[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 198 (Thursday, October 13, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63571-63573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26478]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0199; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-005-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. Airplanes 
Equipped With Pratt & Whitney Canada, Corp. PW610F-A Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to revise an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
that applies to all Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. Model EA500 airplanes 
equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada, Corp. (P&WC) Model PW610F-A 
engines. The existing AD currently requires incorporating an operating 
limitation of a maximum operating altitude of 30,000 feet into Section 
2, Limitations, of the airplane flight manual (AFM). Since we issued 
that AD, P&WC has developed a design change for the combustion chamber 
liner assembly. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of the 
current AD, clarify the engine applicability, and allow the option of 
incorporating the design change to terminate the current operating 
limitation and restore the original certificated maximum operating 
altitude of 41,000 feet. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 28, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt & 
Whitney Canada, 1000 Marie-Victorin Blvd., Longueuil, Quebec, J4G 1A1 
Canada; telephone: (800) 268-8000; Internet: http://www.P&WC.ca. You 
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
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 Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Kinney, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Fort Worth Aircraft Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5459; fax: (817) 222-5960; e-
mail: [email protected].

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-2011-0199; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-005-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 because of 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 we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On March 3, 2011, we issued AD 2011-06-06, amendment 39-16631 (76 
FR 13078, March 10, 2011), for all Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. Model EA500 
airplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada, Corp. (P&WC) Model 
PW610F-A engines. That AD superseded AD 2008-24-07, amendment 39-15747 
(73 FR 70866, November 24, 2008) and requires incorporating an 
operating limitation of a maximum operating altitude of 30,000 feet 
into Section 2, Limitations, of the AFM. That AD resulted from several 
incidents of engine surge due to hard carbon build up blocking the 
static vanes at maximum operating altitude of 37,000 feet. We issued 
that AD to prevent hard carbon buildup on the static vane, which could 
result in engine surges. Engine surges may result in a necessary 
reduction in thrust and decreased power for the affected engine. In 
some cases, this could result in flight and landing under single-engine 
conditions.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2011-06-06, amendment 39-16631 (76 FR 13078, 
March 10, 2011), P&WC has issued a new service bulletin that 
incorporates a design change to the combustion chamber liner assembly. 
The current design of the combustion chamber liner assembly is a one-
piece configuration. The new design change involves replacing the 
combustion chamber liner assembly with one that has inner and outer 
liner assemblies that are held by cast heat shields.
    Upon replacing the combustion chamber liner assembly on both 
engines with the new design combustion chamber assemblies, the 
operating limits of the airplane can be restored to the original 
certificated maximum operating altitude of 41,000 feet.
    We have been informed that all new P&WC Model PW610F-A engines 
manufactured for new production Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. Model EA500 
airplanes will incorporate the new combustion chamber liner assembly. 
The serial numbers for these new engines will start after PCE-LA0583. 
Therefore, to make it clear that this proposed AD will not be 
applicable to the new production airplanes, we need to clarify the 
engine applicability to include an end serial number.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin P&WC S.B. No. 
60077, dated June 1, 2011. The service information describes procedures 
for

[[Page 63572]]

replacing the turbofan engine combustion chamber liner assembly with 
one that has inner and outer liner assemblies that include heat 
shields.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 2011-06-06, 
amendment 39-16631 (76 FR 13078, March 10, 2011). This proposed AD 
would also clarify the engine applicability and allow the option of 
incorporating Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin P&WC S.B. No. 
60077, dated June 1, 2011, to terminate the operating limitations set 
in AD 2011-06-06 and restore the original certificated altitude of 
41,000 feet.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 259 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

         Estimated Costs (Retained From AD 2011-06-06, Amendment 39-16631 (76 FR 13078, March 10, 2011)
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
             Action                      Labor cost             Parts cost          product         operators
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Incorporate operating             1 work-hour x $85 per     Not Applicable....             $85          $22,015
 limitations of maximum            hour = $85.
 operating altitude of 30,000
 feet into Section 2,
 Limitations, of the AFM.
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     The cost presented above is a cost estimate only. A person holding 
at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may insert the AFM 
change.

