[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 129 (Thursday, July 5, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39624-39626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16257]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0416; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-13-AD;
Amendment 39-17078; AD 2012-11-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Turboprop
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW118, PW118A, PW118B, PW119B, PW119C,
PW120, PW120A, PW121, PW121A, PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E,
PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, PW127G, and
PW127M turboprop engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive
inspections of certain serial numbers (S/Ns) of propeller shafts for
cracks and removal from service if found cracked. This AD was prompted
by reports of two propeller shafts found cracked at time of inspection
during maintenance. We are issuing this AD to detect propeller shaft
cracks, which could cause failure of the shaft, propeller release, and
loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 20, 2012.
We must receive comments on this AD by August 20, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of P&WC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW100-72-A21813,
Revision 3, dated March 21, 2012, ASB No. PW100-72-A21802, Revision 4,
dated March 16, 2012, and Special Instruction P&WC 22-2012R2, dated
April 4, 2012, listed in the AD as of July 20, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC
20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
For 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; Web site: www.pwc.ca.
You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations office (phone: 800-647-5527) is the same as the
Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email:
[email protected]; phone: 781-238-7176; fax: 781-238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Canada AD CF-2012-12, dated March 26, 2012 (referred to after
this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
[[Page 39625]]
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
Two PW100 propeller shafts were discovered with cracks during
troubleshooting for oil leakage in the propeller shaft area. The
subsequent investigation has determined that the crack initiation
resulted from a plating repair not performed in accordance with the
current published Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) Cleaning Inspection
and Repair (CIR) Manual. Both propeller shafts that were found with
a circumferential crack had been processed consecutively for nickel
plating repair at the same repair facility.
P&WC had initially identified 24 high-risk propeller shafts that
were repaired by the same facility and accordingly, issued Service
Bulletin (SB) No. A21802 in May 2011 to remove those 24 units from
service. Nineteen of those units were removed and the remaining 5
are confirmed to not be installed on any serviceable aircraft.
Further investigation by P&WC indicated that the lack of full
conformity with the CIR procedure may not have been limited to one
vendor only. As a result P&WC identified a total of 203 (24 + 179)
suspect units that may not have been repaired in accordance with CIR
procedures.
This AD addresses the entire 203 article population. P&WC has issued
service information to address all of the affected propeller shafts,
since the first two cracked propeller shafts were discovered.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
P&WC has issued ASB No. PW100-72-A21813, Revision 3, dated March
21, 2012 and ASB No. PW100-72-A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 2012.
These ASBs provide instructions on replacing the affected propeller
shafts that are identified by S/N in the ASBs. P&WC has also issued
Special Instruction P&WC 22-2012R2, dated April 4, 2012, which provides
instructions on performing ultrasonic inspections to the affected
propeller shafts. The actions described in that service information are
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of Canada,
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with Canada, they have notified us of the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced
above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information
provided by Canada and determined the unsafe condition exists and is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
This AD requires within 30 days after the effective date of the AD,
removing from service propeller shafts with a S/N listed in Table 1 of
P&WC ASB No. PW100-72-A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 2012. These
propeller shafts are the highest-risk propeller shafts.
This AD also requires within 200 engine flight hours (EFH) or 40
days, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD,
performing an initial, and repetitive visual inspections or ultrasonic
inspections of propeller shafts with a S/N listed in Table 1 or Table 2
of P&WC ASB No. PW100-72-A21813, Revision 3, dated March 21, 2012.
These propeller shafts are not as high a risk.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the
compliance requirements are within 30 days or less, depending on
airplane usage. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity
for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that
good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30
days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0416; Directorate
Identifier 2012-NE-13-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the
Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets,
including, if provided, the name of the individual who sent the comment
(or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor
union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement
in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).
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.
We are 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.
Differences Between the MCAI and This AD
The PW126, PW127B, PW127H, and PW127J model engines listed in the
MCAI are not included in this AD because they are not subject to FAA
oversight.
The MCAI requires retirement of all subject propeller shafts within
12 months. This AD does not. However, that requirement may be added at
a later date as required terminating action.
Regulatory Findings
We 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 this AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
[[Page 39626]]
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 AD:
2012-11-14 Pratt & Whitney Canada: Amendment 39-17078; Docket No.
FAA-2012-0416; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-13-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 20,
2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW118,
PW118A, PW118B, PW119B, PW119C, PW120, PW120A, PW121, PW121A, PW123,
PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A,
PW127, PW127E, PW127F, PW127G, and PW127M turboprop engines, with
the serial number (S/N) propeller shafts listed in P&WC Alert
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW100-72-A21813, Revision 3, dated March
21, 2012, and ASB No. PW100-72-A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16,
2012.
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of two propeller shafts found
cracked at time of inspection during maintenance. We are issuing
this AD to detect propeller shaft cracks, which could cause failure
of the shaft, propeller release, and loss of control of the
airplane.
(e) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions.
(f) Inspecting and Removing Propeller Shafts
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, remove
from service propeller shafts with an S/N listed in Table 1 of P&WC
ASB No. PW100-72-A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 2012.
(2) For propeller shafts with a S/N listed in Table 1 or Table 2
of P&WC ASB No. PW100-72-A21813, Revision 3, dated March 21, 2012:
(i) Within 200 engine flight hours (EFH) or 40 days, whichever
occurs first after the effective date of this AD, perform either an
initial visual inspection or an initial ultrasonic inspection (UI)
for cracks, in accordance with paragraphs 3.C.(1) through
3.C.(1)(a), and 3.C.(2) of P&WC ASB No. PW100-72-A21813, Revision 3,
dated March 21, 2012, and Section 9 of P&WC Special Instruction (SI)
P&WC 22-2012R2, dated April 4, 2012.
(ii) If the visual inspection was performed, repeat the visual
inspection within 50 EFH after the initial inspection, and
thereafter every 10 EFH, until the propeller shaft is removed from
service.
(iii) If the UI was performed, repeat the UI at intervals not to
exceed 1,000 EFH, until the propeller shaft is removed from service.
(3) If a crack is found during any of the inspections required
by this AD, remove the propeller shaft from service before the next
flight.
(g) Installation Prohibition
After the effective date of this AD, do not install any
propeller shaft S/Ns listed in Table 1 of P&WC ASB No. PW100-72-
A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 2012, into any engine.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for
this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request.
(i) Special Flight Permit
No special flight permits will be issued for this AD.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact James Lawrence,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; email: [email protected]; phone 781-238-7176; fax 781-
238-7199.
(2) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2012-12, dated March 26,
2012, for related information.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service
information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use the following service information to do the
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Pratt & Whitney Canada Alert Service Bulletin No. PW100-72-
A21813, Revision 3, dated March 21, 2012.
(ii) Pratt & Whitney Canada Alert Service Bulletin No. PW100-72-
A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 2012.
(iii) Pratt & Whitney Canada Special Instruction P&WC 22-2012R2,
dated April 4, 2012.
(3) For 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; Web site:
www.pwc.ca.
(4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
(5) You may also review copies of the service information
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 May 31, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-16257 Filed 7-3-12; 8:45 am]
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