Proposed Rule2023-10817
Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. Engines
Primary source
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Published
May 23, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Honeywell International Inc. Model AS907-1-1A and AS907-2-1G engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of compressor surge, including a dual engine compressor surge, during takeoff climb out through a steep temperature inversion, causing a loss of engine thrust control. This proposed AD would require either the replacement of a certain electronic control unit (ECU) software version installed on AS907-1-1A engines with updated software or the replacement of certain ECUs installed on AS907-1-1A engines with ECUs eligible for installation. This proposed AD would also require the replacement of certain ECUs installed on AS907-2-1G engines with ECUs eligible for installation. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 99 (Tuesday, May 23, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 23, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32980-32983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-10817]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1050; Project Identifier AD-2022-00602-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Honeywell International Inc. Model AS907-1-1A and AS907-2-1G
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of compressor surge,
including a dual engine compressor surge, during takeoff climb out
through a steep temperature inversion, causing a loss of engine thrust
control. This proposed AD would require either the replacement of a
certain electronic control unit (ECU) software version installed on
AS907-1-1A engines with updated software or the replacement of certain
ECUs installed on AS907-1-1A engines with ECUs eligible for
installation. This proposed AD would also require the replacement of
certain ECUs installed on AS907-2-1G engines with ECUs eligible for
installation. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 7,
2023.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
[[Page 32981]]
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2023-1050; 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 NPRM, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Costa, Aviation Safety
Engineer, West Certification Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (562) 627-5246; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8be1e4f8eefbe3a5e8e4f8ffeacbedeaeaa5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="107a7f637560783e737f636471507671713e777f66">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-1050; Project Identifier
AD-2022-00602-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Joseph Costa, Aviation Safety Engineer, West Certification Branch, FAA,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712. Any commentary that the
FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed
in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA was notified of several reports that Honeywell
International Inc. (Honeywell) Model AS907-1-1A and AS907-2-1G engines
experienced compressor surge, including an AS907-1-1A dual engine
compressor surge, during takeoff climb out through a steep temperature
inversion, which resulted in loss of engine thrust control. The FAA
determined that the installed ECU software version logic locked the
engine inlet total temperature (Tt2) at 60 knots on a takeoff roll and
that reference Tt2 remained locked until the aircraft reached 400 feet
above ground level (AGL) or the pilot moved the throttle before
reaching 400 AGL. The locked Tt2 is mathematically adjusted by the ECU
software for altitude and Mach number changes as the takeoff
progresses. During the climb to 400 feet AGL with a thermal inversion,
the actual engine Tt2 can increase above the Tt2 that is being
calculated by the ECU, which causes the compressor guide vanes' (CGVs)
position to be off-schedule for the actual ambient conditions.
Significant off-scheduling of the CGVs can lead to a compressor surge
event. The compressor surge margin is decreased when scheduling is
based on a colder Tt2 temperature than what the engine is actually
running. Engine deterioration impacts compressor surge margin and can
increase the likelihood of a dual engine compressor surge as the AS907-
1-1A and AS907-2-1G engine fleets age. Dual engine power loss due to a
temperature inversion occurring within 75 feet AGL during takeoff climb
out may cause the loss of thrust control of an airplane. This
condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced controllability of
the airplane, loss of control of the airplane, reduced ability of the
flight crew to maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane,
and loss of the airplane.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in this NPRM
This proposed AD would require either the replacement of a certain
ECU software version installed on AS907-1-1A engines with a software
version eligible for installation or the replacement of certain ECUs
installed on AS907-1-1A engines with ECUs eligible for installation.
This proposed AD would also require the replacement of certain ECUs
installed on AS907-2-1G engines with ECUs eligible for installation.
ECUs with P/N 2119576-3001 or P/N 2119576-3002 installed in AS907-2-1G
engines would be eligible for reinstallation on the AS907-2-1G engines
until exceeding the compliance time specified in Table 2 to paragraph
(g)(2) of this AD.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 853 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA
estimates that 175 engines installed on AS907-2-1G engines will require
replacing two ECUs.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replace AS907-2-1G ECUs (2 per engine) 5 work-hours x $85 per $109,044 $109,469 $19,157,075
hour = $425.
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[[Page 32982]]
For either replacement of the AS907-1-1A ECU software or
replacement of the AS907-1-1A ECUs, depending on the option selected by
the operator to comply with this AD, the FAA estimates the following
costs:
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace AS907-1-1A ECU software (2 per engine) 5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $425
$425.
Replace AS907-1-1A ECU (per ECU, per engine).. 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = 61,162 61,332
$170.
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected operators.
