[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 212 (Thursday, November 1, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55138-55140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27432]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-ANE-61-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney PW2000 Series Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to 
supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD), that is applicable 
to Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW2000 series turbofan engines. That AD 
currently requires revisions to the engine manufacturer's time limits 
section (TLS) to include enhanced inspection of selected critical life-
limited parts at each piece-part exposure. This proposal would modify 
the airworthiness limitations section of the manufacturer's manual and 
an air carrier's approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program 
to incorporate additional inspection requirements. An FAA study of in-
service events involving uncontained failures of critical rotating 
engine parts has indicated the need for mandatory inspections. The 
mandatory inspections are needed to identify those critical rotating 
parts with conditions, which if allowed to continue in service, could 
result in uncontained failures. The actions specified by this proposed 
AD are intended to prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part 
failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage 
to the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 31, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-ANE-61-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location, by appointment, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may also be sent via 
the Internet using the following address: ``[email protected].'' 
Comments sent via the Internet must contain the docket number in the 
subject line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7747, fax (781) 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 action 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.

[[Page 55139]]

    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 98-ANE-61-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRM's

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-ANE-61-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    On October 12, 2000, the FAA issued airworthiness directive (AD) 
2000-21-09, Amendment 39-11941 (65 FR 65730, November 2, 2000), to 
require revisions to the Time Limits Section (TLS) of the PW 2000 
Turbofan Engine Manual to include required enhanced inspection of 
selected critical life-limited parts at each piece-part exposure.

New Inspection Procedures

    Since the issuance of that AD, an FAA study of in-service events 
involving uncontained failures of critical rotating engine parts has 
indicated the need for additional mandatory inspections. The mandatory 
inspections are needed to identify those critical rotating parts with 
conditions, which if allowed to continue in service, could result in 
uncontained failures. This proposal would modify the time limitations 
section of the manufacturer's manual and an air carrier's approved 
continuous airworthiness maintenance program to incorporate the 
additional inspection requirements.

FAA's Determination of an Unsafe Condition and Proposed Actions

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW2000 series turbofan 
engines of the same type design, the proposed AD would supersede AD 
2000-21-09 to add additional critical life-limited parts for enhanced 
inspection at each piece-part opportunity.

Economic Analysis

    The FAA estimates that 724 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 20 work hours per engine to perform the enhanced 
inspection. The average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The cost 
impact of the added inspections per engine is approximately $1,200 per 
year, with the approximate total cost for the U.S. fleet of $868,800 
per year.

Regulatory Analysis

    This proposed rule does not have federalism implications, as 
defined in Executive Order 13132, because it would not have a 
substantial direct effect 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. 
Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to 
publication of this proposed rule.
    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 removing Amendment 39-11941, (65 FR 
65730 November 2, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive:

Pratt & Whitney: Docket No. 98-ANE-61-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-21-09, 
Amendment 39-11941.

Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to Pratt & 
Whitney (PW) PW2037, PW2040, PW2037M, PW2240, PW2337, PW2043, 
PW2643, and PW2143, series turbofan engines, installed on but not 
limited to Boeing 757 series and Ilyushin IL-96T series airplanes.

    Note 1: This 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 already done.
    To prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure, 
which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to 
the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the manufacturer's Time Limits section (TLS) of the manufacturer's 
engine manual, as appropriate for PW PW2037, PW2040, PW2037M, 
PW2240, PW2337, PW2043, PW2643, and PW2143 series turbofan engines, 
and for air carriers revise the approved continuous airworthiness 
maintenance program, by adding the following:

    ``MANDATORY INSPECTIONS

    (1) Perform inspections of the following parts at each piece-
part opportunity in accordance with the instructions provided in 
PW2000 Engine Manuals 1A6231 and 1B2412:

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                                                                                     EM manual      Inspection/
                 Nomenclature                               Part No.                  section          check
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Hub, HPC Front................................  ALL.............................        72-35-02             -05
Disk, HPC Drum Rotor Assembly (7-15)..........  ALL.............................        72-35-03             -04
Disk, HPC Drum Rotor Assembly (16-17).........  ALL.............................        72-35-10             -05
Disk, HPC 16th Stage..........................  ALL.............................        72-35-06             -04
Disk, HPC 17th Stage..........................  ALL.............................        72-35-07             -04

[[Page 55140]]

 
LPC Drive Turbine Shaft.......................  ALL.............................        72-32-01             -06
Hub, Turbine Rear.............................  ALL.............................        72-53-81             -06
Disk, LPT 3rd Stage...........................  ALL.............................        72-53-31             -01
Disk, LPT 4th Stage...........................  ALL.............................        72-35-41             -01
Disk, LPT 5th Stage...........................  ALL.............................        72-32-51             -01
Disk, LPT 6th Stage...........................  ALL.............................        72-53-61             -01
Disk, LPT 7th Stage...........................  ALL.............................        72-53-71             -01
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    (2) For the purposes of these mandatory inspections, piece-part 
opportunity means:
    (i) The part is considered completely disassembled when done in 
accordance with the disassembly instructions in the manufacturer's 
engine manual to either part number level listed in the table above, 
and
    (ii) The part has accumulated more than 100 cycles in service 
since the last piece-part opportunity inspection, provided that the 
part was not damaged or related to the cause for its removal from 
the engine.''
    (b) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this AD, and 
notwithstanding contrary provisions in Sec. 43.16 of Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.16), these enhanced inspections must 
be performed only in accordance with the TLS of the appropriate 
PW2000 series engine manuals.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 (ECO). 
Operators must submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI), who may add comments and then 
send it to the Manager, ECO.

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

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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) FAA-certificated air carriers that have an approved 
continuous airworthiness maintenance program in accordance with the 
record keeping requirement of Sec. 121.369(c) of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations [14 CFR 121.369(c)] of this chapter must 
maintain records of the mandatory inspections that result from 
revising the Time Limits section of the Instructions for Continuous 
Airworthiness (ICA) and the air carrier's continuous airworthiness 
program. Alternatively, certificated air carriers may establish an 
approved system of record retention that provides a method for 
preservation and retrieval of the maintenance records that include 
the inspections resulting from this AD, and include the policy and 
procedures for implementing this alternate method in the air 
carrier's maintenance manual required by Sec. 121.369(c) of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations [14 CFR 121.369(c)]; however, the 
alternate system must be accepted by the appropriate PMI and require 
the maintenance records be maintained either indefinitely or until 
the work is repeated. Records of the piece-part inspections are not 
required under Sec. 121.380(a)(2)(vi) of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations [14 CFR 121.380(a)(2)(vi)]. All other Operators must 
maintain the records of mandatory inspections required by the 
applicable regulations governing their operations.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 25, 2001.
Robert Mann,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-27432 Filed 10-31-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U