[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 10, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50860-50862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21693]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 10, 2018 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 50860]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0624; Product Identifier 2013-NE-24-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-11-
06, which applies to all Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW2037, PW2037D, PW2037M, 
PW2040, PW2040D, PW2043, PW2143, PW2643, and F117-PW-100 turbofan 
engine models. AD 2017-11-06 requires initial and repetitive on-wing 
eddy current inspections (ECIs) of affected engines with certain 
diffuser and high-pressure turbine (HPT) cases installed. AD 2017-11-06 
also requires a fluorescent-penetrant inspection (FPI) of the diffuser 
case rear flange and the HPT case front flange. Since we issued AD 
2017-11-06, we learned of designated engineering representative (DER)-
approved diffuser case M-flange replacement repairs. This proposed AD 
would require an on-wing ECI of all diffuser case M-flange replacement 
repairs. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 26, 
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, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: 860-565-0140; 
fax: 860-565-5442; email: [email protected]; internet: http://fleetcare.pw.utc.com. 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-
0624; or in person at Docket Operations 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 Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin M. Clark, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
781-238-7088; 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-2018-0624; 
Product Identifier 2013-NE-24-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 2017-11-06, Amendment 39-18905 (82 FR 26979, June 13, 
2017), (``AD 2017-11-06''), for all PW PW2037, PW2037D, PW2037M, 
PW2040, PW2040D, PW2043, PW2143, PW2643, and F117-PW-100 turbofan 
engine models. AD 2017-11-06 requires initial and repetitive on-wing 
ECIs of affected engines with certain diffuser and HPT cases installed. 
AD 2017-11-06 also requires an FPI of the diffuser case rear flange and 
the HPT case front flange. AD 2017-11-06 resulted from the manufacturer 
determining through analysis that the inspections required by AD 2014-
05-32, which was prompted by a rupture of the diffuser case M-flange, 
were not adequate to maintain safety for diffuser cases that 
incorporate a wrought diffuser case M-flange. Also, repaired wrought 
flanges cannot be distinguished from other wrought flanges or from non-
repaired flanges on diffuser cases installed on the affected engines. 
We issued AD 2017-11-06 to add additional repetitive, on-wing ECIs.

Actions Since AD 2017-11-06 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2017-11-06, we learned of DER-approved diffuser 
case M-flange replacement repairs. The language in AD 2017-11-06 
requires additional on-wing ECIs for PW repairs; however, it does not 
address DER-approved diffuser case M-flange replacement repairs. The 
DER-approved diffuser case M-flange replacement repairs use the same 
wrought material as PWs and therefore require the same additional on-
wing ECIs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed PW Service Bulletin (SB) No. PW2000 72-763, Revision 
No. 1, dated August 30, 2013. The SB describes procedures for a one-
time ECI inspection of the engine diffuser case. We also reviewed PW 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW2000 A72-765, Revision No. 4, dated 
January 25, 2018. The ASB describes procedures for repetitive on-wing 
ECIs of the engine diffuser case assembly. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course

[[Page 50861]]

of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

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 of the requirements of AD 2017-
11-06. This proposed AD would also require an on-wing ECI of all 
diffuser case M-flange replacement repairs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 910 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On-wing/module ECI Inspection....  8 work-hours x $85               $0  $680...............  $230,520 per
                                    per hour = $680.                                          inspection cycle.
FPI Inspection...................  3 work-hours x $85               20  $275 per inspection  $250,250 per
                                    per hour = $255.                     cycle.               inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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) 
2017-11-06, Amendment 39-18905 (82 FR 26979, June 13, 2017), and adding 
the following new AD:

Pratt & Whitney Division: Docket No. FAA-2018-0624; Product 
Identifier 2013-NE-24-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 26, 
2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-11-06, Amendment 39-18905 (82 FR 26979, 
June 13, 2017).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW2037, PW2037D, 
PW2037M, PW2040, PW2040D, PW2043, PW2143, PW2643, and F117-PW-100 
turbofan engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Turbine/
Turboprop Engine.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a rupture of the diffuser-to-high-
pressure turbine (HPT) case flange. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the diffuser-to-HPT case flange. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained diffuser-
to-HPT case flange 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) For diffuser case, part number (P/N) 1B7461, serial numbers 
(S/Ns) DGGUAK1306 and DGGUAK1308, and HPT case, P/N 1B2440, S/N 
DKLBCS1032:
    (i) Within 100 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD, perform an eddy current inspection (ECI) of the diffuser case 
and the HPT case M-flange in accordance with PW Service Bulletin 
(SB) No. PW2000 72-763, Revision No. 1, dated August 30, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (2) For all diffuser and HPT cases, at the next piece-part 
opportunity after the effective date of this AD and every piece-part 
opportunity thereafter, perform a high sensitivity fluorescent-
penetrant inspection (FPI) of the entire diffuser case rear flange 
(M-flange) and boltholes, and the entire HPT case forward flange (M-
flange) and boltholes.
    (3) For all diffuser cases installed on any affected engine 
model except for F117-PW-100 turbofan engines, that have not

[[Page 50862]]

incorporated PW SB PW2000-72-364, have incorporated PW SB PW2000-72-
700, or have had an M-flange replacement, perform initial and 
repetitive ECIs of the diffuser case M-flange as follows:
    (i) Perform an initial ECI in accordance with the ``Last Shop 
Visit Activity'' column and before exceeding the maximum cycles 
since the last shop visit activity in the ``Initial Inspection'' 
column of Table 1 of PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW2000 A72-
765, Revision No. 4, dated January 25, 2018, or within 1,000 cycles 
from the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (ii) Evaluate the inspection results and perform re-inspections 
as necessary in accordance with Accomplishment Instructions, ``For 
Engines Installed on the Aircraft,'' paragraph 5, or the 
Accomplishment Instructions, ``For Engines Removed from the 
Aircraft,'' paragraph 4, of PW ASB No. PW2000 A72-765, Revision No. 
4, dated January 25, 2018, as applicable. If given a cycle range, 
perform the subsequent inspections before exceeding the maximum 
number of cycles.
    (iii) Inspect the diffuser case M-flange using, as applicable, 
either the Accomplishment Instructions, ``For Engines Installed on 
the Aircraft,'' paragraphs 3.I. through 3.J., or the Accomplishment 
Instructions, ``For Engines Removed from the Aircraft,'' paragraphs 
3.D. through 3.E., of PW ASB No. PW2000 A72-765, Revision No. 4, 
dated January 25, 2018.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, a ``piece-part opportunity'' is 
defined as when the part is completely disassembled.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) You may take credit for the diffuser case and HPT case 
inspections required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (3) of this AD if you 
performed:
    (i) an ECI of the diffuser case and the HPT case M-flange using 
the Accomplishment Instructions of PW SB No. PW2000 72-763, Original 
Issue, dated March 22, 2013, or
    (ii) a high sensitivity FPI of the diffuser case and the HPT 
case at a piece-part opportunity after January 1, 2010.
    (2) You may take credit for only the diffuser case inspections 
required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (3) of this AD if you performed an 
ECI of the diffuser case M-flange using the Accomplishment 
Instructions of PW ASB No. PW2000 A72-765, Revision No. 3, dated 
December 19, 2017, or an earlier version.

(j) 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 (k)(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.
    (3) AMOCs approved for AD 2017-11-06 (82 FR 26979, June 13, 
2017) are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this 
AD.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kevin M. Clark, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt 
& Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT, 06118; phone: 860-565-
0140; fax: 860-565-5442; email: [email protected]; internet: http://fleetcare.pw.utc.com. You may view this referenced 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 28, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-21693 Filed 10-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P