[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 27, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44681-44683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-18339]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 27, 2019 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 44681]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0365; Product Identifier 2019-NE-12-AD; Amendment 
39-19718; AD 2019-16-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1525G, 
PW1521G-3, PW1524G-3, PW1525G-3, PW1919G, PW1921G, PW1922G, PW1923G, 
and PW1923G-A model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by corrosion 
found on the high-pressure compressor (HPC) front hub, which could 
result in certain HPC front hubs cracking before reaching their 
published life limit. This AD requires revisions to the Airworthiness 
Limitations Section (ALS) of the manufacturer's Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness (ICA) and air carrier's approved Continued 
Airworthiness Maintenance Programs (CAMP) to incorporate new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 1, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 1, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06118; 
phone: 800-565-0140; fax: 860-565-5442; email: [email protected]; 
internet: http://fleetcare.pw.utc.com. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Engine 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-2019-0365.

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-2019-
0365; 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 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: 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:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all PW PW1519G, 
PW1521G, PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1525G, PW1521G-3, PW1524G-3, PW1525G-3, 
PW1919G, PW1921G, PW1922G, PW1923G, and PW1923G-A model turbofan 
engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 31, 2019 (84 
FR 25203). The NPRM was prompted by corrosion found on the HPC front 
hub, which could result in certain HPC front hubs cracking before 
reaching their published life limit. The NPRM proposed to require 
revisions to the ALS of the manufacturer's ICA and air carrier's 
approved CAMP to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed 
except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these 
minor changes:
     Are 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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed PW Service Bulletin (SB) PW1000G-A-72-00-0109-00A-
930A-D, Issue No. 001, dated April 2, 2019 (``PW SB PW1000G-A-72-00-
0109-00A-930A-D''), and PW SB PW1000G-A-72-00-0058-00B-930A-D, Issue 
No. 002, dated May 10, 2019 (``PW SB PW1000G-A-72-00-0058-00B-930A-
D''). PW SB PW1000G-A-72-00-0109-00A-930A-D describes the revised 
maximum cycle limits of the HPC front hub for PW PW1500G engines. PW SB 
PW1000G-A-72-00-0058-00B-930A-D describes the revised maximum cycle 
limits of the HPC front hub for PW PW1900 engines. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 18 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 44682]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the ALS and CAMP...............  1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85          $1,530
                                         hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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):

2019-16-15 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-19718; Docket No. FAA-2019-
0365; Product Identifier 2019-NE-12-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 1, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW1519G, PW1521G, 
PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1525G, PW1521G-3, PW1524G-3, PW1525G-3, 
PW1919G, PW1921G, PW1922G, PW1923G, and PW1923G-A model turbofan 
engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by corrosion found on the high-pressure 
compressor (HPC) front hub, which could result in certain HPC front 
hubs cracking before reaching their published life limit. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC front hub. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained release of 
the HPC front hub, 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 Action

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
Airworthiness Limitations Section of the PW Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness, and for air carrier operations, the 
approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program, with the 
following maximum cycle limits for HPC front hub, part number 
30G3210.
    (1) For PW PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1525G, 
PW1521G-3, PW1524G-3, and PW1525G-3 model turbofan engines, use the 
cycle limits established in Table 3, Revision to Table of Limits, of 
PW Service Bulletin (SB) PW1000G-A-72-00-0109-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 
001, dated April 2, 2019.
    (2) For PW PW1919G, PW1921G, PW1922G, PW1923G, and PW1923G-A 
model turbofan engines, use the cycle limits established in Table 3, 
Revision to Table of Limits, of PW SB PW1000G-A-72-00-0058-00B-930A-
D, Issue No. 002, dated May 10, 2019.

(h) 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 (i) 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

    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].

(j) 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 (PW) Service Bulletin (SB) PW1000G-A-72-00-
0109-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 001, dated April 2, 2019.
    (ii) PW SB PW1000G-A-72-00-0058-00B-930A-D, Issue No. 002, dated 
May 10, 2019.
    (3) For PW service information identified in this AD, contact 
Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: 
800-565-0140; fax: 860-565-5442; email:

[[Page 44683]]

[email protected]; internet: http://fleetcare.pw.utc.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 19, 2019.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-18339 Filed 8-26-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P