[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 58 (Tuesday, March 26, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11211-11214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05708]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0924; Product Identifier 2018-NE-34-AD; Amendment
39-19600; AD 2019-06-02]
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 certain
Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4158 turbofan engines. This AD was
prompted by several reports of high cycle fatigue (HCF) cracks found in
the fuel nozzle supply manifold. This AD requires replacement of the
affected fuel nozzles and fuel nozzle manifold supply assemblies with
parts eligible for installation. This AD also requires installation of
new brackets and clamps on the fuel nozzle supply manifold assemblies.
We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective April 30, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 30,
2019.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108;
phone: 860-565-8770; fax: 860-565-4503. You may view this service
information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also
available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0924.
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-
0924; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is 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: Scott Hopper, Aerospace Engineer, ECO
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-
[[Page 11212]]
238-7154; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain PW PW4158 turbofan
engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 19,
2018 (83 FR 58199). The NPRM was prompted by several reports of HCF
cracks found in the fuel nozzle supply manifold. The NPRM proposed to
require replacement of the affected fuel nozzles and fuel nozzle
manifold supply assemblies with parts eligible for installation. The
NPRM also proposed to require installation of new brackets and clamps
on the fuel nozzle supply manifold assemblies. We are issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Use Overhauled Fuel Manifolds
United Parcel Service Co. (UPS) and Pratt & Whitney requested that
the AD clarify that overhauled fuel manifolds that have had new tube
details installed meet the intent of installing new fuel manifolds
called for in Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin (SB) PW4ENG 73-224,
dated November 8, 2017. UPS and Pratt & Whitney noted that the
equivalent Pratt & Whitney SB PW4G-100-73-48, Revision No. 1, dated
April 24, 2018, for PW PW4000-100 engines, allows use of repaired
manifolds.
We disagree because Pratt & Whitney SB PW4ENG 73-224, dated
November 8, 2017, does not allow the installation of overhauled fuel
manifolds with new tube details. We recommend that operators who would
like to use overhauled manifolds submit an AMOC request.
Request To Clarify Applicability
SR Technics Switzerland Ltd. requested we clarify the
identification of potentially affected engines since part number (P/N)
51J228 is a sales order option and does not appear in PW service
bulletins. UPS recommended that we revise the applicability to refer to
``All Engines that incorporate Talon II Burner Sales Order Option P/N
51J228.'' The commenters indicated that P/N 51J228 is not listed in the
applicable PW parts catalogue or in a service bulletin.
We partially agree. We agree to clarify the applicability of this
AD. We disagree with referring to ``engines that incorporate Talon II
Burner Sales Order Option P/N 51J228'' as this reference is not
sufficiently clear to operators. We revised the Applicability of this
AD to refer to the specifically affected engine serial numbers.
Request for Previous Credit
UPS requested that the rule include a ``Credits for Previous
Actions'' section in this AD stating that affected engines that have
fully incorporated prior revisions of both Pratt & Whitney SB PW4ENG
73-223, dated February 5, 2018, and Pratt & Whitney SB PW4ENG 73-224,
dated November 8, 2017, may take credit for the required actions. UPS
reasoned that PW is considering publishing a revision to Pratt &
Whitney SB PW4ENG 73-224 that will allow use of overhauled fuel supply
manifolds.
We disagree. We cannot give credit for previous action based on
service bulletins that have not been published. We did not change this
AD.
Request To Revise Compliance
UPS commented that paragraph (g)(1) in the NPRM only referred to P/
N 51J344. UPS noted that there are other pre-SB 73-223 part numbers,
such as P/N 51J235, that may be found installed in Talon II engines.
UPS suggested that we revise the compliance paragraph (g)(1) in this AD
to be similar to paragraph (g)(2) of this AD--for example, ``Replace
the 24 fuel nozzles with part number 51J397 per Pratt & Whitney SB
PW4ENG 73-223.''
We agree. Fuel nozzle designs other than P/N 51J397 are also
susceptible to braze joint cracking. We revised paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD based on the change suggested by the commenter.
Support for the AD
The Air Line Pilots Association International expressed support for
the AD as written.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this final rule with the changes described previously and minor
editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
[Agr]re consistent with the intent that was proposed in
the NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final
rule.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Pratt & Whitney SB PW4ENG 73-224, dated November 8,
2017. The SB describes procedures for replacing the fuel nozzle supply
manifold assemblies with parts eligible for installation, and
installing new brackets and clamps on the fuel nozzle supply 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.
Other Related Service Information
We reviewed Pratt & Whitney SB PW4ENG 73-223, dated February 5,
2018. This SB describes procedures for replacing the fuel nozzles and
fuel nozzle support assemblies with parts eligible for installation.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 114 engines installed on airplanes
of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Remove and replace (24) fuel nozzles 48 work-hours x $85 per $423,471.12 $427,551.12 $48,740,827.68
hour =$4,080.
Replace fuel supply manifold tubes 16 work-hours x $85 per 77,158.97 78,518.97 8,951,162.58
and install new clamps and brackets. hour = $1,360.
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[[Page 11213]]
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
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):
2019-06-02 Pratt & Whitney Division: Amendment 39-19600; Docket No.
FAA-2018-0924; Product Identifier 2018-NE-34-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective April 30, 2019.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Division PW4158 turbofan
engines designated by a-3 on the Engine Data Plate and with the
following engine serial numbers: 728534 to 728555; 728557 to 728585;
728587 to 728591; 728593; 728598; 729808 to 729824; or 729826 to
729864.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7310, Engine Fuel
Distribution.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by several reports of high cycle fatigue
(HCF) cracks found in the fuel nozzle supply manifold tube at the
braze joint interface. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of
the fuel nozzles. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in engine fire, 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
No later than the next engine shop visit after the effective
date of this AD, do the following:
(1) Remove any of the 24 fuel nozzles, part number (P/N) 51J235
or 51J344, and replace with P/N 51J397.
(2) Replace the fuel nozzle manifold supply assemblies and
install new brackets and clamps on the fuel supply manifolds in
accordance with the ``For Engines Installed on Aircraft'' or ``For
Engines Not Installed on Aircraft'' sections, as applicable, of the
Accomplishment Instructions in Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin (SB)
PW4ENG 73-224, dated November 8, 2017.
(h) Definitions
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:
(1) Separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of
transportation of the engine without subsequent maintenance.
(2) Separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of
replacing the fan or propulsor without subsequent maintenance.
(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) of this AD. Information may be emailed
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
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].
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin PW4ENG 73-224, dated
November 8, 2017.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Pratt & Whitney service information identified in this
AD, contact Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT
06108; phone: 860-565-8770; fax: 860-565-4503.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine and
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA
01803. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 781-238-7759.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
[[Page 11214]]
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 19, 2019.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-05708 Filed 3-25-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P