[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 94 (Monday, May 17, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27489-27491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11644]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0245; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-15-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. PW615F-A 
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:

    A PW617F-E engine powered twin engined aircraft had recently 
experienced an uncommanded power reduction on one of its engines. 
Investigation showed that the Fuel Filter Bypass Valve poppet in the 
Fuel Oil Heat Exchanger (FOHE) on that engine had worn through the 
housing seat, allowing unfiltered fuel and debris to contaminate the 
Fuel Metering Unit (FMU), resulting in fuel flow drop and subsequent 
power reduction. Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. has confirmed that 
this is a dormant failure that could result in an unsafe condition.
    The PW615F-A engine Fuel Filter Bypass Valve is very similar to 
that of PW617F-E, but so far there have been no operational 
abnormalities reported due to subject valve failure on PW615F-A 
engines. However, evaluation by Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. has 
confirmed similar dormant failure of worn through poppets of the 
subject valve on some 615F-A engine installations, which could 
affect both engines at the same time on an aircraft and may result 
in an unsafe condition.

    We are proposing this AD to prevent uncommanded power reduction, 
which could result in the inability to continue safe flight and safe 
landing.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 1, 2010.

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

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-2010-0245; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-15-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

[[Page 27490]]

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 Canada AD CF-2010-03, dated January 20, 2010 (referred to after 
this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    A PW617F-E engine powered twin engined aircraft had recently 
experienced an uncommanded power reduction on one of its engines. 
Investigation showed that the Fuel Filter Bypass Valve poppet in the 
FOHE on that engine had worn through the housing seat, allowing 
unfiltered fuel and debris to contaminate the FMU, resulting in fuel 
flow drop and subsequent power reduction. Pratt & Whitney Canada 
Corp. has confirmed that this is a dormant failure that could result 
in an unsafe condition.
    The PW615F-A engine Fuel Filter Bypass Valve is very similar to 
that of PW617F-E, but so far there have been no operational 
abnormalities reported due to subject valve failure on PW615F-A 
engines. However, evaluation by Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. has 
confirmed similar dormant failure of worn through poppets of the 
subject valve on some 615F-A engine installations, which could 
affect both engines at the same time on an aircraft and may result 
in an unsafe condition.
    On December 9, 2009, Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. issued an ASB 
No. PW600-72-A63071 that introduced a new Fuel Filter Bypass Valve 
Assembly with an improved design poppet to help alleviate the 
subject poppet wear problem. This AD is issued to mandate 
replacement of FOHE Fuel Filter Bypass Valve on all PW615F-A engines 
as per the Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. ASB No. PW600-72-A63071 
instructions.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. has issued ASB No. PW600-72-A63071, 
Revision 1, dated January 7, 2010. 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 information 
provided by Transport 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 would require replacing the FOHE fuel filter 
bypass poppet valve with a larger fuel filter bypass poppet valve 
within 25 hours of the effective date of the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 378 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 3.5 work-hours per engine to 
comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-
hour. Required parts would cost about $22,582 per engine. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators to be $8,648,451.

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, 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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 Corp. (formerly Pratt & Whitney Canada, 
Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2010-0245; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-15-
AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by July 1, 2010.

Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. PW615F-A 
turbofan engines with fuel/oil heat exchanger (FOHE) part number (P/
N) 35C3778-01 or P/N 35C3778-02 installed. These engines are 
installed on, but not limited to, Cessna 510 (Mustang) airplanes.

Reason

    (d) This 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:

    A PW617F-E engine powered twin engined aircraft had recently 
experienced an uncommanded power reduction on one of its engines. 
Investigation showed that the Fuel Filter Bypass Valve poppet in the 
FOHE on that engine had worn through the housing seat, allowing 
unfiltered fuel and debris to contaminate the Fuel Metering Unit, 
resulting in fuel flow drop and subsequent power reduction. Pratt & 
Whitney Canada Corp. has confirmed that this is a dormant failure 
that could result in an unsafe condition.
    The PW615F-A engine Fuel Filter Bypass Valve is very similar to 
that of PW617F-E, but so far there have been no operational 
abnormalities reported due to subject valve failure on PW615F-A 
engines. However,

[[Page 27491]]

evaluation by Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. has confirmed similar 
dormant failure of worn through poppets of the subject valve on some 
615F-A engine installations, which could affect both engines at the 
same time on an aircraft and may result in an unsafe condition.

    We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded power reduction, 
which could result in the inability to continue safe flight and safe 
landing.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, replace the FOHE fuel filter bypass 
poppet valve with a larger fuel filter bypass poppet valve within 25 
hours of the effective date of the AD. Use paragraph 3.A. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. ASB No. 
PW600-72-A63071, Revision 1, dated January 7, 2010, to do the 
replacement.

Previous Credit

    (f) A fuel filter bypass poppet valve replacement performed 
before the effective date of this AD using Pratt & Whitney Canada 
Corp. ASB No. PW600-72-A63071, dated December 9, 2009, satisfies the 
replacement requirement of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) 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.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI Transport Canada AD CF-2010-03, dated January 
20, 2010, and Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. ASB No. PW600-72-A63071, 
Revision 1, dated January 7, 2010, for related information. Contact 
Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, 
Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; telephone 800-268-8000; fax 450-647-2888; 
Web site: http://www.pwc.ca, for a copy of this service information.
    (i) 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 May 10, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-11644 Filed 5-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P