96-4242. Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc., ALF502L Series Turbofan Engines  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 41 (Thursday, February 29, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 7692-7694]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-4242]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 94-ANE-56; Amendment 39-9513; AD 96-04-02]
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal Inc., ALF502L 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 Textron Lycoming) ALF502L 
    series turbofan engines, that establishes reduced retirement life 
    limits for stage 1 and stage 3-7 compressors disks, and stage 2 turbine 
    disks, and provides a drawdown schedule for disks already beyond the 
    reduced retirement life limits. This amendment is prompted by new life 
    analyses of these components. The actions specified by this AD are 
    intended to prevent disk failure, which could result in an inflight 
    engine shutdown and extensive engine damage.
    
    DATES: Effective April 29, 1996.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of April 29, 1996.
    
    ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
    obtained from AlliedSignal Engines, 111 South 34th Street, Phoenix, AZ 
    85072; telephone (602) 365-2493, fax (602) 365-2210. This information 
    may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
    
    [[Page 7693]]
    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: Eugene Triozzi, Aerospace Engineer, 
    Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
    New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617) 
    238-7148, fax (617) 238-7199.
    
    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 
    Textron Lycoming) ALF502L series turbofan engines was published in the 
    Federal Register on February 28, 1995 (60 FR 10811). That action 
    proposed to establish reduced retirement life limits for stage 1 and 
    stage 3-7 compressors disks, and stage 2 turbine disks, and provide a 
    drawdown schedule for disks already beyond the reduced retirement life 
    limits. These actions must be performed in accordance with AlliedSignal 
    Engines Service Bulletin (SB) No. ALF 502 72-0004, Revision 12, dated 
    November 30, 1994, that describes reduced retirement lives for affected 
    components; and AlliedSignal Engines SB No. ALF502L 72-281, dated 
    November 30, 1994, that describes a drawdown schedule for disks already 
    beyond the reduced retirement life limits.
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
    proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
    has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
    adoption of the rule as proposed.
        There are approximately 184 engines of the affected design in the 
    worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 50 engines installed on 
    aircraft of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, and that the 
    prorated reduced service life cost based on the cost of a new disk is 
    approximately $16,400 per engine. Based on these figures, the total 
    cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $820,000.
        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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
    
    
    Sec. 39.13  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
    airworthiness directive:
    
    94-04-02 AlliedSignal Inc.: Amendment 39-9513. Docket 94- ANE-56.
    
        Applicability: AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly Textron Lycoming) 
    ALF502L, L-2, L-2A, L-2C, and L-3 turbofan engines installed on but 
    not limited to Canadair Challenger CL600 series aircraft.
    
        Note: This airworthiness directive (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 use the 
    authority provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the 
    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address 
    either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
    condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe 
    condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an 
    assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe 
    condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any 
    modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the 
    applicability of this AD.
    
        Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent disk failure, which could result in an inflight 
    engine shutdown and extensive engine damage, accomplish the 
    following:
        (a) Remove from service stage 1 and stage 3-7 compressor disks, 
    and stage 2 turbine disks, in accordance with the drawdown schedule 
    and procedures described in AlliedSignal Engines Service Bulletin 
    (SB) No. ALF502L 72- 281, dated November 30, 1994.
        (b) This AD establishes new, reduced retirement life limits for 
    stage 1 and stage 3-7 compressor disks, and stage 2 turbine disks, 
    in accordance with AlliedSignal Engines SB No. ALF 502 72-0004, 
    Revision 12, dated November 30, 1994.
        (c) 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, Engine 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, Engine Certification Office.
        Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
    if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.
    
        (d) 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.
        (e) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
    with the following AlliedSignal Engines SB's:
    
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                 Document No.                Pages          Revision                           Date                 
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ALF502L 72-281........................     1-4  Original...............  November 30, 1994.                     
    Total pages: 4.                                                                                                 
    ALF 502 72-0004.......................    1-23  12.....................  November 30, 1994.                     
    Total pages: 23.                                                                                                
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    [[Page 7694]]
    
        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 Engines, 111 South 34th 
    Street, Phoenix, AZ 85072; telephone (602) 365-2493, 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.
        (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 29, 1996.
    
        Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 2, 1996.
    Jay J. Pardee,
    Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 96-4242 Filed 2-28-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
4/29/1996
Published:
02/29/1996
Department:
Transportation Department
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
96-4242
Dates:
Effective April 29, 1996.
Pages:
7692-7694 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 94-ANE-56, Amendment 39-9513, AD 96-04-02
PDF File:
96-4242.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13