[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 164 (Friday, August 22, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49619-49621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19390]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0752; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-22-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) JT15D-5;
-5B; -5F; and -5R Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as follows:
There have been several reported incidents of high altitude,
dual engine flameout on JT15D-5 engines powered aircraft operating
in certain meteorological conditions. Subsequent to the
investigation of incidents,
[[Page 49620]]
review of the engine design has revealed that the Fuel Control Hydro
Mechanical Unit (HMU) P3 servo can be exposed to excessive moisture
and freezing.
We are proposing this AD to prevent engine flameout, and possible dual-
engine flameout events, caused by excessive moisture and freezing in
the P3 servo, during certain flight conditions.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 22,
2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
the same as the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park; Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7178; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0752;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-22-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search
function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any
of our dockets, including, if provided, 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).
Discussion
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Canadian AD CF-2008-23, dated June 27, 2008 (referred to after
this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states the following:
There have been several reported incidents of high altitude,
dual engine flameout on JT15D-5 engine powered aircraft operating in
certain meteorological conditions. Subsequent to the investigation
of incidents, review of the engine design has revealed that the Fuel
Control HMU P3 servo can be exposed to excessive moisture and
freezing. To preclude P3 servo freezing, P&WC has issued JT15D ASB
No. JT15D-72-A7611 to re-route compressor delivery air to the HMU
and improve moisture separation.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
P&WC has issued ASB No. JT15D-72-A7611, Revision 1, dated June 16,
2008. The actions described in this service information are intended to
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of Canada,
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with Canada, they have notified us of the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced
above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the
information provided by Canada and determined the unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design. This proposed AD requires replacing the compressor air to
HMU delivery tube with a new, re-routed tube. The new tube provides
warmer and dryer P3 air, improves moisture separation, and directs the
moisture away from the HMU through a drain hole.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 1,500 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate
that it would take about 3 work-hours per product to comply with this
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required
parts would cost about $1,981 per product for JT15D-5 and -5R engines,
and $3,169 per product for JT15D-5B and -5R engines. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to
be $4,222,500. Our cost estimate is exclusive of possible warranty
coverage.
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 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 responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative,
[[Page 49621]]
on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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 FAA 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 adding the following new AD:
Pratt & Whitney Canada: Docket No. FAA-2008-0752; Directorate
Identifier 2008-NE-22-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by September 22, 2008.
Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following Pratt & Whitney Canada
(P&WC) turbofan engines with compressor air to HMU delivery tube,
part number (P/N) 3119150-01 installed:
(1) JT15D-5 turbofan engines, serial numbers (SNs) below and
including SN PCE-100411.
(2) JT15D-5 turbofan engines, SNs below and including SN PCE-
JA0818.
(3) All JT15D-5B turbofan engines.
(4) All JT15D-5F turbofan engines.
(5) JT15D-5R turbofan engines SNs below and including SN PCE-
JG0104.
(6) All JT15D-5 turbofan engines converted to model JT15D-5R by
incorporation of P&WC Service Bulletin No. 7605.
These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Cessna
models 500; 501; 550; 551; S550; 560; and 560 Ultra airplanes;
Mitsubishi models 300 and 300-10 airplanes; and Hawker Beechcraft
models 400; 400A; and 400T airplanes.
Reason
(d) Transport Canada AD CF-2008-23, dated June 27, 2008, states:
There have been several reported incidents of high altitude,
dual engine flameout on JT15D-5 engines powered aircraft operating
in certain meteorological conditions. Subsequent to the
investigation of incidents, review of the engine design has revealed
that the Fuel Control Hydro Mechanical Unit (HMU) P3 servo can be
exposed to excessive moisture and freezing. To preclude P3 servo
freezing, P&WC has issued JT15D Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) JT15D-
72-A7611 to re-route compressor delivery air to the HMU and improve
moisture separation. Considering the potentially hazardous
consequence of possible in-flight dual engine flameout, this
airworthiness directive is issued to mandate the incorporation of
P&WC ASB JT15D-72-A7611 to the affected JT15D-5 engines, in order to
minimize the possibility of this hazard.
We are issuing this AD to prevent engine flameout, and possible
dual-engine flameout events, caused by excessive moisture and
freezing in the P3 servo, during certain flight conditions.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD
or by December 31, 2008, whichever occurs first, remove from service
compressor air to HMU delivery tube, P/N 3119150-01.
(2) Install a serviceable compressor air to HMU delivery tube.
(3) Tube installation in accordance with P&WC Alert Service
Bulletin (ASB) No. JT15D-72-A7611, Revision 1, dated June 16, 2008,
meets the requirements of this AD.
Prohibition of Compressor Air to HMU Delivery Tube, P/N 3119150-01
(4) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any
compressor air to HMU delivery tube, P/N 3119150-01, onto any
engine.
Definition
(f) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable compressor air to
HMU delivery tube is a compressor air to HMU delivery tube that is
other than the old/removed tube part number listed in this AD.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19.
Previous Credit
(h) Replacement of the compressor air to HMU delivery tube using
P&WC ASB No. JT15D-72-A7611, dated March 26, 2008, before the
effective date of this AD, meets the requirements of this AD.
Related Information
(i) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2008-23, dated June 27,
2008, for related information.
(j) Contact Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification
Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park; Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected];
telephone (781) 238-7178; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information
about this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 15, 2008.
Robert G. Mann,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-19390 Filed 8-21-08; 8:45 am]
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