[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11779-11781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03605]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1478; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00668-E; 
Amendment 39-22337; AD 2023-03-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2004-04-
09, which applied to certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) JT15D-
1, JT15D-1A, and JT15D-1B model turbofan engines. AD 2004-04-09 
required a one-time borescope inspection (BSI) of the rear face of 
certain impellers for evidence of a machined groove or step, and repair 
or replacement of the impeller if a groove or step is found. Since the 
FAA issued AD 2004-04-09, the FAA was notified of an uncontained 
failure of an impeller installed on a P&WC JT15D-1A engine during 
takeoff and subsequent investigation by the manufacturer that 
discovered machining marks on the impeller. This AD was prompted by 
three prior reports of uncontained failure of the impeller, and one 
additional recent report of an in-service uncontained failure event. 
This AD requires borescope fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of 
the rear face of certain impellers for evidence of machining witness 
lines and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of 
the impeller, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is 
incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 31, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 31, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1478; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and

[[Page 11780]]

5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For Transport Canada service information incorporated by 
reference 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]; website: 
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. It is 
also available in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. 
FAA-2022-1478.

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:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2004-04-09, Amendment 39-13490 (69 FR 9520, 
March 1, 2004) (AD 2004-04-09). AD 2004-04-09 applied to certain P&WC 
JT15D-1, JT15D-1A, and JT15D-1B model turbofan engines. AD 2004-04-09 
required a one-time BSI of the rear face of certain impellers for 
evidence of a machined groove or step, and repair or replacement of the 
impeller if a groove or step is found. The FAA issued AD 2004-04-09 to 
prevent uncontained failure of the impeller and possible damage to the 
airplane.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2022 (87 
FR 69231). The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2022-27, dated May 19, 2022 
(Transport Canada AD CF-2022-27), issued by Transport Canada, which is 
the aviation authority for Canada (referred to after this as the MCAI). 
The MCAI states that there has been one recent in-service event of a 
JT15D-1A engine uncontained failure during a takeoff roll of the 
airplane. An investigation by P&WC has determined that a crack 
originated from machining marks on the back face of the impeller and 
subsequently propagated until the impeller fractured. There is evidence 
that the event engine had been previously inspected in accordance with 
P&WC Service Bulletin (SB) No. JT15D-72-7590, dated May 23, 2003 
(mandated by Transport Canada AD CF-2003-17, dated June 23, 2003), but 
it appears that the machining marks were not detected. P&WC, therefore, 
published P&WC SB JT15D-72-7655, Original Issue, dated April 14, 2022, 
to inspect the rear face of the impeller using a new borescope FPI 
procedure. As a result, Transport Canada issued AD CF-2022-27 to 
require accomplishment of the borescope FPI at the next hot section 
inspection until the impeller, part number 3020365, is replaced at the 
next scheduled engine overhaul.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1478.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require borescope FPI of the rear 
face of certain impellers for evidence of machining witness lines and, 
depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the 
impeller, as specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-27. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    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 MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and 
determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. 
Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2022-27, which specifies 
instructions for performing a one-time inspection of the rear face of 
the impeller and replacing the impeller if unacceptable machining 
witness lines or crack indications are found. Transport Canada AD CF-
2022-27 also specifies instructions for replacing the impeller at the 
next scheduled engine overhaul. 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 
ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 100 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect impeller...................  6 work-hours x $85 per hour              $0            $510         $51,000
                                      = $510.
Replace impeller...................  30 work-hours x $85 per              75,000          77,550       7,755,000
                                      hour = $2,550.
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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

[[Page 11781]]

unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products 
identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA has determined that 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.

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2004-04-09, Amendment 39-13490 (69 
FR 9520, March 1, 2004); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2023-03-12 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Amendment 39-22337; Docket 
No. FAA-2022-1478; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00668-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 31, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2004-04-09, Amendment 39-13490 (69 FR 9520, 
March 1, 2004).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. JT15D-1, JT15D-
1A, and JT15D-1B model turbofan engines as identified in Transport 
Canada AD CF-2022-27, dated May 19, 2022 (Transport Canada AD CF-
2022-27).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by three prior reports of uncontained 
failure of the impeller, and one additional recent report of an in-
service uncontained failure event. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent uncontained failure of the impeller. The unsafe condition, 
if not addressed, could result in fracture of the impeller, 
subsequent uncontained failure of the engine, and damage to the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Perform all 
required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2022-27.

(h) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in Transport Canada 
AD CF-2022-27 specifies to submit certain information to the 
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(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 and email it 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) 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].

(k) 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-2022-27, dated May 19, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2022-27, 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 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 February 7, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-03605 Filed 2-23-23; 8:45 am]
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