[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 173 (Monday, September 8, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52833-52835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22620]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NE-30-AD; Amendment 39-13295; AD 2003-18-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Wytwornia Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego (WSK) 
PZL-10W Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Wytwornia Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego

[[Page 52834]]

(WSK) PZL-10W turboshaft engines. This AD requires a one-time 
inspection of the four engine-to-gearbox pin retaining joints for loose 
or improperly crimped retaining nuts and damaged bolts on certain 
serial number engines. This AD is prompted by reports of loose or 
improperly crimped engine-to-gearbox pin joint retaining nuts found 
during overhaul. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of nut torque 
and loosening of engine-to-gearbox pin joint retaining nuts, which 
could result in misalignment of the engine to the gearbox, causing loss 
of drive to the gearbox, power turbine overspeed, and uncontained power 
turbine disc failure.

DATES: Effective September 23, 2003. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of September 23, 2003.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by November 7, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD:
    [sbull] By mail: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2003-NE-30-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
    [sbull] By fax: (781) 238-7055.
    [sbull] By e-mail: [email protected]
    You can get the service information referenced in this AD from 
Wytwornia Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego ``PZL--Rzeszow'' S. A., ul. Hetmanska 
120, 35-078 Rzeszow, P.O. Box 340, Poland, telephone 011-48-17-85-46-
100; fax 011-48-17-620-750.
    You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA. You may examine the service 
information, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park; Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 
238-7176; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Polish General Inspectorate of Civil 
Aviation, which is the airworthiness authority for Poland, recently 
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Wytwornia 
Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego (WSK) PZL-10W turboshaft engines. The Polish 
General Inspectorate of Civil Aviation advises that reports have been 
received of loose or improperly crimped engine-to-gearbox pin joint 
retaining nuts and damaged bolts found during overhaul.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Wytwornia 
Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego Obligatory Service Bulletin (OSB) No. E-19W096/
2000, (original issue--2000), that describes procedures for performing 
a one-time inspection of the four engine-to-gearbox pin retaining 
joints for loose or improperly crimped retaining nuts and damaged bolts 
on the serial number PZL-10W engines listed in the OSB. The Polish 
General Inspectorate of Civil Aviation classified this OSB as mandatory 
and issued AD No. SP-0008-2001-B, dated October 2, 2001.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    This engine model is manufactured in Poland and is 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. Under this bilateral 
airworthiness agreement, the Polish General Inspectorate of Civil 
Aviation has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. We 
have examined the findings of the Polish General Inspectorate of Civil 
Aviation, 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    Although no helicopters that are registered in the United States 
use these PZL-10W turboshaft engines, the possibility exists that the 
PZL-10W turboshaft engines could be used on helicopters that are 
registered in the United States in the future. The unsafe condition 
described previously is likely to exist or develop on other WSK PZL-10W 
turboshaft engines of the same type design. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent loss of nut torque and loosening of engine-to-gearbox pin joint 
retaining nuts, which could result in misalignment of the engine to the 
gearbox, causing loss of drive to the gearbox, power turbine overspeed, 
and uncontained power turbine disc failure. This AD requires performing 
a one-time inspection of the four engine-to-gearbox pin retaining 
joints for loose or improperly crimped retaining nuts and damaged bolts 
on the serial number PZL-10W engines listed in OSB No. E-19W096/2000, 
(original issue--2000). You must use the service information described 
previously to perform the actions required by this AD.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this engine 
model, notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD 
are unnecessary. Therefore, a situation exists that allows the 
immediate adoption of this regulation.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    On July 10, 2002, we issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 
47997, July 22, 2002), which governs our AD system. This regulation now 
includes material that relates to special flight permits, alternative 
methods of compliance, and altered products. This material previously 
was included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 
14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment; however, we invite you to submit any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-30-AD'' in the 
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of 
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with 
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and 
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule 
that might suggest a need to modify it. If a person contacts us 
verbally, and that contact relates to a substantive part of this AD, we 
will summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD 
in light of those comments.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications with you. You may get more information about plain 
language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

[[Page 52835]]

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service 
information), by appointment, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the 
location.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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 levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-30-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under 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:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-18-04--Wytwornia Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego: Amendment 39-13295. 
Docket No. 2003-NE-30-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective 
September 23, 2003.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Wytwornia Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego (WSK) 
PZL-10W turboshaft engines listed by serial number in Wytwornia 
Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego Obligatory Service Bulletin (OSB) No. E-
19W096/2000, (original issue--2000). These PZL-10W turboshaft 
engines are installed on, but not limited to PZL-SOKOL helicopters.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of loose or improperly 
crimped engine-to-gearbox pin joint retaining nuts and damaged bolts 
found during overhaul. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of nut 
torque and loosening of engine-to-gearbox pin joint retaining nuts, 
which could result in misalignment of the engine to the gearbox, 
causing loss of drive to the gearbox, power turbine overspeed, and 
uncontained power turbine disc failure.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed before further flight after the effective date of this 
AD, unless the actions have already been done.

Inspection

    (f) Inspect the four engine-to-gearbox pin retaining joints for 
loose or improperly crimped retaining nuts and damaged bolts on the 
serial number engines listed in WSK Obligatory Service Bulletin 
(OSB) No. E-19W096/2000, (original issue--2000), and replace 
loosened or improperly crimped nuts, damaged bolts and washers. Use 
Chapter II of Accomplishment Instructions of OSB No. E-19W096/2000, 
(original issue--2000) to do these actions.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Special Flight Permits

    (h) Special flight permits are prohibited.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Wytwornia Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego Obligatory 
Service Bulletin No. E-19W096/2000, (original issue--2000) to 
perform the inspection required by this AD. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this 
service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. You can get a copy from Wytwornia Sprzetu Komunikacyjnego 
``PZL--Rzeszow'' S. A., ul. Hetmanska 120, 35-078 Rzeszow, P.O. Box 
340, Poland, telephone 011-48-17-85-46-100; fax 011-48-17-620-750. 
You may review copies 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.

Related Information

    (j) Polish General Inspectorate of Civil Aviation AD No. SP-
0008-2001-B, dated October 2, 2001, also addresses the subject of 
this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 28, 2003.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-22620 Filed 9-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P