[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 14, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67763-67764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27168]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0546; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-15-AD; 
Amendment 39-17253; AD 2012-22-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Pratt & Whitney Division PW4050, PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4060A, 
PW4060C, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4160, 
PW4460, PW4462, and PW4650 turbofan engines, including models with any 
dash number suffix. This AD was prompted by 16 reports of damaged or 
failed 3rd stage low-pressure turbine (LPT) duct segments. This AD 
requires removing from service certain part numbers (P/Ns) of 3rd stage 
LPT duct segments. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 3rd 
stage LPT duct segments, which could lead to LPT rotor damage, 
uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective December 19, 2012.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt 
& Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; phone: 860-565-8770; 
fax: 860-565-4503. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Gray, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
& Propeller Directorate, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7742; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 11, 2012 (77 FR 
40822). That NPRM proposed to require removal from service of 3rd stage 
LPT duct segments P/Ns 50N095; 50N095-001; 50N235; 50N235-001; 50N494-
01; 50N494-001; 50N495-01; and 50N495-001, at the next piece-part 
exposure after the effective date of the proposed AD.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to each comment.

Agreement With the Proposed AD

    One commenter, Boeing, agreed with the intent of the proposed AD.

Request To Reference Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin PW4ENG 72-488

    One commenter, FedEx Express, requested that we add a reference to 
Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin PW4ENG 72-488 for a list of the engine 
serial numbers affected. We assume this request was made to add 
clarity.
    We do not agree. The AD applicability is for PW4000 engines with 
certain P/N 3rd stage LPT duct segments installed. Although the Pratt & 
Whitney Service Bulletin does list engine serial numbers, it is not 
necessary to include this information in the AD. We did not change the 
AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD as proposed.

[[Page 67764]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 151 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate that no additional labor costs 
will be incurred to perform the required work as the work is done when 
the 3rd stage LPT duct segments are at piece-part exposure. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $44,441 
per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the 
AD to U.S. operators will be $6,710,591.

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

    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),
    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA 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 (AD):

2012-22-16 Pratt & Whitney Division: Amendment 39-17253 ; Docket No. 
FAA-2012-0546; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-15-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 19, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney Division PW4050, PW4052, 
PW4056, PW4060, PW4060A, PW4060C, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156, 
PW4156A, PW4158, PW4160, PW4460, PW4462, and PW4650 turbofan 
engines, including models with any dash number suffix, with 3rd 
stage low-pressure turbine (LPT) duct segments part numbers (P/Ns) 
50N095; 50N095-001; 50N235; 50N235-001; 50N494-01; 50N494-001; 
50N495-01; or 50N495-001, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by 16 reports of damaged or failed 3rd 
stage LPT duct segments. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure 
of the 3rd stage LPT duct segments, which could lead to LPT rotor 
damage, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

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

(f) 3rd Stage LPT Duct Segments Removal from Service

    At the next piece-part exposure after the effective date of this 
AD, remove from service 3rd stage LPT duct segments, P/Ns 50N095; 
50N095-001; 50N235; 50N235-001; 50N494-01; 50N494-001; 50N495-01; 
and 50N495-001.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install into any 
engine any 3rd stage LPT duct segment, P/N 50N095; 50N095-001; 
50N235; 50N235-001; 50N494-01; 50N494-001; 50N495-01; or 50N495-001, 
that is at piece-part exposure.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, piece-part exposure is when the 3rd 
stage LPT duct segment is removed from the engine and completely 
disassembled.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact James Gray, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine & Propeller Directorate, FAA, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7742; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
    (2) Pratt & Whitney Engine-Duct Segment, Third Stage LPT 
Assembly Service Bulletin No. PW4ENG 72-488 is related to this AD.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt 
& Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; phone: 860-565-
8770; fax: 860-565-4503. You may review copies of the service 
information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 29, 2012.
Colleen M. D'Allessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-27168 Filed 11-13-12; 8:45 am]
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