[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 223 (Monday, November 19, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58194-58196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24965]



[[Page 58194]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0920; Product Identifier 2016-NE-09-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Turbofan 
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) 2016-22-
05, which applies to certain Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4164, 
PW4164-1D, PW4168, PW4168-1D, PW4168A, PW4168A-1D, and PW4170 turbofan 
engines. AD 2016-22-05 requires initial and repetitive inspections of 
the affected fuel nozzles and their replacement with parts eligible for 
installation. Since we issued AD 2016-22-05, PW introduced newly forged 
fuel nozzles, fuel manifold brackets, and clamps. This proposed AD 
would require initial and repetitive inspections of the affected fuel 
nozzles and fuel nozzle supply manifold assemblies, replacement of the 
affected fuel nozzles with parts eligible for installation, and the 
installation of new brackets and clamps on the fuel supply manifold 
assemblies with parts eligible for installation. We are proposing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 3, 2019.

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 06108; phone: 860-
565-8770; fax: 860-565-4503. 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-
0920; 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: Scott Hopper, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7154; 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-2018-0920; 
Product Identifier 2016-NE-09-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 2016-22-05, Amendment 39-18694 (81 FR 75686, November 
1, 2016), (``AD 2016-22-05''), for certain PW PW4164, PW4164-1D, 
PW4168, PW4168-1D, PW4168A, PW4168A-1D, and PW4170 turbofan engines. AD 
2016-22-05 requires initial and repetitive inspections of the affected 
fuel nozzles and their replacement with parts eligible for 
installation. AD 2016-22-05 resulted from several instances of fuel 
leaks on PW engines installed with the Talon IIB combustion chamber 
configuration. We issued AD 2016-22-05 to prevent failure of the fuel 
nozzles, which could lead to engine fire and damage to the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2016-22-05 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2016-22-05, multiple PW4000 turbofan engines 
experienced fuel leaks resulting in engine fires. A subsequent review 
of the potential causes identified cracks in the fuel manifold at the 
braze joint. As a result, PW published PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
PW4G-100-A73-47, dated March 10, 2017, and PW Service Bulletin (SB) 
PW4G-100-73-48, Revision No. 1, dated April 24, 2018, to introduce a 
forged fuel nozzle that removes the brazed inlet fitting and adds new 
brackets and clamps to the fuel supply manifolds to dampen combustion 
chamber vibrations.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed PW ASB PW4G-100-A73-45, dated February 16, 2016; PW ASB 
PW4G-100-A73-47, dated March 10, 2017; and PW SB PW4G-100-73-48, 
Revision No. 1, dated April 24, 2018. PW ASB PW4G-100-A73-45 describes 
procedures for inspecting and replacing the fuel nozzles. PW ASB PW4G-
100-A73-47 describes procedures for replacing the fuel nozzle and 
support assembly. PW SB PW4G-100-73-48 describes procedures for 
replacing the fuel nozzle manifold assemblies and installing new 
brackets and clamps on the manifolds. 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.

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 2016-22-05. 
This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections and 
replacement of the affected fuel nozzles. This proposed AD would also 
require replacement of the affected fuel nozzle supply manifold 
assemblies and the installation of new brackets and clamps on the fuel 
supply manifold assemblies with parts eligible for installation.

[[Page 58195]]

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    PW ASB PW4G-100-A73-47, dated March 10, 2017, requires the 
installation of the new fuel nozzles by April 1, 2019, which is 
approximately 24 months from the PW ASB issue date. This AD requires 
initial inspection and replacement of failed fuel nozzles before 
further flight and installation of new fuel nozzles within 24 months 
after the effective date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 72 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect fuel nozzles...............  2.2 work-hours x $85 per                 $0            $187         $13,464
                                      hour = $187.
Open and close cowl doors (on-wing)  1 work-hour x $85 per hour                0              85           6,120
                                      = $85.
Remove and replace (24) fuel         48 work-hours x $85 per          423,471.12      427,551.12   30,783,680.64
 nozzles.                             hour = $4,080.
Remove and re-install necessary      23 work-hours x $85 per                   0           1,955         140,760
 hardware according to AMM.           hour = $1,955.
Replace Fuel Supply Manifold Tubes   16 work-hours x $85 per           77,158.97       78,518.97    5,653,365.84
 and install new clamps/brackets.     hour = $1,360.
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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) 
2016-22-05, Amendment 39-18694 (81 FR 75686, November 1, 2016), and 
adding the following new AD:

