[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46898-46900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19862]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0739; Product Identifier 2015-NE-07-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Turboshaft 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2015-20-
04, which applies to certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6B-
37A turboshaft engines. AD 2015-20-04 requires initial and repetitive 
inspections until replacement of the No. 10 bearing, and eventual 
replacement of the No. 9 bearing, both located in the engine reduction 
gearbox (RGB) assembly. Since we issued AD 2015-20-04, P&WC has 
determined that the repetitive inspection of the bearings has an 
associated risk of gearbox damage or contamination and that the bearing 
installation required by AD 2015-20-04 does not adequately address the 
issue of bearing axial movement. This proposed AD would require removal 
from service and replacement of the No. 9 and No. 10 position bearings. 
We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 1, 
2018.

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 Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, 
J4G 1A1; phone: 800-268-8000; fax: 450-647-2888; website: http://www.pwc.ca. You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7759.

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-2018-
0739; or in person at the Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information, 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is 
listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
781-238-7146; 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 proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0739; 
Product Identifier 2015-NE-07-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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    We issued AD 2015-20-04, Amendment 39-18282 (80 FR 61717, October 
14, 2015), (``AD 2015-20-04''), for certain P&WC PT6B-37A turboshaft 
engines. AD 2015-20-04 requires initial and repetitive inspections 
until replacement of the No. 10 bearing, and eventual replacement of 
the No. 9 bearing, both located in the engine RGB assembly. AD 2015-20-
04 resulted from reports of incorrect engine torque for PT6B-37A 
engines. We issued AD 2015-20-04 to prevent axial movement at the No. 
10 bearing position in the engine RGB assembly, which could result in 
engine overtorque, failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss 
of the helicopter.

Actions Since AD 2015-20-04 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2015-20-04, P&WC has determined that the 
repetitive inspection of the bearings in P&WC Service Bulletin (SB) 
PT6B-72-39095, Revision No. 3, dated December 29, 2014, has an 
associated risk of gearbox damage or contamination. P&WC also 
determined that the bearing installation in P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39092, 
Revision No. 4, dated December 29, 2014, as required by AD 2015-20-04, 
does not adequately address the issue of bearing axial movement.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39108, dated September 30, 2016. 
The SB describes procedures for replacing affected bearings. 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 P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39092, Revision No. 4, dated 
December 29, 2014. The service information describes procedures for 
removing affected bearings.

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

[[Page 46899]]

develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain none of the requirements of AD 2015-
20-04. This proposed AD would introduce a new bearing configuration 
that addresses the axial movement at the No. 9 and No. 10 bearing 
positions and remove the repetitive inspection requirements of AD 2015-
20-04. This proposed AD would also remove the previously mandated 
bearing configuration in P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39092, Revision No. 4, 
dated December 29, 2014.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 119 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove and replace No. 9 and No. 10     65 work-hours x $85 per          $37,874         $43,399      $5,164,481
 bearings.                               hour = $5,525.
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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 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

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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2015-20-04, Amendment 39-18282 (80 FR 61717, October 14, 2015), (``AD 
2015-20-04''), and adding the following new AD:

Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Docket No. FAA-2018-0739; Product 
Identifier 2015-NE-07-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 1, 
2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2015-20-04, Amendment 39-18282 (80 FR 61717, 
October 14, 2015).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6B-37A 
turboshaft engines with serial number (S/N) PCE-PU0275 or earlier or 
with engine S/N PCE-PU0278.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7210, Turbine Engine 
Reduction Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect engine torque for 
PT6B-37A turboshaft engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent axial 
movement at the No. 10 bearing position in the engine reduction 
gearbox (RGB) assembly. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in engine overtorque, failure of the engine, in-flight 
shutdown, and loss of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For affected engines that did not have the bearings replaced 
in accordance with P&WC Service Bulletin (SB) No. PT6B-72-39092, 
Revision No. 4, dated December 29, 2014, or earlier revision:
    (i) Remove from service and replace the No. 9 and No. 10 
position bearings at the next engine shop visit after the effective 
date of this AD, but no later than December 31, 2020, whichever 
occurs first, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraphs 3.A. and B., of P&WC SB PT6B-72-39108, dated September 
30, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (2) For affected engines that had the bearings replaced in 
accordance with P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39092, Revision No. 4, dated 
December 29, 2014, or earlier revision:
    (i) Remove from service and replace the No. 9 and No. 10 
position bearings before December 31, 2020, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A. and B., of P&WC SB 
PT6B-72-39108, dated September 30, 2016.

[[Page 46900]]

    (ii) Reserved.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the 
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges, or any removal 
of the RGB assembly.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO Branch, 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 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j)(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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Barbara 
Caufield, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7146; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2015-01R1, dated November 
18, 2016, for more information. You may examine the Transport Canada 
AD in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2018-0739.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt 
& Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, 
Canada J4G 1A1; phone: 800-268-8000; fax: 450-647-2888; website: 
http://www.pwc.ca. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 7, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-19862 Filed 9-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P