[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 20, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58075-58077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28707]


 ========================================================================
 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. 66, No. 224 / Tuesday, November 20, 2001 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 58075]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-ANE-47-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney JT9D Series Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of 
comment period.

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

SUMMARY: This action revises an earlier proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD), applicable to certain Pratt & Whitney JT9D series 
turbofan engines, that would supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) by adding additional critical life-limited parts for 
enhanced inspection. That proposal was prompted by an FAA study of in-
service events involving uncontained failures of critical rotating 
engine parts. This action revises the proposed rule by adding rear 
compressor drive turbine shafts to the parts to be included in the 
revision to the manufacturer's Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) 
of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA), and the approved 
continuous airworthiness maintenance program for air carrier 
operations. 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 20, 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-47-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: Tara Goodman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 
238-7130, 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.
    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-47-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-47-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to add an airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to 
certain Pratt & Whitney JT9D series turbofan engines, was published as 
a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on 
October 10, 2001 (66 FR 51609). That NPRM would have modified the 
airworthiness limitations section of the manufacturer's manual and air 
carrier's approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program to 
incorporate additional inspection requirements. That NPRM was prompted 
by an FAA study of in-service events involving uncontained failures of 
critical rotating engine parts. That condition, if not corrected, could 
result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.
    Since the issuance of that NPRM, the FAA has become aware that rear 
compressor drive turbine shafts were inadvertantly omitted from the 
list of parts for enhanced inspection, and must be added. This proposal 
would add to that NPRM, modification of the airworthiness limitations 
section of the manufacturer's manual and air carrier's approved 
continuous airworthiness maintenance program to incorporate additional 
inspection requirements.
    Since this change expands the scope of the originally proposed 
rule, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment 
period to provide additional opportunity for public comment.

Economic Analysis

    The FAA estimates that 837 engines installed on airplanes of US 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 1 work hour per engine to do the proposed actions. The 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures the 
total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $954,180.

Regulatory Analysis

    The regulations adopted herein will 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

[[Page 58076]]

levels of government. Therefore, it is determined that this action does 
not have federalism implications under Executive Order (EO) 13132.
    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 effect, 
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: Docket No. 98-ANE-47-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-01-13, 
Amendment 39-11511.

Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to Pratt & 
Whitney (PW) JT9D-3A, -7, -7A, -7H, -7AH, -7F, -7J, -20J, -59A, -
70A, -7Q, -7Q3, -7R4D, -7R4D1, -7R4E, -7R4E1, -7R4E4, -7R4G2, and -
7R4H1 series turbofan engines, installed on but not limited to 
Boeing 747 and 767 series, McDonnell Douglas DC-10 series, and 
Airbus Industrie A300 and A310 airplanes.

    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

    Compliance with this AD is 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, do the following:

Inspections

    (a) Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
revise the manufacturer's Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of 
the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA), and for air 
carrier operations 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 the 
applicable manual provisions:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Engine manual part                        FPI per manual
          Engine model                  number         Part nomenclature        section           Inspection
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/7A/7AH/7F, 7H/7J/20/20J.......  646028 (or the      All Fan Hubs......  72-31-04..........  02
                                   equivalent
                                   customized
                                   versions, 770407
                                   and 770408).
                                                      All HPC Stage 5-15  72-35-00..........  03
                                                       Disks and Rear
                                                       Compressor Drive
                                                       Turbine Shafts.
                                                      All HPT Stage 1-2   72-51-00..........  03
                                                       Disks and Hubs.
                                                      All LPT Stage 3-6   72-52-00..........  03
                                                       Disks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
59A/70A.........................  754459............  All Fan Hubs......  72-31-00..........  Heavy Maintenance
                                                                                               Check.
                                                      All HPC Stage 5-15  72-35-00..........  Heavy Maintenance
                                                       Disks and Rear                          Check.
                                                       Compressor Drive
                                                       Turbine Shafts.
                                                      All HPT Stage 1-2   72-51-00..........  Heavy Maintenance
                                                       Disks and Hubs.                         Check-3.
                                                      All LPT Stage 3-6   72-52-00..........  Heavy Maintenance
                                                       Disks.                                  Check-3.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7Q/7Q3..........................  777210............  All Fan Hubs......  72-31-00..........  03
                                                      All HPC Stage 5-15  72-35-00..........  03
                                                       Disks and Rear
                                                       Compressor Drive
                                                       Turbine Shafts.
                                                      All HPT Stage 1-2   72-51-00..........  03
                                                       Disks and Hubs.
                                                      All LPT State 3-6.  72-52-00..........  03
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7R4.............................  785058, 785059,     All Fan Hubs......  72-31-00..........  03
                                   and 789328.
                                                      All HPC Stage 5-15  72-35-00..........  03
                                                       Disks and Rear
                                                       Compressor Drive
                                                       Turbine Shafts.
                                                      All HPT Stage 1-2   72-51-00..........  03
                                                       Disks and Hubs.

[[Page 58077]]

 
                                                      All LPT Stage 3-6.  72-52-00..........  03
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* P/N 770407 and 770408 are customized versions of P/N 646028 engine manual.

    (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; 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 (c) of this AD, and 
notwithstanding contrary provisions in section 43.16 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.16), these mandatory inspections 
must be performed only in accordance with the ALS of the 
manufacturer's ICA.

Alternative Method 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, 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 done.

Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program

    (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.

    Note 3: The requirements of this AD have been met when the 
engine manual changes are made and air carriers have modified their 
continuous airworthiness maintenance plans to reflect the 
requirements in the Engine Manuals.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 8, 2001.
Diane S. Romanosky,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-28707 Filed 11-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P