[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]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 206 / Friday, October 24, 1997 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 55364]]
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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).
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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