[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66548-66550]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27433]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NE-21-AD; Amendment 39-12931; AD 2002-22-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International, Inc.,
(Formerly AlliedSignal, Inc. and Textron Lycoming) LF507 and ALF502R
Series Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to Honeywell International, Inc., (formerly AlliedSignal,
Inc. and Textron Lycoming) LF507 and ALF502R series turbofan engines
with combustion chamber liner assembly part number (P/N) 2-131-520-03
installed. This action requires initial and repetitive borescope
inspections of the combustion chamber liner assembly to determine if
the combustion liner assembly condition is acceptable for continued
operation, requires the removal from service of certain serial number
(SN) combustion chamber liner assemblies, and provides an optional
terminating action to the
[[Page 66549]]
repetitive borescope inspections. This amendment is prompted by three
reports of separation of the combustor dome baffle from the combustion
chamber liner assembly resulting in engine combustion chamber liner
assembly burn through. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
prevent separation of the combustor dome baffle from the combustion
chamber liner assembly and the flow of hot combustor gases on oil and
fuel lines which could result in engine fire, in-flight shutdown, and
damage to the airplane.
DATES: Effective November 18, 2002. The incorporation by reference of
certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of
the Federal Register as of November 18, 2002.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before December 31, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NE-21-AD, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at
this location, by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may also be sent via
the Internet using the following address: ``[email protected]''.
Comments sent via the Internet must contain the docket number in the
subject line.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Honeywell International, Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc. and Textron
Lycoming), Attn: Data Distribution, M/S 64-3/2101-201, PO Box 29003,
Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003, telephone: (602) 365-2493; fax: (602) 365-5577.
This information may be examined, by appointment, at the FAA, New
England Region, Office of the Regional 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: Robert Baitoo, Aerospace Engineer, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (LAACO), FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone
(562) 627-5245; fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received three reports of
combustion liner assemblies that have been found with burned and
missing material. One combustion chamber liner assembly that burned
through was found at routine maintenance, one manifested itself as a
low thrust condition, and one resulted in an engine in-flight shutdown.
Some combustion liner assemblies may have inferior baffle attachment
welds. To date, there have been no in-flight engine fires due to
separation of the combustor dome baffle from the combustion chamber
liner assembly. However, the FAA has determined that LF507 and ALF502R
series turbofan engines with combustion chamber liner assembly part
number (P/N) 2-131-520-03 installed could experience burn through due
to separation of the combustor dome baffle and the flow of hot
combustor gases on oil and fuel lines. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in engine fire, in-flight shutdown, and damage
to the airplane.
Manufacturer's Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of
Honeywell International, Inc., (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc. and Textron
Lycoming) alert service bulletin (ASB).
[sbull] ALF/LF A72-1076, Revision 1, dated August 30, 2002. That
ASB describes initial and repetitive borescope inspection procedures of
the combustion chamber liner assembly part number (P/N) 2-131-520-03.
That ASB also lists combustion chamber liner assembly SN's that require
removal within 250 cycles from date of receipt of that service bulletin
revision (Revision 1).
FAA's Determination of an Unsafe Condition and Required Actions
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Honeywell International, Inc., (formerly
AlliedSignal, Inc. and Textron Lycoming) LF507 and ALF502R series
turbofan engines of the same type design, this AD is being issued to
prevent separation of the combustor dome baffle from the combustion
chamber liner assembly and the flow of hot combustor gases on oil and
fuel lines which could result in an engine fire, an in-flight shutdown,
and damage to the airplane. The actions are required to be done in
accordance with the alert service bulletin described previously.
Immediate Adoption of This AD
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2002-NE-21-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Analysis
This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined
in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly,
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication
of this final rule.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action''
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this
action involves an emergency regulation
[[Page 66550]]
under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26,
1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise
would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a
final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules
Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
2002-22-06 Honeywell International, Inc., (formerly AlliedSignal,
Inc. and Textron Lycoming): Amendment 39-12931. Docket No. 2002-NE-
21-AD.
Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable
to Honeywell International, Inc., (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc. and
Textron Lycoming) LF507 and ALF502R series turbofan engines with
combustion chamber liner assembly part number (P/N) 2-131-520-03
installed. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, BAE
Systems Avro 146 and BAE 146 series aircraft.
Note 1: This AD applies to each engine identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For engines that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Compliance with this AD is required as indicated,
unless already done.
To prevent separation of the combustor dome baffle from the
combustion chamber liner assembly and the flow of hot combustor
gases on oil and fuel lines which could result in an engine fire, an
in-flight shutdown, and damage to the airplane, do the following:
Removal Requirements
(a) Within 250 cycles-in-service (CIS) after the effective date
of this AD, remove from service engines that have combustion chamber
liner assemblies, P/N 2-131-520-03, listed by serial number (SN) in
Table 1 of this AD. Replace that SN combustion chamber liner
assembly with a serviceable part. Table 1 follows:
Table 1.--Affected Combustion Chamber Liner Assemblies
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Serial Nos. to be removed from service
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
990992700016.
990992700018 thru 990992700028.
990992700077 thru 990992700078.
990992700081.
990992700083.
990992700085 thru 990992700090.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial and Repetitive Inspections
(b) On engines that have combustion chamber liner assemblies
with more than 2,000 CIS on the effective date of this AD, perform
an initial borescope inspection of combustion chamber liner assembly
P/N 2-131-520-03 within 500 CIS after the effective date of this AD
in accordance with paragraphs 2(A)(1) through 2(A)(8) of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Honeywell alert service bulletin
(ASB) ALF/LF A72-1076, Revision 1, dated August 30, 2002.
(c) Thereafter, at each successive 500 CIS, perform a borescope
inspection of combustion chamber liner assembly P/N 2-131-520-03 in
accordance with paragraphs 2(A)(1) through 2(A)(8) of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Honeywell ASB ALF/LF A72-1076,
Revision 1, dated August 30, 2002.
Optional Terminating Action
(d) Replacement of combustion chamber liner assembly, P/N 2-131-
520-03, with the new improved durability combustion chamber liner
assembly, P/N 2-131-520-04, constitutes terminating action to the
borescope inspection requirements of paragraph (c) of this AD.
Information regarding the replacement of combustion chamber liner
assembly P/N 2-131-520-03 with P/N 2-131-520-04 can be found in
Honeywell service bulletin ALF/LF 72-1078, dated June 28, 2002.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(e) 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 (LAACO). Operators must submit their requests through an
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add
comments and then send it to the Manager, LAACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive,
if any, may be obtained from the LAACO.
Special Flight Permits
(f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Sec. Sec. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be done.
Documents That Have Been Incorporated by Reference
(g) The initial and repetitive borescope inspections of
combustion chamber liner assembly, PN 2-131-520-03, must be done in
accordance with the Honeywell International, Inc. ASB ALF/LF A72-
1076, Revision 1, dated August 30, 2002. 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 Honeywell International, Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal,
Inc. and Textron Lycoming), Attn: Data Distribution, M/S 64-3/2101-
201, P.O. Box 29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9003, telephone: (602) 365-
2493; fax: (602) 365-5577. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New
England Region, Office of the Regional 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.
Effective Date
(h) This amendment becomes effective on November 18, 2002.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 22, 2002.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-27433 Filed 10-31-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P