[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P