83 FR 9797 - Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. Turbofan Engines

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 46 (March 8, 2018)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Honeywell International Inc. AS907 series turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by seven loss-of-thrust-control events attributed to water intrusion of the engine electronic control unit (ECU). This AD requires applying sealant to identified areas of the ECU and requires inserting a copy of certain airplane operating procedures into the applicable flight manuals. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 46 (Thursday, March 8, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9797-9801]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04614]



[[Page 9797]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0020; Product Identifier 2016-NE-33-AD; Amendment 
39-19209; AD 2018-04-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Honeywell International Inc. AS907 series turbofan engines. This AD was 
prompted by seven loss-of-thrust-control events attributed to water 
intrusion of the engine electronic control unit (ECU). This AD requires 
applying sealant to identified areas of the ECU and requires inserting 
a copy of certain airplane operating procedures into the applicable 
flight manuals. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 12, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 12, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Honeywell International Inc., 111 S 34th Street, Phoenix, AZ 
85034-2802; phone: 800-601-3099; internet: https://myaerospace.honeywell.com/wps/portal/!ut/. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also 
available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0020.

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-2017-
0020; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Document Operations, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Costa, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; 
phone: 562-627-5246; fax: 562-627-5210; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Honeywell 
International Inc. AS907 series turbofan engines. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on August 2, 2017 (82 FR 35914). The NPRM was 
prompted by seven loss-of-thrust-control events attributed to water 
intrusion of the engine ECU with one event having two in-flight 
shutdowns (IFSDs) during the same flight. All loss-of-thrust-control 
events occurred with engines within three years in service. The NPRM 
proposed to require applying sealant to identified areas of the ECU and 
to require inserting a copy of certain airplane operating procedures 
into the applicable flight manuals. We are issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Change Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service 
Information

    Honeywell requested changing the recommended compliance time stated 
in the ``Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service 
Information'' paragraph. Honeywell stated the compliance time started 
with the issuance of its initial Service Bulletin (SB) AS907-76-9021, 
Revision 0, dated May 13, 2016.
    We partially agree. We agree it would have been appropriate to 
reference the correct compliance time in this discussion within the 
NPRM. We do not agree to revise this final rule because this discussion 
does not exist in the final rule. Further explanation in this final 
rule is not necessary. We did not change this AD.

Request To Remove Interim Action

    Honeywell requested that we remove interim action from this AD. 
Honeywell reasoned that the redesigned ECU, which is equivalent to an 
ECU sealed with external sealant, is outside the scope of this AD.
    We agree since Honeywell does not plan to retrofit or repair older 
ECUs. The older ECUs will be sealed with external sealant for the life 
of the ECU. We removed the Interim Action paragraph from this AD.

Request To Revise Number of Affected Engines

    Honeywell requested that the number of engines affected be changed. 
Honeywell stated the current number of affected engines worldwide is 
680 engines installed in airplanes.
    We partially agree. We agree with Honeywell's current accounting of 
680 affected engines worldwide. We disagree with changing the number of 
affected engines in this AD because our requirement is to estimate the 
number of engines installed on U.S. airplanes. Therefore, we are 
maintaining the estimate made in the NPRM that 477 engines are 
installed on airplanes in the U.S. Registry.

Request To Clarify Applicability

    Honeywell requested that we remove references to ECU Mod Record 
numbers from this AD. Honeywell reasoned that the affected ECUs Mod 
Record numbers are only advanced for production sealed ECUs; therefore, 
ECU Mod Record numbers are not a consistent indication of ECU sealing 
service bulletin compliance.
    We agree. Mod Record numbers are not a good indicator of ECU 
sealing. We revised the applicability of this AD to refer to the engine 
model, serial numbers, and listed ECU part numbers (P/Ns) that are not 
sealed in the areas identified in Figures 1 through 13 of Honeywell SB 
AS907-76-9021, Revision 1, dated April 20, 2017. This change revises 
the method for operators to determine applicability but does not expand 
the scope of this AD since the affected populations of ECUs are the 
same in this final rule as in the NPRM.