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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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:
Honeywell International Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2023-1050; Project
Identifier AD-2022-00602-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 7, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell)
Model AS907-1-1A and AS907-2-1G engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7300, Engine Fuel
and Control.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of compressor surge, including a
dual engine compressor surge, during takeoff climb out through a
steep temperature inversion, which caused a loss of engine thrust
control. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent loss of engine thrust
control. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
reduced controllability of the airplane, loss of control of the
airplane, reduced ability of the flight crew to maintain the safe
flight and landing of the airplane, and loss of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) For AS907-1-1A engines with an ECU having part number (P/N)
2119576-1011 and software version AS907_1011 installed, before
exceeding the applicable compliance time in Table 1 to paragraph
(g)(1) of this AD, either replace software version AS907_1001 with a
software version eligible for installation; or replace the ECU with
an ECU eligible for installation. Either the software or ECU must be
replaced for all four ECUs installed in both airplane engines at the
same time.
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1): Guidance for removing and replacing
the ECU software or removing and replacing the ECU may be found in
Honeywell Service Bulletin (SB) AS907-76-9031, Revision 2, dated May
15, 2022.
Table 1 to Paragraph (g)(1)--Model AS907-1-1A Engines
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engine operating time since new
(TSN) Compliance time
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greater than 5,000 hours TSN...... Within 12 months or before exceeding
400 hours time-in-service (TIS),
whichever occurs first after the
effective date of this AD.
3,000 to 5,000 hours TSN.......... Within 18 months or before exceeding
600 hours TIS, whichever occurs
first after the effective date of
this AD.
Fewer than 3,000 hours TSN........ Within 24 months or before exceeding
800 hours TIS, whichever occurs
first after the effective date of
this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) For AS907-2-1G engines with serial numbers (S/N) P130101
through P130240 that have not incorporated Honeywell SB AS907-72-
9063, and for AS907-2-1G engines with S/Ns P130241 through P130336,
and S/Ns P130101 through P130240 that
[[Page 32983]]
have incorporated Honeywell SB AS907-72-9063, before exceeding the
applicable compliance time in Table 2 to paragraph (g)(2) of this
AD, replace any installed ECU having P/N 2119576-3001 or P/N
2119576-3002 with an ECU eligible for installation. All four ECUs
installed in both airplane engines must be replaced at the same
time.
Note 2 to paragraph (g)(2): Guidance for removing and replacing
the ECU may be found in Honeywell SB AS907-76-9014, Revision 6,
dated October 10, 2022.
Note 3 to paragraph (g)(2): Guidance for converting a standard
flow compressor to a high flow compressor for improving surge margin
may be found in Honeywell SB AS907-72-9063, Revision 1, dated July
31, 2019.
Table 2 to Paragraph (g)(2)--Model AS907-2-1G Engines
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engine type Compliance time
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Flow Compressor AS907-2-1G Within 2 years or before
engines (engine S/Ns P130101 through exceeding 800 hours TIS,
P130240 that have not incorporated whichever occurs first after
Honeywell SB AS907-72-9063). the effective date of this AD.
High Flow Compressor Within 7 years or before
AS907[dash]2[dash]1G engines (engine S/ exceeding 2,800 hours TIS,
Ns P130241 through P130336 and engines whichever occurs first after
that have incorporated Honeywell SB the effective date of this AD.
AS907-72-9063).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(h) Installation Prohibition
(1) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an ECU
having P/N 2119576-1011 and software version AS907_1001 in any
AS907-1-1A engine.
(2) Do not install an ECU having P/N 2119576-3001 or P/N
2119576-3002 in any AS907-2-1G engine if the ECU has exceeded the
compliance time specified in Table 2 to paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.
(i) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this AD, for the AS907-1-1A engine, a
``software version eligible for installation'' is a software version
that is not software version AS907_1001.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, for the AS907-1-1A engine, an
``ECU eligible for installation'' is an ECU that does not have P/N
2119576-1011.
(3) For the purpose of this AD, for the AS907-2-1G engine, an
``ECU eligible for installation'' is an ECU that does not have P/N
2119576-3001 or P/N 2119576-3002.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, West Certification 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 branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD
and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#122b3f535c5f3f5e5353515d3f535f5d513f4077636777616661527473733c757d64"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a69f8be7e8eb8beae7e7e5e98be7ebe9e58bf4c3d7d3c3d5d2d5e6c0c7c788c1c9d0">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Costa,
Aviation Safety Engineer, West Certification Branch, FAA, 3960
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (562) 627-5246;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#355f5a4650455d1b565a464154755354541b525a43"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c9a3a6baacb9a1e7aaa6babda889afa8a8e7aea6bf">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) For service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference, contact Honeywell International Inc., 111
South 34th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034; phone: (800) 601-3099;
website: <a href="http://myaerospace.com">myaerospace.com</a>. You may view this service information at
the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch,
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on May 16, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-10817 Filed 5-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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