[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 242 (Friday, December 17, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78881-78883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31723]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0596; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-22-AD;
Amendment 39-16533; AD 2010-24-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Series Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Pratt & Whitney PW4000 series turbofan engines. This AD
requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections (BSI) or
fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI) for cracks in the anti-vortex
tube (AVT) shelf slots on the 10th stage disk of the high-pressure
compressor (HPC) drum rotor disk assembly. This AD results from 47
reports received since 2007 of HPC 10th stage disks found cracked in
the AVT shelf slots during shop visit inspections. We are issuing this
AD to prevent failure of the HPC 10th stage disk, uncontained engine
failure, and damage to the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective January 21, 2011. The Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain
publications listed in the regulations as of January 21, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD
from Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; telephone
(860) 565-8770; fax (860) 565-4503.
The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue,
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Gray, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7742; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to certain Pratt & Whitney
PW4000 series turbofan engines. We published the proposed AD in the
Federal Register on July 14, 2010 (75 FR 40757). That action proposed
to require initial and repetitive BSI or FPI for cracks in the AVT
shelf slots on the 10th stage disk of the HPC drum rotor disk assembly.
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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is provided in
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.
Request for Airplane Model Changes in the Applicability
One commenter, The Boeing Company, requests that we change the list
of airplane models in the applicability paragraph. The commenter
requests that we add the 747-400 and -400F airplane models, and remove
the 747-200 airplane model. These changes will make the list accurate.
We agree. We changed the AD applicability to reflect these changes.
Request To Include Engine Removal Disassembly Labor Costs
One commenter, Japan Airlines, requests that we change the costs of
compliance estimate to include engine removal and disassembly labor
costs. The commenter states that their domestic routes can go 7,000
cycles-in-service or more between engine overhauls. Since the
inspection compliance interval in the proposed AD is within every 7,200
cycles-in-service, some of their engines could be removed and
disassembled before they would normally be scheduled.
We do not agree. The inspection compliance interval of within every
7,200 cycles-in-service captures when most of the fleet will remove the
low-pressure turbine shaft, or overhaul the HPC. Most operators will
incur no additional costs. We did not change the AD.
Request To Add Service Bulletins as Terminating Action
Two commenters, Martinair Holland and Delta Airlines, Inc., request
that we add Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin (SB) No. PW4ENG 72-801 to
the AD as terminating action for the repeat inspection. The commenters
state that Pratt & Whitney issued that SB, as well as SB No. PW4G-100-
72-225, to introduce a redesigned HPC 9th stage stator that will
correct the cracking problem.
We agree. We modified the AD to include optional terminating action
for the repetitive inspections.
Reference the Latest Service Bulletin
Since we issued the proposed AD, Pratt & Whitney has issued
Revision 1 of Pratt & Whitney SB No. PW4ENG 72-799. We updated the AD
to reference Revision 1 of this SB.
[[Page 78882]]
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously.
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Interim Actions
These actions are interim actions and we may take further
rulemaking actions in the future.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 869 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about
one work-hour per engine to perform an inspection, and that the average
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about
$303,010 per HPC drum rotor disk assembly. About 61 HPC drum rotor disk
assemblies will need replacement due to cracks. Based on these figures,
we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $18,557,475.
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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:
2010-24-14 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-16533. Docket No. FAA-2010-
0596; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-22-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January
21, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following Pratt & Whitney turbofan
engines with a ring case configuration rear high-pressure compressor
(HPC) installed, that includes a 9th stage compressor stator segment
assembly with 24 slots. These engines are installed on, but not
limited to, Boeing 747-400/-400F, 767-200/-300, and MD-11 airplanes,
and Airbus A300-600, A310-300, A330-300, and A330-200 airplanes.
PW4000-94'' Engines
(1) PW4000-94'' series engine models PW4050, PW4052, PW4056,
PW4060, PW4060A, PW4060C, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A,
PW4158, PW4160, PW4460, PW4462, and PW4650, including all models
with a dash number suffix.
PW4000-100'' Engines
(2) PW4000-100'' series engine models PW4168A-1D and PW4170 with
serial numbers P735001 through P735039; and
(3) All engines converted to PW4164-1D, PW4168-1D, PW4168A-1D,
or PW4170 model engines.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from 47 reports received since 2007 of HPC
10th stage disks found cracked in the anti-vortex tube (AVT) shelf
slots during shop visit inspections. We are issuing this AD to
prevent failure of the HPC 10th stage disk, 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.