Request To Change the Unsafe Condition

    Honeywell requested we revise the unsafe condition statement with 
updated field event information.
    We agree because the unsafe condition in paragraph (e) of the NPRM 
did not include four prior similar loss-of-thrust-control field events 
noted in the Discussion section. We changed the unsafe condition 
paragraph to refer to seven low-time loss-of-thrust control events 
attributed to water intrusion of the engine ECU.

[[Page 9798]]

Request To Add Inspection for Application of Sealant

    Honeywell requested that we revise the compliance section of this 
AD by requiring that applicable ECU P/Ns be inspected for application 
of sealant. The requested change would clarify the method of 
determining whether ECU sealing had been complied with.
    We partially agree. As noted in our response, we have clarified the 
Applicability section of this AD to refer only to affected ECUs that 
are not sealed in the areas identified in Figures 1 through 13 of 
Honeywell SB AS907-76-9021, Revision 1, dated April 20, 2017. We 
therefore, do not need to add an inspection for the application of 
sealant to the compliance section of this AD.

Request To Eliminate Re-Application of ECU Sealant

    Honeywell requested that we remove references to re-application of 
ECU sealant from this final rule. Honeywell commented that this step 
will be accomplished through its continued airworthiness documents.
    We agree that normal maintenance instructions make it unnecessary 
to re-apply the ECU sealant. We revised this final rule by removing the 
references to re-application of the ECU sealant.

Request To Change Compliance

    NetJets questioned whether paragraphs (g)(4), (g)(5), and (g)(6) 
were intended to be subparagraphs of paragraph (g)(3). They justified 
the request by saying that the crew should only be alerted to Cyan 
warning per the AFM (Airplane Flight Manual) Emergency Procedures.
    We agree. We redesignated paragraphs (g)(4), (g)(5), and (g)(6) in 
the NPRM as paragraphs (g)(2)(i), (g)(2)(ii), and (g)(2)(iii) in this 
AD to clarify the intent of the Cyan warning.

Request To Change Credit for Previous Actions

    NetJets requested that Honeywell SB AS907-76-9021, Revision 1, 
dated April 20, 2017, be added to the Credit for Previous Actions 
paragraph. They indicated that an AMOC (alternative method of 
compliance) might be needed to take credit for this previous action if 
Revision 1 of the SB was complied with prior to the effective date of 
the AD.
    We disagree because paragraph (f) already states that compliance is 
necessary unless already done. We did not change this AD.

Revision to Installation Prohibition

    We revised the Installation Prohibition, paragraph (h) of this AD, 
to reflect changes to the applicability and to paragraph designations 
discussed previously.

Miscellaneous Comments

    An individual commenter asked who is responsible for the 
enforcement of this final rule.
    The FAA, Flight Standards Division, is responsible for enforcing 
regulatory violations arising from noncompliance with ADs. We did not 
change this AD.
    An individual commenter suggested that the FAA is not taking into 
account the costs associated with improving the standards of the 
turbofan engines.
    We have taken into account the costs associated with this 
rulemaking as indicated within the Costs of Compliance section of the 
NPRM. We did not change this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule with the changes described previously and minor 
editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     [Agr]re consistent with the intent that was proposed in 
the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Honeywell SB AS907-76-9021, Revision 1, dated April 20, 
2017. The SB describes procedures for applying sealant to identified 
areas of the ECU to prevent water from entering the ECU on AS907 series 
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 Information

    We also reviewed Honeywell Operating Information Letter (OIL) 
OIAS907-0001R00, dated March 14, 2017. The OIL provides instructions 
for interrogating the onboard Maintenance Data Computer to clear engine 
electronic fault conditions.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this ECU sealing affects 477 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inserting copy of Figure 1, into the    2 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $170         $81,090
 AFM.                                    hour = $170.
Application of sealant for ECUs in      5.5 work-hours x $85 per              50          517.50      246,847.50
 airplane.                               hour = $467.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do a visual inspection of the 
ECUs. We estimate that 20 engines will need this inspection.

