[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 77 (Friday, April 21, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20531-20533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3765]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24117; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-07-AD; 
Amendment 39-14570; AD 2006-08-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) PW535A 
Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) PW535A turboshaft engines with serial 
numbers (SNs) lower than DC0241, and with hydromechanical fuel control 
(HFC) part number (P/N) 819735-4, 819735-5, or 819735-6 installed. This 
AD requires inspection and verification of the proper adjustment of the 
ratio unit setscrew adjustment of installed HFC units. This AD results 
from incidents of PW535A turboshaft engines experiencing lack of 
response to the power lever input during attempted engine acceleration, 
due to an incorrect adjustment of the HFC ratio unit setscrew. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent lack of engine response to power lever 
input, which could cause a single or dual engine in-flight shutdown 
event.

DATES: Effective May 8, 2006. The Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed 
in the regulations as of May 8, 2006. We must receive any comments on 
this AD by June 20, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Contact Pratt & Whitney Canada, 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, 
Canada, J4G 1A1; telephone 800-268-8000; fax 450-647-2888, for the 
service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7178; 
fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Transport Canada, which is the airworthiness 
authority for Canada, recently notified us that an unsafe condition may 
exist on PWC PW535A turboshaft engines with SNs lower than DC0241. 
Transport Canada advises that they received reports of incidents of 
PW535A turboshaft engines experiencing lack of response to the power 
lever input during engine acceleration, due to an incorrect adjustment 
of the HFC ratio unit setscrew. Two events resulted in engine in-flight 
shutdowns.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of PWC Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW500-72-A30257, Revision 1, dated December 
3, 2004, that describes procedures for inspecting and verifying proper 
adjustment of the ratio unit setscrew of installed HFC units. Transport 
Canada classified this ASB as mandatory and issued AD CF-2004-28 in 
order to ensure the airworthiness of these PWC engines in Canada.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    This PW535A turboshaft engine model is manufactured in Canada 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, Transport Canada kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. We have examined the 
findings of Transport Canada, 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

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other PW535A turboshaft engines of the same type design. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent lack of engine response to power lever 
input, which could cause a single or dual engine in-flight shutdown 
event. This AD requires inspection and verification of the proper 
adjustment of the ratio unit setscrew of installed HFC units. You must 
use the service information described previously to perform the actions 
required by this AD.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

[[Page 20532]]

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 send us any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2006-24117; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-07-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the DMS Web 
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person at the Docket Management 
Facility Docket Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 
647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Department of 
Transportation Nassif Building at the street address stated in 
ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
the DMS receives them.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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:

2006-08-13 Pratt & Whitney Canada: Amendment 39-14570. Docket No. 
FAA-2006-24117; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-07-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 8, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) PW535A 
engines with serial numbers lower than DC0241, and with 
hydromechanical fuel control (HFC) part number (P/N) 819735-4, 
819735-5, or 819735-6 installed. These engine models are installed 
on, but not limited to, Cessna model 560 Citation (Encore) 
airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from incidents of PW535A engines 
experiencing lack of response to the power lever input during engine 
acceleration, due to an incorrect adjustment of the HFC ratio unit 
setscrew. We are issuing this AD to prevent lack of engine response 
to power lever input, which could cause a single or dual engine in-
flight shutdown event.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within 50 flight hours time-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD, unless the actions have already been 
done.
    (f) To ensure the HFC, P/N 819735-4, 819735-5, or 819735-6, 
ratio unit setscrew is properly adjusted, determine if the HFC 
serial number is listed in Table 1 of PWC Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. PW500-72-A30257, Revision 1, dated December 3, 2004.
    (1) If the HFC's serial number is listed in Table 1, ensure the 
HFC ratio unit setscrew is properly adjusted by following the 
instructions contained in paragraphs 3 B, C, D, E, F, G, and H of 
PWC ASB No. PW500-72-A30257, Revision 1, dated December 3, 2004.
    (2) If the HFC's serial number is not listed, this airworthiness 
directive is not applicable.

Prior Credit

    (g) Compliance with the original version of PWC ASB No. PW500-
72-A30257, dated December 2, 2003, before the effective date of this 
AD satisfies the requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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.

Related Information

    (i) Transport Canada airworthiness directive CF-2004-28, dated 
December 20, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Pratt & Whitney Canada Alert Service Bulletin 
No. PW500-72-A30257, Revision 1, dated December 3, 2004, to perform 
the actions 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. 
Contact Pratt & Whitney Canada, 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, 
Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; telephone 800-268-8000; fax 450-647-2888, 
for a copy of this service information. You may review

[[Page 20533]]

copies at the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-
401, Washington, DC 20590-0001, on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 14, 2006.
Robert G. Mann,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06-3765 Filed 4-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P