[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 27, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66872-66874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-31332]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-ANE-58; Amendment 39-9461; AD 95-26-03]


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt and Whitney JT8D Series Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT8D series turbofan engines, 
that currently requires inspection, and replacement, if necessary, of 
suspect 7th through 12th stage high pressure compressor (HPC) disks. 
This amendment adds 46 more applicable engines, revises the inspection 
requirements, incorporates a new PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB), and 
requires reporting the results of the inspection to the manufacturer. 
This amendment is prompted by the identification of additional suspect 
engines, by the development of revised inspection intervals, and by the 
issuance of the new PW ASB. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent an uncontained HPC disk failure, which can result 
in damage to the aircraft.
DATES: Effective January 11, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the 

[[Page 66873]]
regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
January 11, 1996.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before February 26, 1996.

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-58, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Pratt & Whitney, Publications Department, M/S 132-30, 400 Main St., 
East Hartford, CT 06108. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Burlington, 
MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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 August 15, 1995, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) issued airworthiness directive (AD) 95-15-51, 
Amendment 39-9345 (60 FR 43963, August 24, 1995), applicable to Pratt & 
Whitney (PW) JT8D series engines with specified serial numbers, to 
require 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. The FAA determined that the 
7th stage HPC disk failed due to a fatigue crack that originated at a 
corrosion pit in a shielding hole. The FAA further determined that the 
fatigue crack origination could have resulted from a disk inspection 
not performed in accordance with all practices and procedures specified 
by the FAA and PW. This disk inspection was performed at Turk Hava 
Yollari (THY), a Turkish engine overhaul and maintenance facility. The 
FAA identified 24 suspect engines in that AD that had been overhauled 
by THY for which HPC disk inspection was required. That condition, if 
not corrected, could result in an uncontained HPC disk failure, which 
can result in damage to the aircraft.
    Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has identified an additional 
46 suspect engines, based on a review of records from the THY facility. 
In addition, the FAA has also developed revised inspection intervals, 
based on further examination and analysis of suspect disks. Also, PW 
has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A6226, dated October 17, 
1995. Finally, this superseding AD requires reporting the results of 
the inspection to the manufacturer. The FAA has reviewed and approved 
the technical contents of that ASB, which defines inspection 
requirements of these suspect disks.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other engines of this same type design, this AD 
supersedes AD 95-15-51 to add 46 more applicable engines, to revise the 
inspection requirements, to incorporate PW ASB No. A6226, dated October 
17, 1995, and to report the results of the inspection to the 
manufacturer. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance 
with the ASB described previously.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

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-58.'' 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, 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), 40101, 40113, 44701. 
    
[[Page 66874]]



Sec. 39.13  [AMENDED]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39--9345 (60 FR 
43963, August 24, 1995), and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
Amendment 39-9461, to read as follows:
95-26-03 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-9461. Docket 95-ANE-58. 
Supersedes AD 95-15-51, Amendment 39-9345.

    Applicability: Pratt & Whitney (PW) Models JT8D-1, -1A, -1B, -7, 
-7A, -9, -9A, -11, -15, -15A, -17, -17A, -17R, -17AR engines with 
serial numbers specified in Section 2 of PW Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. A6226, dated October 17, 1995. These engines are installed 
on but not limited to Boeing B727 and B737, and McDonnell Douglas 
DC-9 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 an uncontained high pressure compressor (HPC) disk 
failure, which can result in damage to the aircraft, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Perform a records search, inspect if necessary, repair or 
replace if necessary, and report results, of stage 7 through 12 HPC 
disks in accordance with the intervals and procedures of paragraph 
2.A through 2.D of PW ASB No. A6226, dated October 17, 1995. 
Reporting requirements have been approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget and assigned OMB control number 2120-0056.
    (b) For the purpose of this AD, the accomplishment effective 
date to be used for determination of inspection intervals, as 
required by Section 2.B of PW ASB A6226, dated October 17, 1995, is 
defined as the effective date of this AD.
    (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 service document:

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               Document No.                 Pages           Revision                         Date               
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PW ASB No. A6226.........................    1-20  Original.................  October 17, 1995.                 
Total pages: 20..........................                                                                       
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    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 Pratt & Whitney, Publications 
Department, M/S 132-30, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108. 
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 January 11, 1996.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 11, 1995.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-31332 Filed 12-26-95; 8:45 am]
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