Pratt & Whitney Division: Docket No. FAA-2018-0920; Product 
Identifier 2016-NE-09-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by January 3, 
2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2016-22-05, Amendment 39-18694 (81 FR 75686, 
November 1, 2016).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Division (PW):
    (1) PW4164, PW4168, and PW4168A model engines that have fuel 
nozzles, part number (P/N) 51J345, installed, and that have any of 
the following installed: Talon IIB combustion chamber per PW Service 
Bulletin (SB) PW4G-100-72-214, dated December 15, 2011; ring case 
configuration (RRC) high-pressure compressor (HPC) per PW SB PW4G-
100-72-219, Revision No. 1, dated October 5, 2011, or original 
issue; or the outer combustion chamber assembly waspaloy nuts per PW 
SB PW4G-100-72-253, dated November 24, 2014;
    (2) PW4168A model engines with Talon IIA outer combustion 
chamber assembly, P/N 51J100 or 51J382, and fuel nozzles, P/N 
51J345, with serial numbers CGGUA19703 through CGGUA19718, 
inclusive, or CGGUA22996 and higher, installed;
    (3) PW4168A-1D and PW4170 model engines with engine serial 
numbers P735001 through P735190, inclusive, and fuel nozzles, P/N 
51J345, installed; and
    (4) PW4164-1D, PW4168-1D, PW4168A-1D, and PW4170 model engines 
that have installed the RRC HPC per PW SB PW4G-100-72-220, Revision 
No. 4, dated September 30, 2011, or earlier revision, and have fuel 
nozzles, P/N 51J345, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7310, Engine Fuel 
Distribution.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by several instances of fuel leaks on PW 
engines with the Talon IIB combustion chamber configuration 
installed. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fuel 
nozzles. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
engine fire and damage to the airplane.

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(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 800 flight hours (FHs) after December 6, 2016, the 
effective date of AD 2016-22-05, or before further flight, whichever 
occurs later, and after that within every 800 FHs accumulated on the 
fuel nozzles, perform the following:
    (i) Inspect all fuel nozzles, P/N 51J345, in accordance with 
Part A, of PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) PW4G-100-A73-45, dated 
February 16, 2016.
    (ii) For any fuel nozzle that fails the inspection, before 
further flight, remove and replace with a part that is eligible for 
installation.
    (2) At next shop visit or within 24 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform the following:
    (i) Remove all fuel nozzles, P/N 51J345, in accordance with Part 
A, of PW ASB PW4G-100-A73-47, dated March 10, 2017, and replace with 
parts eligible for installation.
    (ii) Replace the fuel nozzle manifold supply assemblies and 
install the new brackets and clamps on the fuel supply manifolds in 
accordance with Accomplishment Instructions, ``For Engines Installed 
on Aircraft'' or ``For Engines Not Installed on Aircraft,'' of PW SB 
PW4G-100-73-48, Revision No. 1, dated April 24, 2018.

(h) Definitions

    (1) 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 case flanges, except for 
the following situations, which do not constitute an engine shop 
visit:
    (i) Separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of 
transportation of the engine without subsequent maintenance.
    (ii) Separation of engine flanges solely for the purpose of 
replacing the fan or propulsor without subsequent engine 
maintenance.
    (2) For the purpose of this AD, a part that is ``eligible for 
installation'' is a fuel nozzle with a P/N other than 51J345 that is 
FAA-approved for installation, and that meets the requirements of 
Part A, paragraph 5.B., or Part B, paragraph 2, of PW ASB PW4G-100-
A73-47, dated March 10, 2017.

(i) Terminating Action

    Installation of the eligible fuel nozzles, replacement of 
manifold supply assemblies, and installation of brackets and clamps 
in accordance with (g)(2) of this AD constitutes terminating action 
for the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD.

(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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Scott Hopper, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7154; 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 06108; phone: 
860-565-8770; fax: 860-565-4503. 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 November 9, 2018.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-24965 Filed 11-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P