[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63797-63799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25010]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0739; Product Identifier 2015-NE-07-AD; Amendment 
39-19782; AD 2019-22-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Turboshaft 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-20-04 
for certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6B-37A turboshaft 
engines. AD 2015-20-04 required initial and repetitive inspections 
until replacement of the No. 10 bearing, and eventual replacement of 
the No. 9 bearing, both located in the engine reduction gearbox (RGB) 
assembly. This AD requires removal from service and replacement of the 
No. 9 and No. 10 position bearings. This AD was prompted by reports of 
incorrect engine torque for PT6B-37A turboshaft engines. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 24, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 24, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, 
Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; phone: 800-268-8000; fax: 450-647-2888; 
website: https://www.pwc.ca/en/. 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0739.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0739; 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 AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), 
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: Barbara Caufield, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
781-238-7146; 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 to supersede AD 2015-20-04, Amendment 39-18282 (80 FR 
61717, October 14, 2015), (``AD 2015-20-04''). AD 2015-20-04 applied to 
certain P&WC PT6B-37A turboshaft engines. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on September 17, 2018 (83 FR

[[Page 63798]]

46898). The NPRM was prompted by reports of incorrect engine torque for 
PT6B-37A turboshaft engines. The NPRM proposed to require removal from 
service and replacement of the No. 9 and No. 10 position bearings. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation, which is the aviation authority 
for Canada, has issued Transport Canada AD CF-2015-01R1, dated November 
18, 2016 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to address the 
unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI states:

    Five incidents of incorrect engine torque indication have been 
reported for PT6B-37A engine installations on AW119MKII helicopters. 
A lower than actual engine torque indication due to a faulty 
indication system, particularly on a helicopter being operated at 
max allowable torque (90 to 110%) range, may result in undetected 
over-torque condition.
    Repeat undetected over-torque conditions that are not corrected 
in accordance with conditional inspection requirements of original 
equipment manufacturer (OEM) Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness (ICAs), may have a negative impact on the operational 
life of aircraft components. Investigation by P&WC has determined 
the root cause of the subject torque indication anomaly to be an 
axial migration of the #9 and #10 bearings at the engine torque 
sensing gear location.

    P&WC has introduced a new bearing configuration through its SB No. 
PT6B-72-39108, Revision No. 1, dated September 5, 2017, that 
effectively addresses the axial movement issue at No. 9 and No. 10 
bearing positions. You may obtain further information by examining the 
MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0739.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this AD. The following presents the comments received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the AD

    An individual commenter expressed support for the NPRM as written.

Miscellaneous Comments

    An individual commenter provided comments not relevant to this AD. 
The FAA did not change this AD.

Update to the Service Information

    The FAA determined the need to incorporate the latest service 
information in this AD. The FAA revised the reference to P&WC SB No. 
PT6B-72-39108 in the paragraph (g) of this AD from the original issue, 
dated September 30, 2016, to Revision No. 1, dated September 5, 2017.
    The FAA also updated the reference in paragraph (g) of this AD to 
P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39092 from Revision No. 4, dated December 29, 2014, 
to Revision No. 5, dated October 27, 2017.

Addition of Credit for Previous Action

    The FAA determined the need to add a Credit for Previous Action 
section to allow credit for previous replacement of the No. 9 and No 10 
position bearings if accomplished using P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39108, 
dated September 30, 2016.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this AD 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 P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39108, Revision No. 1, dated 
September 5, 2017. The SB describes procedures for replacing affected 
bearings. 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

    The FAA reviewed P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39092, Revision No. 5, dated 
October 27, 2017. The service information describes procedures for 
removing affected bearings.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 119 engines installed on 
helicopters 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove and replace No. 9 and No. 10     65 work-hours x $85 per          $37,874         $43,399      $5,164,481
 bearings.                               hour = $5,525.
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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 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

[[Page 63799]]

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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (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) 
2015-20-04, Amendment 39-18282 (80 FR 61717, October 14, 2015), and 
adding the following new AD:

2019-22-03 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Amendment 39-19782; Docket 
No. FAA-2018-0739; Product Identifier 2015-NE-07-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 24, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2015-20-04, Amendment 39-18282 (80 FR 61717, 
October 14, 2015).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6B-37A 
turboshaft engines with serial number (S/N) PCE-PU0275 or earlier or 
with engine S/N PCE-PU0278.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7210, Turbine Engine 
Reduction Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect engine torque for 
PT6B-37A turboshaft engines. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
axial movement at the No. 10 bearing position in the engine 
reduction gearbox (RGB) assembly. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in engine overtorque, failure of the engine, 
in-flight shutdown, and loss of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For affected engines that did not have the bearings replaced 
in accordance with P&WC Service Bulletin (SB) No. PT6B-72-39092, 
Revision No. 5, dated October 27, 2017, or earlier revision: Remove 
from service and replace the No. 9 and No. 10 position bearings at 
the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this AD, but 
no later than December 31, 2020, whichever occurs first, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A. and 
B., of P&WC SB PT6B-72-39108, Revision No. 1, dated September 5, 
2017.
    (2) For affected engines that had the bearings replaced in 
accordance with P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39092, Revision No. 5, dated 
October 27, 2017, or earlier revision: Remove from service and 
replace the No. 9 and No. 10 position bearings before December 31, 
2020, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 
3.A. and B., of P&WC SB PT6B-72-39108, Revision No. 1, dated 
September 5, 2017.

(h) Credit for Previous Action

    You may take credit for the No. 9 and No. 10 position bearing 
replacement required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if you performed 
the replacement before the effective date of this AD using P&WC SB 
No. PT6B-72-39108, dated September 30, 2016.

(i) Definition

    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 flanges, or any removal 
of the RGB assembly.

(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 Barbara 
Caufield, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-238-7146; fax: 781-238-7199; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2015-01R1, dated November 
18, 2016, for more information. You may examine the Transport Canada 
AD in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0739.

(l) 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 Canada Corp. (P&WC) Service Bulletin No. 
PT6B-72-39108, Revision No. 1, dated September 5, 2017.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For P&WC service information identified in this AD, contact 
Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, 
Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; phone: 800-268-8000; fax: 450-647-2888; 
website: https://www.pwc.ca/en/.
    (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 at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, email: [email protected], 
or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 4, 2019.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-25010 Filed 11-18-19; 8:45 am]
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