[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 164 (Thursday, August 24, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43962-43964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20852]
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[[Page 43963]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-ANE-40; Amendment 39-9345; AD 95-15-51]
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt and Whitney Model JT8D-9A
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule, request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document publishes in theFederal Register an amendment
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) T95-15-51 that was sent
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Pratt and Whitney
(PW) Model JT8D-9A engines by individual telegrams. This AD requires
inspection, and replacement, if necessary, of suspect 7th through 12th
stage HPC disks. This amendment is prompted by a report of an
uncontained engine failure during takeoff. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent an uncontained HPC disk failure and
damage to the aircraft.
DATES: Effective September 8, 1995, to all persons except those persons
to whom it was made immediately effective by telegraphic AD T95-15-51,
issued July 10, 1995, which contained the requirements of this
amendment.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before October 23, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-40, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark A. Rumizen, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617)
238-7137, fax (617) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 10, 1995, the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) issued telegraphic airworthiness directive (AD)
T95-15-51, applicable to certain Pratt & Whitney (PW) Model JT8D-9A
turbofan engines, which requires inspection, and replacement, if
necessary, of suspect 7th through 12th stage high pressure compressor
(HPC) disks. That action was prompted by a report that on June 8, 1995,
a PW JT8D-9A engine, installed on a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 aircraft,
experienced an uncontained engine failure during takeoff at the William
B. Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. After the
engine failure, the takeoff was aborted and the aircraft was stopped on
the runway. Engine fragments penetrated the cabin, struck a fuel line,
and initiated a fire that destroyed the aircraft. The FAA's on-going
investigation has revealed that the 7th stage HPC disk failed due to a
fatigue crack that originated at a corrosion pit in a shielding hole.
The aircraft records showed that the engine was one of a total of 24
acquired from Turk Hava Yollari (THY), a Turkish domestic and
international airline that also operates a PW JT8D engine overhaul and
maintenance facility. The FAA has determined that THY may not have
performed the inspection of the subject disk in accordance with all
practices and procedures specified by the FAA and PW. This condition,
if not corrected, could result in an uncontained HPC disk failure and
damage to the aircraft.
Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop
on other engines of the same type design, the FAA issued Telegraphic AD
T95-15-51 to prevent an uncontained HPC disk failure and damage to the
aircraft. The AD requires inspection, and replacement, if necessary, of
suspect 7th through 12th stage HPC disks.
Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required,
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual telegrams
issued on July 10, 1995, to all known U.S. owners and operators of
engines. These conditions still exist, and the AD is hereby published
in theFederal Register as an amendment to Section 39.13 of part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to make it effective
to all persons.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 95-ANE-40.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action''
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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, Safety.
[[Page 43964]]
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), 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
95-15-51 Pratt and Whitney: Amendment 39-9345. Docket 95-ANE-40
Applicability: Pratt and Whitney (PW) Model JT8D-9A turbofan
engines identified by the following Serial Numbers: 656953, 656981,
657299, 657308, 657607, 657608, 657612, 666862, 666868, 666906,
666912, 666915, 666948, 666955, 666957, 666967, 666973, 666987,
667136, 667137, 667143, 667154, and 667165. These engines are
installed on but not limited to Boeing 727 and 737 series, and
McDonnell Douglas DC-9 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 (d) 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 an uncontained high pressure compressor (HPC) disk
failure and damage to the aircraft, accomplish the following:
(a) For engines that contain any 7th through 12th stage HPC disk
that has accumulated 2,900 or more cycles in service (CIS) on the
effective date of this AD since HPC disk inspection performed by
Turk Hava Yollari (THY), visually inspect each 7th through 12th
stage HPC disk within 10 days, or 100 CIS after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first, for evidence of corrosion
pitting and cracks in accordance with PW JT8D Engine Manual, Part
Number (P/N) 481672, Section 72-36-41 through -46, as applicable.
Pay particular attention to the inspection of the bolt holes, and
shielding holes, as applicable. Replace all corroded or cracked
disks with a serviceable part prior to further flight.
(b) For engines that contain any 7th through 12th stage HPC disk
that has accumulated less than 2,900 CIS on the effective date of
this AD since HPC disk inspection performed by THY, visually inspect
each 7th through 12th stage HPC disk prior to the accumulation of
3,000 CIS since HPC inspection performed by THY for evidence of
corrosion pitting and cracks in accordance with PW JT8D Engine
Manual, P/N 481672, Section 72-36-41 through -46, as applicable. Pay
particular attention to the inspection of the bolt holes, and
shielding holes, as applicable. Replace all corroded or cracked
disks with a serviceable part prior to further flight.
(c) No AD action is required for those engines that contain 7th
through 12th stage HPC disks that were all inspected by an FAA-
approved repair station after the last 7th through 12th stage HPC
disk inspection performed by THY.
(d) 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.
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective September 8, 1995, to all
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately
effective by telegraphic AD T95-15-51, issued July 10, 1995, which
contained the requirements of this amendment.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 15, 1995.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-20852 Filed 8-23-95; 8:45 am]
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