[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 164 (Friday, August 25, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40514-40516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17827]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0719; Product Identifier 2017-NE-22-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division

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 all 
Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, 
PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was 
prompted by the discovery of multiple cracked outer diffuser cases. 
This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections to 
detect cracks in the outer diffuser case and removal from service of 
cases that fail inspection. We are proposing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 25, 
2017.

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 NPRM, contact Pratt & 
Whitney Division, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: 800-
565-0140; fax: 860-565-5442. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation 
Division, 1200 District Avenue, 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0719; 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 NPRM, 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: Jo-Ann Theriault, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, ECO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division,1200 District 
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7105; fax: 781-238-7199; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0719; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-22-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM 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 NPRM.

Discussion

    We were notified of the discovery of multiple cracked outer 
diffuser cases. This proposed AD requires initial and repetitive 
inspections to detect cracks in the outer diffuser case and removal 
from service of cases that fail inspection. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the outer diffuser case, 
uncontained case release, damage to the engine, and damage to the 
airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed PW Service Bulletin (SB) No. PW4G-112-A72-347, dated 
March, 31, 2017. This PW SB provides guidance on performing outer 
diffuser case fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI). This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Other Related Service Information

    We reviewed PW4000 Series (112 Inch) Engine Cleaning, Inspection 
and Repair (CIR) Manual, Part Number 51A750, Revision Number 74, 
section 72-41-13, Inspection/Check-02, dated July 15, 2017. This manual 
section provides guidance on performing the high sensitivity FPI of the 
outer diffuser case at piece-part exposure.

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 require initial and repetitive inspections 
to detect cracks in the outer diffuser case and removal from service of 
cases that fail inspection.

 Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 121 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 40515]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tt3 boss inspection................  3.5 work-hours x $85 per                 $0         $297.50      $35,997.50
                                      hour = $297.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We estimate six cases will need to be replaced in the domestic fleet.

                                                On-Condition Cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FPI Inspection of outer diffuser case......  10 work-hours x $85 per hour =                   $0         $850.00
                                              $850.00.
Replacement of outer diffuser case.........  $0.................................         750,000         750,000
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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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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),
    (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

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):

Pratt & Whitney Division: Docket No. FAA-2017-0719; Product 
Identifier 2017-NE-22-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 25, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4074, 
PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan 
engines with outer diffuser case, part number (P/N) 50J775 or P/N 
50J930, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7240, Turbine Engine 
Combustion Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery of multiple cracked outer 
diffuser cases. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
outer diffuser case. The unsafe condition, if not corrected, could 
result in failure of the outer diffuser case, uncontained case 
release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Perform an initial high sensitivity fluorescent penetrant 
inspection (FPI) of the outer diffuser case T3 thermocouple probe 
boss (Tt3 boss) prior to accumulating 13,000 cycles since new (CSN), 
or within 1,000 flight cycles from the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later. If the case CSN is unknown, inspect within 
1,000 flight cycles from the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Thereafter, repeat the high sensitivity FPI of the outer 
diffuser case Tt3 boss within 2,000 flight cycles since the last 
FPI.
    (3) If a crack is found during the inspections required by 
paragraphs (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, re-inspect or remove the outer 
diffuser case from service as follows:
    (i) For engines installed on-wing, re-inspect or remove in 
accordance with Part A, 1.G., of PW Service Bulletin (SB) No. PW4G-
112-A72-347, dated March 31, 2017.
    (ii) For assembled engines not installed on-wing, re-inspect or 
remove in accordance with Part B, 1.C., of PW SB No. PW4G-112-A72-
347, dated March 31, 2017.
    (iii) For disassembled engines, remove from service before 
further flight.

[[Page 40516]]

    (4) Within 30 days of the effective date of this AD, update the 
mandatory inspections of the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) 
of your Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to include the 
piece-part inspections of the diffuser case as defined in Figure 1 
to paragraph (g) of this AD.

                                   Figure 1 to Paragraph (g)--Addition to ALS
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                                                       CIR manual
          Description                 Part No.           section      CIR manual inspection       CIR manual
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case, Diffuser, Outer..........  All...............        72-41-13  Inspection/Check (I/C-   P/N 51A750
                                                                      02).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, FAA, ECO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness 
Division, 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 ECO Branch, send it to 
the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this 
AD. You may email your request to: [email protected].
    (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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Jo-Ann 
Theriault, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, ECO Branch, Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7105; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt 
& Whitney Division, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: 
800-565-0140; fax: 860-565-5442. You may view this referenced 
service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 18, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-17827 Filed 8-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P