[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51196-51198]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18921]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-ANE-43-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney JT8D-209, -217, -217A, 
-217C, and -219 Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT8D-209, -217, -217A, -217C, 
and -219 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 
opportunity. This proposed AD 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. We are proposing this AD to prevent critical life-limited 
rotating engine part failure, which could result in an uncontained 
engine failure and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by October 18, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
     By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 98-ANE-43-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
     By fax: (781) 238-7055.
     By e-mail: [email protected].
    You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Lardie, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 
238-7189, fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 98-ANE-43-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 proposed 
AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a 
substantive part of this proposed 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 proposed 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 that affect you. You may get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

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

Discussion

    On June 18, 2002, the FAA issued airworthiness directive (AD) 2002-
13-09, Amendment 39-12797 (67 FR 44527, July 3, 2002), to require 
revisions to the TLS of the manufacturer's Engine Manuals (EMs) for 
these engines to include required enhanced inspection of selected 
critical life-limited parts at each piece-part opportunity.

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 PW JT8D-209, -217, -217A, -217C, and -219 
turbofan engines of the same type design, the proposed AD would 
supersede AD 2002-13-09 to add additional critical life-limited parts 
for enhanced inspection at each piece-part opportunity.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 2,345 Pratt & Whitney JT8D-209, -217, -217A, -217C, 
and -219 turbofan engines of the affected design in the worldwide 
fleet. We estimate that 1,143 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD. We also estimate that 
it would take about 8 work hours per engine to perform the proposed 
inspections, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. 
Since this is an added inspection requirement, included as part of the 
normal maintenance cycle, no additional part costs are involved. Based 
on these figures, the total cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $594,360.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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

[[Page 51197]]

responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    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. Would 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 proposal 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. 98-ANE-43-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-12797 (67 FR 
44527 July 3, 2002), and by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

Pratt & Whitney: Docket No. 98-ANE-43-AD. Supersedes AD 2002-13-09, 
Amendment 39-12797.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by October 18, 
2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-13-09.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT8D-209, -217, -
217A, -217C, and -219 turbofan engines. These engines are installed 
on, but not limited to Boeing 727 and McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series 
airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from the need to require enhanced inspection 
of selected critical life-limited parts of JT8D-209, -217, -217A, -
217C, and -219 turbofan engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
critical life-limited rotating engine part failure, which could 
result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.
    (f) Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
(1) revise the Time Limits section (TLS) of the manufacturer's 
Engine Manual, Part Number 773128, as appropriate for PW JT8D-209, -
217, -217A, -217C, and -219 turbofan engines, and (2) for air 
carriers, revise the approved mandatory inspections section of the 
continuous airworthiness maintenance program, by adding the 
following:

``Critical Life Limited Part Inspection

A. Inspection Requirements

    (1) This section contains the definitions for individual engine 
piece-parts and the inspection procedures, which are necessary, when 
these parts are removed from the engine.
    (2) It is necessary to do the inspection procedures of the 
piece-parts in Paragraph B when:
    (a) The part is removed from the engine and disassembled to the 
level specified in paragraph B and
    (b) The part has accumulated more than 100 cycles since the last 
piece part inspection, provided that the part is not damaged or 
related to the cause of its removal from the engine.
    (3) The inspections specified in this section do not replace or 
make unnecessary other recommended inspections for these parts or 
other parts.

B. Parts Requiring Inspection

    Note: Piece part is defined as any of the listed parts with all 
the blades removed.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Description               Section         Inspection No.
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Hub (Disk), 1st Stage Compressor:
    Hub Detail--All P/Ns.........     72-33-31  -02, -03, -04.
    Hub Assembly--All P/Ns.......     72-33-31  -02, -03, -04.
Disk, 13th Stage Compressor--All      72-36-47  -02.
 P/Ns.
HP Turbine, First Stage:
    Rotor Assembly--All P/Ns.....     72-52-02  -04.
    Disk--All P/Ns...............     72-52-02  -03.
Disk, 2nd Stage Turbine--All P/Ns     72-53-16  -02.
Disk, 3rd Stage Turbine--All P/Ns     72-53-17  -02.
Disk, 4th Stage Turbine--All P/Ns     72-53-18  -02.''
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Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) You must perform these mandatory inspections using the TLS 
and the applicable Engine Manual unless you receive approval to use 
an alternative method of compliance under paragraph (h) of this AD. 
Section 43.16 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.16) may 
not be used to approve alternative methods of compliance or 
adjustments to the times in which these inspections must be 
performed.
    (h) 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.

Maintaining Records of the Mandatory Inspections

    (i) You have met the requirements of this AD by using a TLS of 
the manufacturer's engine manual changed as specified in paragraph 
(f) of this AD, and, for air carriers operating under part 121 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 121), by modifying 
your continuous airworthiness maintenance plan to reflect those 
changes. You must maintain records of the mandatory inspections that 
result from those changes to the TLS according to the regulations 
governing your operation. You do not need to record each piece-part 
inspection as compliance to this AD. For air carriers operating 
under part 121, you may use either the system established to comply 
with section 121.369 or use an alternative system that your 
principal maintenance inspector has accepted if that alternative 
system:
    (1) Includes a method for preserving and retrieving the records 
of the inspections resulting from this AD; and
    (2) Meets the requirements of section 121.369(c); and
    (3) Maintains the records either indefinitely or until the work 
is repeated.
    (j) These recordkeeping requirements apply only to the records 
used to document the mandatory inspections required as a result of 
revising the TLS as specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, and do 
not alter or amend the recordkeeping requirements for any other AD 
or regulatory requirement.

[[Page 51198]]

Related Information

    (k) None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 12, 2004.
Ann Mollica,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-18921 Filed 8-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P