[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 206 (Friday, October 24, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55364-55365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28217]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 206 / Friday, October 24, 1997 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 55364]]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-ANE-33-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 Series 
Turboprop Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) PW100 
series turboprop engines. This proposal would require removal of the 
existing fuel manifold tubes, lock plates, and preformed packing; 
installation of improved fuel manifold transfer tubes, improved lock 
plates, and improved preformed packing; and, after installation, the 
performance of a leak check. This proposal is prompted by reports of 
engine fuel leaks which resulted in either inflight engine shutdowns or 
fire warnings. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent engine fuel leaks, which can result in inflight engine 
shutdowns or fire warnings.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 23, 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-33-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. Comments may be inspected at this location between 
8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Pratt & Whitney Canada, 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, 
Quebec, Canada J4G 1A1; telephone (514) 677-9411, fax (514) 647-3620. 
This information may be examined at the FAA, New England Region, Office 
of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA.

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-
7133, fax (617) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal 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-33-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-ANE-33-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    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, 
PW127F series turboprop engines. Transport Canada advises that they 
have received reports of several incidents of PW100 series engine fuel 
leaks which resulted in either inflight shutdowns or fire warnings. The 
investigation showed that most of these fuel leaks occurred shortly 
after fuel manifold maintenance actions, and that they were caused by 
an incorrect installation and the quality of o-ring seals installed. 
The manufacturer has determined that the current transfer tube lock 
plates installed in accordance with PWC Service Bulletin (SB) No. 
21077, Revision 7, dated October 10, 1996, are sensitive to 
installation errors and can be bent out of position. This condition, if 
not corrected, can result in engine fuel leaks, which can result in 
inflight engine shutdowns or fire warnings.
    Pratt & Whitney Canada has issued SB No. 21516, dated August 14, 
1997, and SB No. 21549, dated September 18, 1997, which introduces new 
fuel manifold transfer tubes and new fuel manifold drain transfer 
tubes. Pratt & Whitney Canada has also issued SB No. 21373, Revision 3, 
dated October 11, 1996, which introduces a new lock plate to 
accommodate the fuel manifold transfer tubes to prevent the incorrect 
installation and hold the transfer tubes in position. In addition, PWC 
has issued SB No. 21364, Revision 1, dated April 28, 1995, that address 
the o-ring quality control problem by introducing a preformed packing 
with a better quality control during manufacturing process. Transport 
Canada classified these SBs as mandatory and issued AD CF-96-22, dated 
November 19, 1996, in order to assure the airworthiness of these 
engines in Canada.

[[Page 55365]]

    These engine models are manufactured in Canada and are 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 removal of the 
existing fuel manifold tubes, lock plates, and performed packing and 
installation of improved fuel manifold transfer tubes, lock plates, and 
preformed packing, at the earliest of the following: (1) the next time, 
after the effective date of this AD, that the engine or module is at a 
maintenance base that can do the modifications specified, regardless of 
the scheduled maintenance action or reason for engine removal; (2) or 
at the next fuel nozzle change; or (3) prior to November 30, 1998. This 
calendar end-date was determined based upon risk assessment. After 
installation, but prior to further flight, this AD requires performing 
a leak check. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the SBs described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 1,216 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would not take 
any additional work hours per engine to accomplish the proposed 
actions, as the actions may be performed during regularly scheduled 
maintenance or overhaul. Required parts would cost approximately $370 
per engine. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $449,920.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Pratt & Whitney Canada: Docket No. 97-ANE-33-AD.

    Applicability: Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) PW118, W118A, 
PW118B, PW119B, PW119C, PW120, PW120A, PW121, W121A, PW123, PW123B, 
PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, 
PW127F series engines installed on but not limited to Dornier 328, 
Fokker 50, Jetstream ATP, ATR42, ATR42-500, ATR72, Embraer EMB-120, 
Canadair CL215T, CL415, and DeHavilland Dash-8-100/-200/-300/-315.

    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 (c) 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 engine fuel leaks, which can result in inflight 
engine shutdowns or fire warnings, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove the existing fuel manifold tubes, lock plates, and 
performed packing and replace with the improved fuel manifold 
transfer tubes and fuel manifold drain transfer tubes in accordance 
with the applicable PWC Service Bulletins (SB) No. 21516, dated 
August 14, 1997, and SB No. 21549, dated September 18, 1997, and SB 
No. 21077, Revision 7, dated October 10, 1996; and the improved lock 
plates in accordance with PWC SB No. 21373, Revision 3, dated 
October 11, 1996, using the improved preformed packing in accordance 
with PWC SB No. 21364, Revision 1, dated April 28, 1995, as follows, 
whichever occurs first following the effective date of this AD:
    (1) At the next engine removal, regardless of cause; or
    (2) At the next fuel nozzle change; or
    (3) Prior to November 30, 1998.
    (b) After the installation of the improved fuel manifold tubes 
and lockplates, but prior to further flight, perform a leak check in 
accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.
    (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. 
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.

    (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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 17, 1997.
Mark C. Fulmer,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-28217 Filed 10-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U