[Federal Register: August 17, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 157)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 41327-41328]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17au09-1]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0555; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-18-AD; Amendment 39-15996;
AD 2009-17-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-10 and TPE331-11 Series
Turboprop Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Honeywell International
Inc. TPE331-10 and TPE331-11 series turboprop engines. This AD requires removing certain first
stage turbine disks from service. This AD results from a report of an uncontained failure of a first
stage turbine disk that had a metallurgical defect. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained
failure of the first stage turbine disk and damage to the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 1, 2009. We must receive any comments on this AD
by October 16, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for
sending your comments electronically.
• Mail: U.S. Docket Management Facility, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
• Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Contact Honeywell International Inc., 111 S. 34th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034-2802; Web site:
http://portal.honeywell.com for the service information identified in this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd.,
Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; e-mail: joseph.costa@faa.gov; telephone (562) 627-5246; fax (562)
627-5210.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In May 2008, we received a report of an uncontained
separation of a first stage turbine disk, part number (P/N) 3107079-1. The disk was installed in a
TPE331-11U turboprop engine. That disk, which has a 20,000-cycle life, failed after accumulating
8,314 cycles-in-service. The fracture revealed a large melt-related oxide cluster inclusion in the web
area of the disk, which occurred during the forging alloy melting process. The disk was produced
from Waspaloy material, from Heat Lot 9-7121, which was melted by Special Metals in 1980. We
have determined that five turbine disks that were next to the failed disk during the billet-forging
process may also contain part of the same melt-related oxide cluster inclusion. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in uncontained failure of the first stage turbine disks made from these billets
and damage to the airplane.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other Honeywell
International Inc. TPE331-10 and TPE331-11 series turboprop engines of the same type design with
the affected first stage turbine disks installed. For that reason, we are issuing this AD to prevent
uncontained failure of the first stage turbine disk and damage to the airplane. This AD requires
removal from service of first stage turbine disks, P/Ns 3101520-1 and 3107079-1, serial numbers 2-
03501-2299, 2-03501-2300, 2-03501-2301, 2-03501-2302, and 2-03501-2304, within 25 flight hours
or 25 cycles-in-service after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD, we have found
that notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that
good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment; however, we invite you to send us any written relevant
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include ''AD Docket No. FAA-2009-0555; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-18-AD'' in
the subject line of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify it.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including
any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive
verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the Web site,
anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, including, if provided, the name of the
individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor
union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at
the Docket Operations office 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 street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
the same as the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after receipt.
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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
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 the 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.
You may get a copy of this summary at the address listed under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Under 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.
§ 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
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AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
FAA
www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/
Aircraft Certification Service
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html
2009-17-05 Honeywell International Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal Inc., Garrett Engine Division;
Garrett Turbine Engine Company; and AiResearch Manufacturing Company of Arizona):
Amendment 39-15996. Docket No. FAA-2009-0555; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-18-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 1, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-10 and TPE331-11 series turboprop
engines with a first stage turbine disk, P/N 3101520-1 or 3107079-1, serial number 2-03501-2299, 2-
03501-2300, 2-03501-2301, 2-03501-2302, or 2-03501-2304 installed. These engines are installed
on, but not limited to, the following airplanes: British Aerospace Jetstream 3201 series, Cessna
Aircraft Company Model 441 Conquest, Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA) C-212 series,
Dornier Luftfahrt Dornier 228 series, Hawker Beechcraft (formerly Raytheon, formerly Beech) B100,
C90 and E90, M7 Aerospace (formerly Fairchild) SA226 and SA227 series (Swearingen Merlin and
Metro series), Mitsubishi MU-2B series (MU-2 series), PZL M18 series, and Twin Commander 680
and 690 series (Jetprop Commander).
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report of an uncontained failure of a first stage turbine disk that had a
metallurgical defect. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the first stage turbine
disk and damage to the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the
compliance times specified unless the actions have already been done.
Removal of First Stage Turbine Disks From Service
(f) Within 25 flight hours or 25 cycles-in-service after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs first, remove from service first stage turbine disks, P/N 3101520-1 and P/N 3107079-1, serial
numbers 2-03501-2299, 2-03501-2300, 2-03501-2301, 2-03501-2302, and 2-03501-2304.
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Installation Prohibition
(g) After the effective date of this AD, do not install first stage turbine disks, P/N 3101520-1 and
P/N 3107079-1, serial numbers 2-03501-2299, 2-03501-2300, 2-03501-2301, 2-03501-2302, and 2-
03501-2304, into any engine.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(h) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, has the authority to approve
alternative methods of compliance for this AD if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19.
Related Information
(i) Contact Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; e-mail:
joseph.costa@faa.gov; telephone (562) 627-5246; fax (562) 627-5210, for more information about
this AD.
(j) Honeywell International Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. TPE331-72-A2150, dated June 13,
2008, pertains to the subject of this AD. Contact Honeywell International Inc., 111 S. 34th Street,
Phoenix, AZ 85034-2802; Web site: http://portal.honeywell.com, for a copy of this service
information, and for coordinating disk returns with the Honeywell Complete Customer Care Center.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 11, 2009.
Karen Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