                                                 Estimated Costs
                                                [Optional action]
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                                                                                                  Cost on U.S.
             Action                    Labor cost            Parts cost      Cost per product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incorporation of Pratt &         20 work-hours x $85     $236,610 for both  $238,310 for both  $61,722,290 for
 Whitney Canada Service           per hour = $1,700 for   engines.           engines.           both engines.
 Bulletin P&WC S.B. No. 60077,    both engines.
 dated June 1, 2011, on both
 engines.
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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 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 that the 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

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 removing airworthiness directive 
(AD) 2011-06-06, amendment 39-16631 (76 FR 13078, March 10, 2011), and 
adding the following new AD:

Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. Model EA500 Airplanes Equipped With Pratt & 
Whitney Canada, Corp. Model PW610F-A Engines: Docket No. FAA-2011-
0199; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-006-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 28, 
2011.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD revises AD 2011-06-06, amendment 39-16631 (76 FR 13078, 
March 10, 2011).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model EA500 airplanes, all serial numbers, 
that are:
    (1) equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada, Corp. Model PW610F-A 
engines, all serial numbers up to and including serial number PCE-
LA0583; and

[[Page 63573]]

    (2) certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 72, Engine.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by several incidents of engine surge. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent hard carbon buildup on the static 
vane, which could result in engine surges. Engine surges may result 
in a necessary reduction in thrust and decreased power for the 
affected engine. In some cases, this could result in flight and 
landing under single-engine conditions. It is also possible this 
could affect both engines at the same time, requiring dual-engine 
shutdown.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Action Retained From AD 2011-06-06, Amendment 39-16631 (76 FR 
13078, March 10, 2011)

    (1) Before further flight after March 21, 2011 (the effective 
date retained from AD 2011-06-06), incorporate the following 
language into Section 2, Limitations, of your airplane flight manual 
(AFM): ``Per AD 2011-06-06, LIMIT THE MAXIMUM OPERATING ALTITUDE TO 
30,000 FEET (9144M) PRESSURE ALTITUDE.''
    (2) A person holding at least a private pilot certificate as 
authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 43.7) may insert the operating limitations into Section 2, 
Limitations, of the AFM. Make an entry into the aircraft logbook 
showing compliance with this portion of the AD in accordance with 
section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
    (3) You may incorporate paragraph (g) of this AD into Section 2, 
Limitations, of your AFM to comply with this AD.

(h) Optional Action To Restore Original Certificated Maximum 
Operating Altitude

    (1) You may, at any time after compliance with paragraph (g) of 
this AD, on both engines replace the turbofan engine combustion 
chamber liner assembly with one that has inner and outer liner 
assemblies that include heat shields. Do the replacements in 
accordance with Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin P&WC S.B. 
No. 60077, dated June 1, 2011. This includes the change to the 
weight and balance in paragraph 1.H. in the service bulletin.
    (2) Before further flight after doing the replacement specified 
in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, remove the limitation required in 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
    (3) Within 30 days after doing the replacement specified in 
paragraph (h)(1) of this AD or within 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, send a memo or email to 
Eric Kinney at the address specified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD 
notifying him of the completion of the replacement. In this 
notification, include the airplane serial number, engine serial 
numbers, and time-in-service (TIS) hours at the time of replacement.

(i) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Fort Worth ACO, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request 
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District 
Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the 
manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in the Related Information section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.
    (3) AMOCs approved for AD 2011-06-06, amendment 39-16631 (76 FR 
13078, March 10, 2011) are approved as AMOCs for this AD.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Eric Kinney, 
Aerospace Engineer, Fort Worth ACO, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5459; fax: (817) 222-5960; 
e-mail: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt 
& Whitney Canada, 1000 Marie-Victorin Blvd., Longueuil, Quebec, J4G 
1A1 Canada; telephone: (800) 268-8000; Internet: http://www.P&WC.ca. 
You may review copies of the referenced service information at the 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 6, 2011.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-26478 Filed 10-12-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P