[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 18, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26833-26835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12297]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-ANE-58-AD; Amendment 39-11173; AD 99-11-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Series
Reciprocating Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to Pratt & Whitney R-1340 series reciprocating engines, that
requires initial and repetitive visual and fluorescent penetrant
inspections of cylinders for head cracking. This amendment is prompted
by reports of cylinder head cracking. The actions specified by this AD
are intended to prevent cylinder head cracking, which can result in
engine power loss, forced landing, and damage to the aircraft.
DATES: Effective July 19, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 19, 1999.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Pratt & Whitney, Publications Department, Supervisor
Technical Publications Distribution, M/S 132-30, 400 Main Street, East
Hartford, CT 06108; telephone (860) 565-7700, fax (860) 565-4503. This
information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the
[[Page 26834]]
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington,
DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wego Wang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7134, fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to Pratt & Whitney (PW) R-1340 series
reciprocating engines was published in the Federal Register on June 12,
1998 (63 FR 32151). That action proposed to require initial and
repetitive visual inspections of cylinders in accordance with PW
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 1787, dated September 7, 1983, for head
cracking at intervals based upon whether the engines are cowled and
baffled, or unbaffled installations. Cracked cylinder heads must be
replaced with serviceable parts if found cracked. In addition, this AD
would require fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of each cylinder
at overhaul.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Four commenters request the FAA to allow pilots or operators who
have completed a yet to be established educational workshop to conduct
the visual inspections because of the frequency of these inspections,
potential economic hardship, and the availability of FAA-certified
mechanics who could be far away. The FAA does not concur. The FAA
disagrees that the pilot inspections could substitute for the required
visual inspections described in this AD. The FAA encourages the proper
educational workshops to familiarize operators with the visual
inspection techniques; however, the FAA still believes that the
referenced inspections should be conducted by the FAA-certified
mechanics who are the only certified people with the required expertise
and experience to assure a comprehensive inspection.
One commenter (the manufacturer) states that the cylinder part
number should be removed from the AD, and the AD should just make
reference to cylinder heads because of the following three reasons: (1)
The part progression history has become very complicated in the last
few decades, (2) the complete part list is not available, and (3) all
cylinder heads installed on the R-1340 series engines as specified in
the Applicability provision are subject to the requirements of this AD.
The FAA concurs, and the part number reference has been removed from
this final rule.
One commenter states that in the Applicability the ``Schweizer
G164A'' and ``De Havilland DHC3 series'' should be changed to ``Ag Cat
Corporation G-164A'' and ``de Havilland DHC-3'', respectively, and that
the definition of ``R-1340 series'' should be clarified to include
specific engine models in the Applicability section. The FAA concurs
and the Applicability has been revised accordingly in this final rule.
One commenter states that the inspection costs listed in the
economic analysis are unrealistically low because the AD will apply to
ex-military ``warbird'' aircraft that operate these engines. The FAA
does not concur. The FAA's estimated cost is based on an average of the
estimates for costs for all aircraft operated under normal conditions,
and based on the best available information. The costs for a particular
operator may be higher than the average.
One commenter is concerned with mandating an arbitrary number of
hours for inspection of PW R-1340 engines by an FAA-certificated
mechanic. The FAA does not concur. The inspection intervals required by
this AD are not arbitrary, but based on the frequency of cylinder head
cracking observed in service, data supplied by the manufacturer, and
the inspection intervals already recommended by the manufacturer in the
SB.
One commenter states that the proposed inspection should include
all known areas in the cylinder head where cracks could lead to a
cylinder failure. The FAA does not concur. The FAA believes that the
proposed inspections in this AD are a timely initiative to monitor the
cylinder head cracking issue. The inspections of other areas will not
be required at this point in time. However, future rulemaking may be
considered when more safety data are available to warrant such
inspections.
One commenter states that although the required FPI is a good
proposal, it will impose significant problems for some foreign
operators whose civil airworthiness authorities require special
certification for performing an FPI. The FAA concurs that the FPI is
essential to the proposed inspection program, but has no comment on
what impact the required actions may have on a foreign operator
governed by its own civil airworthiness authority.
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
There are approximately 3,000 engines of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 2,535 engines installed on
aircraft of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 1 work hour per engine to accomplish the visual
inspection, and 15 work hours to accomplish the FPI, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $2,000 per engine. In addition, the FAA estimates that 5%
of the fleet will require replacement parts upon inspection. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $2,687,100.
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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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:
[[Page 26835]]
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:
99-11-02 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-11173. Docket 97-ANE-58-AD.
Applicability: Pratt & Whitney (PW) R-1340 series reciprocating
engines including Wasp S1H1, S1H1-G, S1H2, S1H4, S1H5-G, S3H2, R-
1340-61 under Type Certificate E-129, Wasp S3H1-G, R-1340-59 under
Type Certificate E-142, and also Wasp S3H1 under Type Certificate E-
143. These engines are installed on but not limited to the following
aircraft: de Havilland DHC-3, Air Tractor AT-301, and Ag Cat
Corporation G-164A.
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 cylinder head cracking, which can result in engine
power loss, forced landing, and damage to the aircraft, accomplish
the following:
(a) Perform initial and repetitive visual inspection of
cylinders for head cracking, and replace cracked cylinders with
serviceable parts, in accordance with PW Service Bulletin (SB) No.
1787, dated September 7, 1983, as follow:
(1) For cowled and baffled installations, as follows:
(i) Perform the initial visual inspection within 125 hours time-
in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD.
(ii) Thereafter, visually inspect at intervals not to exceed 250
hours TIS since last inspection.
(2) For all other installations, as follows:
(i) Perform the initial visual inspection within 50 hours TIS
after the effective date of this AD.
(ii) Thereafter, visually inspect at intervals not to exceed 100
hours TIS since last inspection.
(b) At the last cylinder overhaul after the effective date of
this AD, and at each subsequent overhaul, perform a fluorescent
penetrant inspection (FPI) of cylinders for head cracking, and
replace cracked cylinders with serviceable parts, in accordance with
PW SB No. 1787, dated September 7, 1983.
(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 request 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) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance
with the following PW SB:
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Document No. Pages Date
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1787.................. 1-4................... September 7, 1983.
Total Pages: 4.
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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, Supervisor Technical Publications Distribution, M/S 132-
30, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108; telephone (860) 565-
7700, fax (860) 565-4503. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New
England Region, Office of the Regional 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 July 19, 1999.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 10, 1999.
David A. Downey,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-12297 Filed 5-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M