[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 164 (Monday, August 25, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44886-44888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22308]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-ANE-32-AD; Amendment 39-10107; AD 97-17-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 Series 
Turboprop Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 series turboprop engines. 
This action requires a visual inspection of the two gas generator case 
drain ports to ensure that they are connected to drain lines or capped 
in accordance with the applicable aircraft installation configuration. 
This amendment is prompted by a report of a nacelle fire. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to prevent a nacelle fire caused by 
fluid leaking from the gas generator case drain ports.

DATES: Effective September 9, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 9, 1997.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before October 24, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-ANE-32-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent 
via the Internet using the following address: ``9-ad-
[email protected]''. Comments sent via the Internet must contain 
the docket number in the subject line.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Pratt & Whitney Canada, 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada 
J4G1A1; telephone (514) 647-2866, fax (514) 647-2888. This information 
may be examined 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Cook, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate,12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617) 238-
7134, fax (617) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Transport Canada, which is the airworthiness 
authority for Canada, recently notified the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) that an unsafe condition may exist on Pratt & 
Whitney Canada (PWC) PW118, PW118A, PW118B, PW119B, PW119C, PW120, 
PW120A, PW121, PW121A, PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW124B, 
PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, and PW127F series turboprop engines. The 
FAA and Transport Canada received a report of an Embraer EMB-120 
aircraft powered by PWC PW118B turboprop engines that recently 
experienced a fire shortly after take off. The aircraft landed safely 
with the loss of both hydraulic systems and with extensive heat and 
fire damage to the right engine nacelle, wing, and landing gear bay. A 
portion of the aircraft exhaust duct was also missing. The fuel and 
ignition sources have not been determined and the investigation of the 
accident by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is 
continuing. As part of the investigation, the right engine was 
disassembled and the investigators found the gas generator case rear 
drain port was not capped as required by the aircraft manufacturer's 
installation instructions. A subsequent inspection of the operator's 
EMB 120 fleet found two more aircraft with the cap missing from the gas 
generator case rear drain port. Under certain conditions, the opened 
rear drain port may permit fluid to exit through the port and 
accumulate in the nacelle resulting in a possible hazardous situation. 
All PW100 model engines are equipped with two gas generator case drain 
ports. This condition, if not corrected, can result in a nacelle fire 
caused by fluid leaking from the gas generator case drain ports.
    PWC has issued Service Information Letter SIL No. PW100-003, issued 
June 18, 1997, that describes procedures for

[[Page 44887]]

a visual inspection of the two gas generator case drain ports to ensure 
that they are connected to drain lines or capped in accordance with the 
applicable aircraft installation configuration.
    This engine model is manufactured in Canada and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, Transport Canada has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the 
findings of Transport Canada, reviewed all available information, and 
determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design 
that are certificated for operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other engines of the same type design registered in 
the United States, the proposed AD would require a visual inspection of 
the two gas generator case drain ports to ensure that they are 
connected to drain lines or capped in accordance with the applicable 
aircraft installation configuration. The actions would be required to 
be accomplished in accordance with the SIL 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 97-ANE-32-AD.'' 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

    97-17-05 Pratt & Whitney Canada: Amendment 39-10107. Docket 97-
ANE-32-AD.

    Applicability: Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) PW118, PW118A, 
PW118B, PW119B, PW119C, PW120, PW120A, PW121, PW121A, PW123, PW123B, 
PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, and 
PW127F series turboprop engines installed on but not limited to 
Dornier 328, Fokker 50, Jetstream ATP, ATR42, ATR42-500, ATR72, 
Embraer EMB-120, and Dehaviland Dash-8-100/-200/-300/-315 engines.

    Note 1: 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 request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with 
paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment 
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition 
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific 
proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a nacelle fire caused by fluid leaking from the gas 
generator case drain ports, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 10 hours time in service after the effective date of 
this AD, visually inspect the two gas generator case drain ports and 
ensure that they are connected to drain lines or capped, as 
applicable, to the appropriate aircraft installation configuration 
in accordance with PWC Service Information Letter (SIL) No. PW100-
003, issued June 18, 1997.
    (b) 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. 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR

[[Page 44888]]

21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) The actions required by this AD shall be performed in 
accordance with the following PWC SIL:

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           Document No.               Pages              Date           
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PW100-003.........................         1  June 18, 1997             
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    Total pages: 1.
    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 Canada, 1000 
Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada J4G1A1; telephone (514) 
647-2866, fax (514) 647-2888. 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 9, 1997.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 12, 1997.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-22308 Filed 8-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U