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fault Check of Maintenance Data Computer......  5 work-hours x $85 per hour =                 $0            $425
                                                 $425.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we

[[Page 9799]]

have included all costs in our cost estimate.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

Regulatory Findings

    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 DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2018-04-13 Honeywell International Inc.: Amendment 39-19209; Docket 
No. FAA-2017-0020; Product Identifier 2016-NE-33-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 12, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Honeywell International Inc. AS907-1-1A 
model turbofan engines with engine electronic control unit (ECU), 
part numbers (P/Ns) 2119576-1001 through -1011, installed; AS907-2-
1A model turbofan engines with ECU, P/N 2119576-1102, installed; 
AS907-2-1G model turbofan engines with ECU, P/Ns 2119576-3002 and -
3102, installed; and AS907-3-1E model turbofan engines with ECU, P/
Ns 2119576-4102 and -4103, installed with applicable engine serial 
numbers (S/Ns) in Table 3 of Honeywell Service Bulletin (SB) AS907-
76-9021, Revision 1, dated April 20, 2017 that are not sealed in the 
areas identified in Figures 1 through 13 of Honeywell SB AS907-76-
9021, Revision 1, dated April 20, 2017.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7600, Engine 
Controls Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by seven low-time loss-of-thrust-control 
events attributed to water intrusion of the engine ECU. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent a dual engine power loss. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of thrust control, 
damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For applicable engines and ECUs, within 200 hours time in 
service, or 9 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first, do the following:
    (i) If no sealant has been applied to the ECU in the areas 
identified in Figures 1 through 13 of Honeywell SB AS907-76-9021, 
Revision 1, dated April 20, 2017, apply sealant to the ECU using the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.C., of Honeywell SB AS907-
76-9021, Revision 1, dated April 20, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (2) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, for all 
airplanes that have an affected engine installed with an affected 
ECU not in compliance with paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, insert a 
copy of Figure 1, 2, or 3 to paragraph (g) of this AD, as applicable 
to your airplane, into the Emergency Procedures Section of the 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) and perform the following steps as 
necessary:
    (i) If a cyan warning is announced, before next flight, check 
the current fault messages in the Maintenance Data Computer (MDC)/
Onboard Messaging System (OMS) for any of the following:

    (A) FADEC ECU A
    (B) FADEC ECU B
    (C) THROTTLE LEVER 1A
    (D) THROTTLE LEVER 1B
    (E) THROTTLE RIGGING 1A
    (F) THROTTLE RIGGING 1B

    (ii) Replace the ECU if any of the fault messages listed in 
paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD are in the MDC OMS. Refer to 
Honeywell Operating Information Letter OIAS907-0001R00, dated March 
14, 2017, for guidance on returning and replacing the ECU.
    (iii) Continued flight is permitted if none of the fault 
messages listed in paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD are in the MDC 
OMS, or if paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD was accomplished.
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(h) Installation Prohibition

    (i) Do not install an ECU if any of the fault messages listed in 
paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD are in the MDC OMS.
    (ii) Do not install an ECU that has a P/N listed in paragraph 
(c) of this AD unless it was sealed as specified in paragraph 
(g)(1)(i) of this AD.

(i) Terminating Action

    Remove from the AFM, Figure 1, 2, or 3 to paragraph (g) of this 
AD, after paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this AD is accomplished.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph 
(g)(1)(i) of this AD, if you performed those actions before the 
effective date of this AD using Honeywell SB AS907-76-9021, Revision 
0, dated May 13, 2016.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority 
to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures 
found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 
request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards 
District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to 
the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Costa, 
Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount 
Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5246; fax: 562-627-
5210; email: [email protected].

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Honeywell Service Bulletin AS907-76-9021, Revision 1, dated 
April 20, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Honeywell service information identified in this AD, 
contact Honeywell International Inc., 111 S. 34th Street, Phoenix, 
AZ 85034-2802; phone: 800-601-3099; internet: https://myaerospace.honeywell.com/wps/portal/!ut/.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 
01803. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 781-238-7759.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 23, 2018.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-04614 Filed 3-7-18; 8:45 am]
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