[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 222 (Friday, November 18, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69218-69220]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-25019]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1477; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00632-E]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Turboprop 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6E-67XP model 
turboprop engines with serial number HP0194 and earlier. This proposed 
AD was prompted by multiple reports of engines failing to achieve 
required power (torque) during high power applications due to internal 
leaks in the bleed-off valves (BOVs). This proposed AD would require 
replacement of the compressor BOV assembly, replacement of the BOV 
orifice feed air tube assembly, and installation of a redesigned P3 
probe snorkel, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed 
for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by January 3, 2023.

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 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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1477; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For material that is proposed for IBR in this AD, contact 
Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: (888) 663-
3639; email: [email protected]. You may find this material on the 
Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
     You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: (781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-1477; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2022-00632-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. Any commentary that the FAA 
receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in 
the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, dated May 26, 2022 (Transport 
Canada AD CF-2022-26) (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to 
address an unsafe condition for P&WC PT6E-67XP model turboprop engines 
with serial number HP0194 and earlier. The MCAI states that there have 
been reports of multiple incidents in which engines were unable to 
achieve the required power (torque) during high power applications. A 
manufacturer

[[Page 69219]]

investigation found that contamination from the glass beads used in the 
manufacturing process during the gas generator casing (GGC) production 
caused internal leaks in the BOVs, preventing the BOVs from fully 
closing at high power settings. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
internal leaks in the BOVs, and to prevent the failure of the engine to 
achieve the required power (torque) during high power applications.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1477.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, which specifies 
procedures for the replacement of the compressor BOV assembly, 
replacement of the BOV orifice feed air tube assembly, and installation 
of a redesigned P3 probe snorkel.
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in ADDRESSES.

FAA's Determination

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the Transport Canada AD above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after 
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to 
exist or develop in other products of the same type design

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, described previously, except for any 
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this 
proposed AD and except as discussed under ``Differences Between This 
Proposed AD and the MCAI.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has since 
coordinated with other manufacturers and CAAs to use this process. As a 
result, the FAA proposes to incorporate by reference Transport Canada 
AD CF-2022-26 in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, 
require compliance with Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26 in its entirety 
through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as 
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common 
terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in the 
Transport Canada AD does not mean that operators need comply only with 
that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to 
``Compliance,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to 
the section titled ``Corrective Actions'' in Transport Canada AD CF-
2022-26. Service information required by the Transport Canada AD for 
compliance will be available at regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1477 after the FAA final rule is 
published.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Transport Canada AD

    Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26 refers to hours air time, this 
proposed AD requires using flight hours.
    Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26 specifies compliance from its 
effective date, this proposed AD would require using the effective date 
of this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 100 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace compressor BOV assembly.......  5 work-hours x $85 per           $13,102         $13,527      $1,352,700
                                         hour = $425.
Replace BOV orifice feed air tube       6 work-hours x $85 per            22,000          22,510       2,251,000
 assembly with P3 probe snorkel and      hour = $510.
 BOV orifice feed air tube assembly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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.

[[Page 69220]]

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Docket No. FAA-2022-1477; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2022-00632-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by January 3, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6E-67XP 
model turboprop engines with serial number HP0194 and earlier, as 
identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, dated May 26, 2022 
(Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of multiple incidents in which 
engines were unable to achieve the required power (torque) during 
high power applications due to internal leaks in the bleed-off 
valves (BOVs) caused by glass bead contamination. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to prevent internal leaks in the BOVs, and to prevent the 
failure of the engine to achieve the required power (torque) during 
high power applications. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in loss of thrust control and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: 
Perform all required actions within the compliance times specified 
in, and in accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26.

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26 refers to hours air 
time, this AD requires using flight hours.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26 specifies compliance 
from its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date 
of this AD.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in Transport Canada 
AD CF-2022-26 specifies to submit certain information to the 
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(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 Sec.  
39.19. In accordance with Sec.  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) of this AD or email 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) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: 
[email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, dated May 26, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, contact Transport 
Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: (888) 663-
3639; email: [email protected]; website: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (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, email: [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on November 10, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-25019 Filed 11-17-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P