[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50719-50721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-21010]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0771; Product Identifier 2019-NE-27-AD; Amendment 
39-19747; AD 2019-19-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain 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 requires initial 
and repetitive inspections of the low-pressure compressor (LPC) inlet 
guide vane (IGV) and the LPC rotor 1 (R1) and, depending on the results 
of the inspections, possible replacement of the LPC. This AD was 
prompted by two recent in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs) that occurred as the 
result of failures of the LPC R1. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 26, 2019.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by November 12, 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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    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-2019-0771.

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-
0771; 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 street address for the Docket Operations 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: 

Discussion

    The FAA received reports of two recent IFSDs on PW PW1524G-3 model 
turbofan engines. The first IFSD occurred on July 25, 2019 and the 
second IFSD occurred on September 16, 2019. These IFSDs were due to 
failure of the LPC R1, which resulted in the LPC R1 releasing from the 
LPC case and damaging the engine. LPC rotor failures historically have 
released high-energy debris that has resulted in damage to engines and 
airplanes (see Advisory Circular (AC) 39-8, ``Continued Airworthiness 
Assessments of Powerplant and Auxiliary Power Unit Installations of 
Transport Category Airplanes,'' dated September 8, 2003, available at 
rgl.faa.gov).
    Although these IFSDs occurred on PW PW1524G-3 model turbofan 
engines, the FAA is including PW PW1900 engines in the applicability of 
the AD because similarities in type design make these engines 
susceptible to the same unsafe condition as PW PW1500 engines. This 
condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained release of the 
LPC R1, in-flight shutdown, damage to the engine, damage to the 
airplane, and loss of control of the airplane. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin (SB) PW1000G-A-
72-00-0125-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 001, dated September 23, 2019, and PW 
SB PW1000G-A-72-00-0075-00B-930A-D, Issue No. 001, dated September 23, 
2019. The SBs contain procedures for performing borescope inspections 
of the LPC R1 and the LPC IGV actuation system on engines that have 
less than 300 flight cycles since new.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this AD because it 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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections of 
the LPC IGV and the LPC R1 and, depending on the results of the 
inspections, replacement of the LPC.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD interim action. The investigation into 
the two recent failures on the PW PW1524G-3 model turbofan engines is 
on-going and the FAA may pursue further rulemaking action at a later 
date.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment 
procedures

[[Page 50720]]

for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that those 
procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public 
interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good cause, may 
issue a final rule without seeking comment prior to the rulemaking. 
Similarly, Section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to make rules 
effective in less than 30 days, upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule. 
Two PW1524G-3 model turbofan engines recently experienced failures of 
the LPC R1. LPC rotor failures can release high-energy debris from the 
engine and damage the airplane (see AC 39-8, ``Continued Airworthiness 
Assessments of Powerplant and Auxiliary Power Unit Installations of 
Transport Category Airplanes,'' dated September 8, 2003).
    Both failures of the LPC R1 occurred at low flight cycles since new 
(154 and 230 flight cycles). The manufacturer has recommended that 
these inspections occur within the next 50 flight cycles and the FAA 
has adopted that recommendation. Based on current operational usage of 
the affected airplanes, 50 flight cycles equates to approximately 7 to 
10 operating days. Therefore, the FAA has determined that low flight 
cycle rotors require inspections within the next 50 flight cycles from 
the effective date of this AD to prevent LPC R1 failures. Because of 
the need for operators to begin the required inspections within 50 
flight cycles, the FAA has made this AD effective upon publication in 
the Federal Register. Accordingly, the FAA determined that the risk of 
operation of the affected engines without initial and repetitive 
inspections of the LPC IGV and the LPC R1 is unacceptable.
    The FAA considers the need for initial and repetitive inspections 
of the LPC IGV and the LPC R1 to be an urgent safety issue. 
Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are 
impracticable and contrary to public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for the reasons stated above, the FAA finds 
that good cause exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this 
amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, the FAA invites you to send any written data, views, 
or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2019-
0771 and Product Identifier 2019-NE-27-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final 
rule. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, 
RFA analysis is not required.

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:

                                                 Estimated costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
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Borescope inspection per inspection     4 work-hours x $85 per                 0            $340          $6,120
 cycle.                                  hour = $340.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
borescope inspections. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace LPC................................  40 work-hours x $85 per hour =             $156,000        $159,400
                                              $3,400.
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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.
    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

[[Page 50721]]

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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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):

2019-19-11 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-19747; Docket No. FAA-2019-
0771; Product Identifier 2019-NE-27-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 26, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Models PW1519G, PW1521G, 
PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1525G, PW1521G-3, PW1524G-3, PW1525G-3, 
PW1919G, PW1921G, PW1922G, PW1923G, and PW1923G-A turbofan engines 
that have accumulated fewer than 300 flight cycles.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by two recent in-flight shutdowns on PW 
PW1524G-3 model turbofan engines, due to failure of the low-pressure 
compressor (LPC) rotor 1 (R1). The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the LPC R1. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in uncontained release of the LPC R1, damage to the engine, 
damage to the airplane, and loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 50 flight cycles from the effective date of this AD, 
and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 flight cycles until the 
engine accumulates 300 flight cycles, borescope inspect each LPC 
inlet guide vane (IGV) stem for proper alignment.
    (2) Within 50 flight cycles from the effective date of this AD, 
and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 flight cycles until the 
engine accumulates 300 flight cycles, borescope inspect the LPC R1 
for damage and cracks at the following locations:
    (i) The blades tips;
    (ii) the leading edge;
    (iii) the leading edge fillet to rotor platform radius; and
    (iv) the airfoil convex side root fillet to rotor platform 
radius.
    (3) As the result of the inspections required by paragraphs 
(g)(1) and (2) of this AD, before further flight, remove and replace 
the LPC if:
    (i) An IGV is misaligned; or
    (ii) there is damage on an LPC R1 that exceeds serviceable 
limits; or
    (iii) there is any crack in the LPC R1.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g):  Guidance on determining serviceable 
limits can be found in PW Service Bulletin (SB) PW1000G-A-72-00-
0125-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 001, dated September 23, 2019, and PW SB 
PW1000G-A-72-00-0075-00B-930A-D, Issue No. 001, dated September 23, 
2019.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, a misaligned IGV is an IGV that is 
rotated about its radial axis at a different angle than the 
remainder of the IGVs in the circumferential set.

(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. 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

    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].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 24, 2019.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-21010 Filed 9-25-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P