Initial Inspection of the AVT Shelf Slots
(f) For engines listed in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(3) of this
AD, do the following:
(1) Remove the low-pressure turbine (LPT) shaft and borescope-
inspect (BSI) for cracks in the AVT shelf slots on the 10th stage
disk of the HPC drum rotor disk assembly; or
(2) Remove the HPC drum rotor disk assembly and fluorescent-
penetrant inspect (FPI) for cracks in the AVT shelf slots on the
10th stage disk of the HPC drum rotor disk assembly.
(3) Perform the inspection:
(i) Within 7,200 cycles-in-service (CIS) since incorporation of
any of the following Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletins: (SB) No.
PW4ENG 72-755, SB No. PW4ENG 72-756, SB No. PW4ENG 72-757, SB No.
PW4ENG 72-759, or SB No. PW4G-100-72-220; or
(ii) Within 1,000 CIS after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later.
(4) If a crack is found, remove the HPC drum rotor disk assembly
from service.
(g) For engines listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD, do the
following:
(1) Remove the LPT shaft and BSI for cracks in the AVT shelf
slots on the 10th stage disk of the HPC drum rotor disk assembly; or
(2) Remove the HPC drum rotor disk assembly and FPI for cracks
in the AVT shelf slots on the 10th stage disk of the HPC drum rotor
disk assembly.
(3) Perform the inspection:
(i) Within 7,200 cycles-since-new; or
(ii) Within 1,000 CIS after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later.
(4) If a crack is found, remove the HPC drum rotor disk assembly
from service.
Repetitive Inspections of the AVT Shelf Slots
(h) Thereafter, perform a BSI or FPI for cracks in the AVT shelf
slots on the 10th stage HPC disk of the HPC drum rotor disk assembly
within every 7,200 cycles-since-last-inspection.
(i) If a crack is found, remove the HPC drum rotor disk assembly
from service.
Relevant Service Bulletins
(j) Use paragraphs 3.A through 3.H of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Pratt & Whitney SB No. PW4ENG 72-799, Revision
[[Page 78883]]
1, dated October 14, 2010, to perform the BSIs for engines listed in
paragraph(c)(1) of this AD.
(k) Use paragraphs 3.A through 3.H of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Pratt & Whitney SB No. PW4G-100-72-226, dated April
22, 2010, to perform the BSIs for engines listed in paragraphs(c)(2)
and (c)(3) of this AD.
Optional Terminating Action
(l) As optional terminating action to the repetitive inspection
requirements of this AD, install new 9th stage compressor stator
segments, part number (P/N) 50S479-01, P/N 50S479-02, P/N 50S479-03,
and P/N 50S479-04, and perform one of the following:
(1) At the time the new 9th stage compressor stator segments are
installed, replace the HPC drum rotor disk assembly with a new, 0
cycle, HPC drum rotor disk assembly; or
(2) At the time the new 9th stage compressor stator segments are
installed, replace the 10th stage HPC disk with a new, 0 cycle, 10th
stage HPC disk; or
(3) Perform a one-time BSI or FPI for cracks in the AVT shelf
slots on the 10th stage HPC disk of the HPC drum rotor disk assembly
between 4,000 and 7,200 cycles-in-service since installation of the
new 9th stage compressor stator segments.
(i) If a crack is found, remove the HPC drum rotor disk assembly
from service.
(ii) If no crack is found, then no further inspections are
required.
(4) Guidance on installation of the new 9th stage compressor
stator segments can be found in Pratt & Whitney SB No. PW4ENG 72-
801, Revision 1, dated September 8, 2010, for engines listed in
paragraph(c)(1) of this AD and in Pratt & Whitney SB No. PW4G-100-
72-225 dated April 20, 2010, for engines listed in paragraphs(c)(2)
and (c)(3) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(m) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority
to approve AMOCs for this AD if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(n) Contact James Gray, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification
Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected];
telephone (781) 238-7742; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information
about this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(o) You must use Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin (SB) No. PW4G-
100-72-226, dated April 22, 2010, and Pratt & Whitney SB No. PW4ENG
72-799, Revision 1, dated October 14, 2010, to perform the borescope
inspections required by this AD. The Director of the Federal
Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents
in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Pratt
& Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; telephone (860)
565-8770; fax (860) 565-4503, for a copy of this service
information. You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region,
12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; 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 November 17, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-31723 Filed 12-16-10; 8:45 am]
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