM
describes procedures for overhauling three-way two-position solenoid
operated fuel valves, part number 2-303-175-01.
The FAA reviewed Honeywell Service Bulletin (SB) ALF502-72-0001,
Revision 24, dated October 29, 2019. The SB describes procedures for
repetitive visual inspections of overspeed fuel solenoid valve
assemblies installed on Honeywell ALF502R model engines.
The FAA reviewed Honeywell SB LF507-1F-72-1, Revision 10, dated
October 29, 2019. The SB describes procedures for repetitive visual
inspections of overspeed fuel solenoid valve assemblies installed on
Honeywell LF507-1F model engines.
The FAA reviewed Honeywell SB LF507-1H-72-1, Revision 9, dated
October 18, 2019. The SB describes procedures for repetitive visual
inspections of overspeed fuel solenoid valve assemblies installed on
Honeywell LF507-1H model engines.
The FAA reviewed Honeywell SB ALF502-72-0005, Revision 17, dated
October 29, 2019. The SB describes procedures for repetitive visual
inspections of overspeed fuel solenoid valve assemblies installed on
Honeywell ALF502L model engines.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive visual
inspections of the overspeed fuel solenoid valve assembly and the fuel
filter outlet. Depending on the results of the inspection, this AD may
require inspection of the adjacent fuel system tube assemblies as well
as replacement or overhaul of the overspeed fuel solenoid valve
assembly. This proposed AD would also require periodic overhaul of the
overspeed fuel solenoid valve assembly.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
Honeywell ASB ALF/LF-72-1120, Revision 1, dated January 6, 2020,
uses the term "flights" and recommends installing the improved
clamping of the overspeed fuel solenoid valve assembly to the in-line
fuel filter housing assembly introduced in AlliedSignal Aerospace SB
ALF502 73-0131, Revision 3, dated September 8, 1995, prior to re-
installation. This proposed AD uses "engine cycles" and does not
require installing the improved clamping of the overspeed fuel solenoid
valve assembly to the in-line fuel filter housing assembly as this is
not related to the unsafe condition of this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 210 engines
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
| Visual inspection of the fuel
solenoid valve, fuel filter outlet, and adjacent fuel system tube
assemblies |
2 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$170 |
$0
|
$170
|
$35,700
|
| Overhaul of overspeed fuel solenoid
valve assembly |
0.25 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $21.25 |
7,700
|
7,721.25
|
1,621,462.50
|
The FAA estimates the following costs
to do any necessary overhauls
or replacements that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these overhauls or replacements:
On-Condition Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
| Removal, Inspection, and Cleaning
of the engine fuel tube assemblies |
2 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$170 |
$0
|
$170
|
| Replacement or overhaul of overspeed
fuel solenoid valve assembly |
0.25 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $21.25 |
7,700
|
7,721.25
|
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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
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