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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 15, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13764-13765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05704]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-4866; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-33-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. Turboprop 
and Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) TPE331 model turboprop 
engines and TSE331-3U model turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was 
prompted by the discovery of cracks in a 2nd stage compressor impeller 
during a routine shop visit. This proposed AD would require removal of 
the 2nd stage compressor impeller. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
failure of the compressor impeller, uncontained part release, damage to 
the engine, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 16, 2016.

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 http://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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
4866; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-
627-5246; fax: 562-627-5210; email: joseph.costa@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this NPRM. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-4866; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-33-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM because of those comments.
    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 we 
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

    Several 2nd stage compressor impellers were found cracked in the 
aft curvic root radius when inspected during a routine shop visit. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the compressor 
impeller, uncontained part release, damage to the engine, and damage to 
the airplane.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this NPRM 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 NPRM would require accomplishing the actions specified in the 
service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 4,000 engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate that it would take 
0 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. We also estimate that required parts would cost 
about $1,513.25 per engine. Based

[[Page 13765]]

on these figures, we estimate the total cost of this proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $6,053,000.

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 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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.

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

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):

Honeywell International Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
AlliedSignal Inc., Garrett Engine Division; Garrett Turbine Engine 
Company; and AiResearch Manufacturing Company of Arizona): Docket 
No. FAA-2015-4866; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-33-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 16, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) 
TPE331-3U, -3UW, -5, -5A, -5AB, -5B, -6, -6A, -8, -10, -10AV, -10GP, 
-10GT, -10N, -10P, -10R, -10T, -10U, -10UA, -10UF, -10UG, -10UGR, -
10UR, and -11U model turboprop engines, and TSE331-3U model 
turboshaft engines, with a 2nd stage compressor impeller, part 
number (P/N) 893482-1 through -5, inclusive, or P/N 3107056-1 or P/N 
3107056-2, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery of cracks in a 2nd stage 
compressor impeller during a routine shop visit. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the compressor impeller, uncontained part 
release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Remove from service the 2nd stage compressor impeller within 
200 cycles-in-service after the effective date of the AD, or before 
exceeding 7,000 cycles since last overhaul, whichever occurs later.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install a 2nd stage 
compressor impeller, part number (P/N) 893482-1 through -5, 
inclusive, or P/N 3107056-1 or P/N 3107056-2 into any engine.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 
to make your request.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Costa, 
Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 
90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5246; fax: 562-627-5210; email: 
joseph.costa@faa.gov.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 4, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05704 Filed 3-14-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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